2015 Kia Forte Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Kia Forte has 259 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 73, ranking 5th worst out of 16 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems, including under-hood fires, dominate at 63% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #5 of 16 Forte years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 259
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 20
- Injuries
- 11
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28.5
- 25 city / 34.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 11 / 1
Top 2015 Kia Forte problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine163 (63%)
- Electrical System37 (14%)
- Other31 (12%)
- Airbags23 (9%)
- Brakes17 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (7%)
- Fuel System10 (4%)
- Steering4 (2%)
- Structure & Body4 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartment fires break out while driving, sometimes with smoke coming through the vents and the vehicle stalling first.
- Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-to-severe frontal or rollover crashes, including collisions with animals and other vehicles.
- Ignition or starter components emit a burning smell and shock the driver, with the vehicle sometimes failing to start intermittently afterward.
- A burning odor spreads through the cabin at various speeds along with intermittent failure of the brake lights.
- Engine stalls or shuts off completely at highway speed before smoke or fire appears under the hood.
2015 Kia Forte recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V750000Dec 2, 2020Engine294,756 vehicles
Engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
2015 Kia Forte fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 34.5 MPG
- Combined
- 28.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,275
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other Forte years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Kia Forte reliable?
- NHTSA lists 259 complaints for the 2015 Forte, giving it a complaint index of 73 and a Caution verdict. It ranks 5th worst among the 16 model years covered.
- What is the main problem with the 2015 Kia Forte?
- Engine problems account for 63% of complaints (163 of 259), including 16 reported fires and 4 crashes tied to the engine.
- Does the 2015 Kia Forte have a recall?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 20V750000) covers engine compartment fires; Kia dealers inspect for fuel or oil leaks and perform repairs.
- At what mileage do 2015 Kia Forte problems usually appear?
- NHTSA data show a median mileage of 75,000 miles across all failure types for this year, with engine-related failures showing a median of 86,000 miles.
- Is the 2015 Forte better or worse than other Forte years?
- It's worse than the 2016 through 2022 model years, which score Good or Best, but better than the 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2017 Forte, which are rated Avoid.