Kia Forte Best and Worst Years (2010–2024)
Kia Forte years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2017, led by 2014 with a complaint index of 100 and 442 complaints. Best years are 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024, all with complaint indexes under 21. Engine problems dominate every avoid year.
Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2014Avoid 2017Best 2020Best 2021Best 2022Best 2024
- Model years
- 15
- 2010–2024
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,537
- Recall campaigns
- 18
- Crashes reported
- 236
- Fires reported
- 137
- Top problem area
- Engine
Forte Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Kia Forte problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Caution | 50 | 218 | 21 | 4 | 3 | Engine | 28 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 79 | 153 | 28 | 12 | 3 | Engine | 28 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 86 | 292 | 20 | 23 | 4 | Engine | 28 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 57 | 195 | 16 | 13 | 5 | Engine | 28 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 100 | 442 | 32 | 36 | 3 | Engine | 28 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 71 | 259 | 16 | 20 | 1 | Engine | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 36 | 135 | 16 | 6 | 1 | Engine | 28 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 93 | 302 | 23 | 9 | 3 | Engine | 28 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 29 | 136 | 13 | 3 | 3 | Engine | 28 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 43 | 147 | 11 | 4 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 34 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Best | 14 | 76 | 9 | 2 | 0 | Engine | 31 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Best | 21 | 68 | 11 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 31 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Best | 0 | 27 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 31.5 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Caution | 64 | 62 | 11 | 4 | 3 ! | Steering | 31 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Best | 7 | 25 | 6 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 31 | 4★ |
Forte years to avoid: what went wrong
2014 Kia Forte Index 100 · 442 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2014 Forte is the worst year in the lineup, with a complaint index of 100 and 442 complaints, the highest total of any year. Engine issues represent 51% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 92,746, followed by electrical system and steering problems. NHTSA logged 36 fires and 32 crashes for this year. Three recalls apply, including an engine fire risk, a brake pedal stopper pad defect, and a cooling fan resistor that could overheat and melt.
2014 engine problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 steering problems →
2017 Kia Forte Index 93 · 302 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2017 Forte ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 93 and 302 complaints, plus four deaths reported. Engine problems make up 54% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 75,000, and electrical system issues follow at 25%. Three recalls apply, including an airbag control unit software issue, a trunk latch that could trap occupants, and an oil pump failure risk on the 2.0L Nu MPI engine.
2017 engine problems →2017 electrical system problems →2017 fuel system problems →
2012 Kia Forte Index 86 · 292 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2012 Forte has a complaint index of 86 and 292 complaints, the third-worst in the lineup. Engine problems make up 58% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 100,000. NHTSA recorded 23 fires and three deaths for this year. Three recalls apply, covering brake pedal-related issues, an engine compartment fire risk, and the airbag control unit short-circuit problem shared with other early Forte years.
2012 engine problems →2012 brakes problems →2012 electrical system problems →
2011 Kia Forte Index 79 · 153 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2011 Forte carries a complaint index of 79 with 153 complaints. Engine issues account for 37% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 90,850, and owners also reported brakes and electrical system problems. NHTSA lists three recalls, including an airbag control unit issue that could short circuit in a crash and a transmission cooler hose that was improperly mounted. Crash and fire counts are elevated for this year, and one death is recorded.
2011 engine problems →2011 airbags problems →2011 brakes problems →
Most common Kia Forte problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine1,239 (49%)
- Electrical System438 (17%)
- Other334 (13%)
- Airbags294 (12%)
- Brakes239 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain215 (8%)
- Steering163 (6%)
- Fuel System125 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires123 (5%)
- Structure & Body105 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Kia Forte should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2017 Kia Forte are the years to avoid, with 2014 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 442 total complaints.
- What is the best year for a Kia Forte?
- The 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024 Kia Forte are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 14, 21, 0, and 7 respectively, far lower than the avoid years.
- What is the most common problem with the Kia Forte?
- Engine issues are the top problem area across all Forte years, accounting for 1,239 of 2,537 total complaints, or 49%.
- Does the Kia Forte have engine fire recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 20V750000 covers 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup models for engine compartment fire risk, part of the model's 18 total recall campaigns.
- Is the 2014 Kia Forte reliable?
- The 2014 Forte has the highest complaint index (100) and complaint count (442) among all Forte years, making it the worst year relative to the rest of the model's history.