The best Forte years to buy are 2016 and 2021. Avoid the 2012 and 2014: engine failures, steering couplers and fires give them the most complaints.
Best years: 20162021 Years to avoid: 20122014
Every Forte year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known Forte problems
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 26 | - | 0 | Other | Too new to judge |
| 2023 | 66 | - | 3 | Steering | Too new to judge |
| 2022 | 28 | 26 | 1 | Other | Good year |
| 2021 | 69 | 61 | 2 | Engine | Good buy |
| 2020 | 78 | 92 | 0 | Other | Good year |
| 2019 | 150 | 157 | 2 | Transmission and drivetrain | Good year |
| 2018 | 136 | 133 | 3 | Engine | Good year |
| 2017 | 305 | 259 | 3 | Engine | Average |
| 2016 | 139 | 135 | 1 | Engine | Good buy |
| 2015 | 262 | 332 | 1 | Engine | Average |
| 2014 | 445 | 642 | 3 | Engine | Skip this year |
| 2013 | 211 | 319 | 5 | Engine | Average |
| 2012 | 307 | 406 | 4 | Engine | Skip this year |
About the Forte
The Forte is Kia's compact sedan. The 2010-2016 cars share Kia's engine problems, with knocking and engine failures, steering coupler wear and fire reports. Later Fortes have far fewer complaints, though some 2020-2022 cars report engine failures and theft vulnerability.
- 2010-2013: First generation. Engine failures and fires.
- 2014-2018: Second generation. Engine and steering coupler faults on 2014.
- 2019 on: Third generation. Low complaint rate.
Forte warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Kia files with NHTSA. 421 Forte bulletins are on file in total.
WARRANTY EXTENSION - NOTICE TO DEALER PRINCIPALS - This document is notice to the dealer principals of the warranty extension on the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly on 2012-2013 MY Rio and 2014-2015 MY Forte and For...
WARRANTY EXTENSION - NOTICE TO DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGERS - This document is notice to the dealer parts and service managers of the warranty extension on the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly on 2012-2013 MY Ri...
WARRANTY EXTENSION: QA - This document is the frequently asked question and answer document for the warranty extension (WTY017) on the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly to fifteen (15) years with unlimited mileage, st...
WARRANTY EXTENSION - NOTICE TO Forte AND Forte KOUP VEHICLE OWNERS - This document is notice to the owners of the 2014-2015 MY Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles of the warranty extension on the driver's front airbag clock sprin...
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM: This document is the Request for Reimbursement form for the 2014-2015 MY Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicle owners to use in the event they incurred expenses related to this Extended Warranty Progr...
CLOCKSPRING REPLACEMENT FOR AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DTC B1346/B1481 - This bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the drivers airbag clock spring assembly on some 2012-2013MY Rio (UB) and 2014-2015MY Forte/...
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the Forte
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Audit query AQ23002 · 2012, 2013 · opened Nov 2023
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc.
Defect petition DP22003 · 2012, 2013, 2015 · opened Sep 2022, closed Dec 2023
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc.
Engineering analysis EA21003 · 2012–2015 · opened Dec 2021, closed Feb 2024 · led to recall 23V877
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
Engineering analysis EA19001 · 2013 · opened Apr 2019, closed Sep 2024 · led to recall 20V024
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.
Preliminary evaluation PE18003 · 2012, 2013 · opened Mar 2018, closed Aug 2019 · led to recall 18E043000
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy.
Forte vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Kia Forte?
2016 and 2021. The best Forte years to buy are 2016 and 2021. Avoid the 2012 and 2014: engine failures, steering couplers and fires give them the most complaints.
Which Kia Forte years should I avoid?
2012, 2014. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Kia Forte average.
Is the Kia Forte engine covered by a recall?
Some 2012-2016 Fortes are included in Kia's engine recalls and warranty extension after a knock sensor software update. Check the VIN at a Kia dealer.
Based on 2,222 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2012 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.