YearToAvoid

2022 Kia Forte Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#15 most-complained of 15 Forte years

The 2022 Kia Forte ranks best among 15 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 0 and 27 complaints logged. It has one recall, for a steering column bolt, and no do-not-drive recalls. Engine issues make up the largest share of complaints at 26%.

Complaints
27
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
3 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
31.5
28 city / 37 hwy

Top 2022 Kia Forte problems

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

  1. Other9 (33%)
  2. Engine7 (26%)
  3. Electrical System4 (15%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (15%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (15%)
  6. Steering3 (11%)
  7. Airbags2 (7%)
  8. Brakes2 (7%)
  9. Fuel System2 (7%)
  10. Seat Belts2 (7%)

What owners report

  • Some owners report the engine suddenly revving with no driver input, followed by warning lights and stalling, in one case tied to a faulty engine pulley and overheating.
  • Owners describe the engine seizing or losing power at low speed, with a dashboard message telling them to restart the vehicle, sometimes recurring multiple times.
  • One owner reported oil pressure warnings, an oil puddle under the car, and a loss of power while driving 35–40 MPH, traced to the oil drain plug.
  • Owners describe airbags failing to deploy during crashes, including a front/side impact and a slide off an icy road into a tree.
  • One owner reported the steering wheel behaving unpredictably before a crash, despite a prior repair related to the steering recall.
  • Owners describe the forward collision assist system causing sudden, unstable shutdowns and erratic behavior while driving.
2022 Kia Forte complaints: complaints filed per month5Dec 2021Apr 2023Oct 2023Feb 2024Apr 2025Jan 2026Jul 2026
43 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Dec 2025 (5).

2022 Kia Forte recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V304000May 5, 2022Steering30 vehicles

    Steering:column

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.

    Risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.

2022 Kia Forte fuel economy and fuel cost

City
28 MPG
Highway
37 MPG
Combined
31.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,050
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.

2022 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
2020Best1476031
2021Best2168231
2022Best027131.5
2023Caution64623 !31
2024Best725031

All Kia Forte years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Kia Forte reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2022 Forte ranks best (rank 15 of 15 tracked years, worst-first) with a complaint index of 0 and only 27 complaints logged.
What is the biggest problem with the 2022 Kia Forte?
Engine problems are the top complaint area, accounting for 26% of complaints (7 of 27), with a median failure mileage of 12,800 miles.
Does the 2022 Kia Forte have a recall?
Yes, one recall (22V304000) covers a steering column bolt that may not be secured properly, which could let the steering column detach from the steering rack. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2022 Kia Forte compare to other Forte years?
With a complaint index of 0, the 2022 Forte compares favorably to years like 2014 (complaint index 100) and 2017 (complaint index 93), which rank among the worst Forte years.

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.