YearToAvoid

2020 Kia Forte Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

14/100

#13 most-complained of 15 Forte years

The 2020 Kia Forte ranks as one of the best Forte years, with a Complaint Index of 14 and rank 13 out of 15 model years (13th worst, meaning near the bottom of the list). It has 76 complaints, 0 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, well below years like 2014 (index 100) and 2017 (index 93).

Complaints
76
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
9 / 2
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
31
27 city / 37 hwy

Top 2020 Kia Forte problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other26 (34%)
  2. Engine25 (33%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain16 (21%)
  4. Electrical System12 (16%)
  5. Airbags5 (7%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (7%)
  7. Fuel System3 (4%)
  8. Lane Departure3 (4%)
  9. Steering3 (4%)
  10. Brakes2 (3%)

What owners report

  • Engine problems reported by owners include sudden stalling with dashboard warning lights and, in one case, an engine fire that spread to the front of the vehicle.
  • Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crash reports, including a deer-strike incident at 55,000 miles and a rear-end collision.
  • Transmission and powertrain complaints describe unintended vehicle movement, including a car rolling backward while in park and hitting its owner, and hesitant acceleration when pulling into traffic.
  • Electrical system complaints describe the steering wheel, key, and controls locking up during slow-speed reversing, sometimes repeatedly.
  • Brake complaints describe stiff steering combined with brakes that owners say seemed to increase speed instead of slowing the car.
2020 Kia Forte complaints: complaints filed per month6Sep 2019May 2021Feb 2022Jun 2023Feb 2024Jan 2025Sep 2025Jun 2026
104 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Jun 2025 (6).

2020 Kia Forte recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2020 Kia Forte fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
37 MPG
Combined
31 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,100
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.

2020 compared with other Forte years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Good29136328
2019Good43147234
2020Best1476031
2021Best2168231
2022Best027131.5

All Kia Forte years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Kia Forte reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Forte performs well compared to other Forte years. It has a Complaint Index of 14, ranks 13th worst out of 15 model years, and carries a 'Best' verdict.
Does the 2020 Kia Forte have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2020 Kia Forte, including 0 do-not-drive recalls.
What is the biggest problem area for the 2020 Kia Forte?
Engine complaints are the top problem area, making up 33% of the 76 complaints filed, with a median mileage at failure of 77,854.5 miles.
How does the 2020 Forte compare to other model years?
The 2020 Forte's Complaint Index of 14 is much lower than the worst years, such as 2014 (100) and 2017 (93), and is close to other strong years like 2021 (21) and 2022 (0).
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Kia Forte?
EPA rates the 2020 Kia Forte at 31 mpg combined (27 city / 37 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,100.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.