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Kia Forte 2014–2018 (YD)

Kia Forte
Photo: Damian B Oh · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Price
$15,900–$22,700
MPG
32
  • Strength: Excellent safety
  • Strength: Strong running costs
  • Watch-out: Below-average cargo & utility
  • Watch-out: Below-average driving fun
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How it scores for you10 scores
A crash-test standout with cheap running costs, but nagging engine complaints and forgettable driving make it a safe-first budget pick rather than a joy.
Reliability44

Recalled about half as often as cars of the same model years; 1 of its 4 recalls was serious. About 9% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -6 points for its wider reputation.

Safety100

5-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 4, side 5, rollover 4).

Running costs70

About $2,100 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 70% of cars we track.

Cargo & utility32

14.9 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 32% of other sedans we track.

Passenger space50

Standard 5-seat compact sedan layout with 14.9 cu ft trunk. Space is typical for the segment, adequate for four adults.

Driving fun38

Basic economy sedan with 145 hp, FWD only, and comfort-oriented tuning. Adequate but uninspiring; not a driver's car by any measure.

Tech42

For its era, the Forte offered available UVO infotainment and modest features, but as a budget compact its tech is below segment-average by current standards.

Comfort48

Typical compact sedan ride comfort. Decent seating and quiet cabin for the class, but nothing standout; roughly segment-average.

Value retention55

Typical resale value for a sedan.

Capability0

No published tow rating; front- or rear-wheel drive only.

Safety & recalls8 recalls
Overall 5/5
Frontal 4/5
Side 5/5
Rollover 4/5

8 recalls · 6 common complaint areas across 2015–2018

  • Engine — 129 complaints (2015)
  • Recall — Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: pump (2018)
  • Engine — 97 complaints (2017)

2018

  • RecallEngine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: pump21V260000

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.

  • RecallLatches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: LATCH21V622000

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle

  • RecallAirbags22V031000

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air

  • Complaint clusterEngine38 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    Recently, while my boyfriend was driving my vehicle, the engine suddenly lost power without warning. He had the accelerator pedal fully depressed, yet the vehicle would barely move. He was fortunate to safely maneuver the vehicle off the road. Upon inspection, he discovered there was no oil present

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other22 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Engine would run fast and then sound like was going to stop and then it would start shaking and rumbling while driving on highway and in town. Car would stall while at a stop. Gas smells inside the car. Did not feel safe driving. Had the car towed to an independent garage on February 7th and They d

  • Complaint clusterElectrical14 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    ABS light, parking break light, tire pressure light, ESC light, and outdoor temperature and climate control all flicker and the speedometer stops working. Multiple cars with same make and model have same issue and are constantly in and out of the dealer with the issue unresolved.

  • Complaint clusterAirbags14 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS

    The engine went out in the middle of a busy highway road leading to a dangerous situation that I almost lost my life the vehicle was purchased in 2021. There shouldn’t be no reason that the engine should have went out that quickly when maintenance was kept up not only that there was an airbag defect

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain8 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    While driving the car with the flow of busy traffic, the engine failed and the car stopped. It eventually turn back on (side of the road) but now drives with hesitation, a strange noise, and with the engine light on. This cycle continued until we arrived at the repair shop. And after much research,

2017

  • RecallEngine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: pump21V260000

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.

  • RecallLatches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: LATCH21V622000

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle

  • RecallAirbags22V031000

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air

  • Complaint clusterEngine97 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    The contact owns a 2017 KIA Forte. The contact stated while operating the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was misfiring, severely shaking and was losing motive power suddenly while operating on multiple constantly for about 3 weeks, and state she noticed a check engine warning light ill

  • Complaint clusterElectrical43 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    The vehicle exhibits a chronic, systemic electrical failure characterized by the intermittent loss of critical lighting systems, including turn signals and brake lights. This failur5e has persisted over several years and thousands of miles, independent of battery replacements or specific usage patte

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other35 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    The vehicle went into Tasca Kia for a cam shaft replacement, this did not fix the issue and the vehicle needed an entire engine replacement under power train warranty. Since then, the vehicle has continuously stalled. The vehicle is not indicating a reason for stalling, it is documented in video, an

  • Complaint clusterExterior lighting29 complaintscomplaints:EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    Break lights, running lights and headlights go out at least every three months at different times. Apparently it’s a common problem with these cars when I go to online forums and I have recently been contacted by a class action attorney that wants to investigate. I have had to replace rear bulb sock

  • Complaint clusterAirbags16 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS

    Kia has common problems on the airbags even tho my air bags is good but I want to still check it

2016

  • RecallLatches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: LATCH21V622000

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle

  • Complaint clusterEngine44 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    Im getting denied dued to engine failure but whoever had the vehicle before didn't follow up with the ksds update, I just purchased the vehicle on June 30th,2026, I need this fixed ASAP because I still owe on this car.

  • Complaint clusterElectrical17 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    The Headlights and ALL exterior lights FLICKER or TURN OFF ENTIRELY while driving, especially when touching the Multi-Function Turn Signal Stalk to signal a turn. This can and HAS happened when the Headlights are switched on any mode: MARKER LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, or AUTO. I can be driving, Headlights

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain16 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    1. NHTSA Safety Complaint Draft Vehicle Info: Make: Kia Model: Forte5 SX Year: 2016 VIN: [XXX] Engine: 1.6L GDI (G4FJ Nu engine) Issue: This vehicle uses the 1.6L GDI Nu engine (engine code G4FJ), which is the same engine involved in Kia’s engine defect recalls and class action settlements relate

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other12 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    This is a paint issue.

  • Complaint clusterAirbags11 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS

    I am filing a formal complaint regarding serious safety and mechanical problems with my vehicle. The brakes do not function properly and I have to add brake fluid every few days, which indicates a possible leak or brake system failure. This creates an extremely dangerous driving condition. The vehic

2015

  • RecallEngine20V750000

    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.

  • Complaint clusterEngine129 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    While driving my 2015 Kia Forte5 at approximately 80 mph on GA-400, I was traveling in the far-left lane when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly lost acceleration and engine power. Pressing the accelerator produced little to no response. There was no gradual reduction in speed or sufficient warni

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other25 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    I had a crack in my windshield. I called Safelite to come out and replace my windshield tape got left behind on the windshield and the roof of my car. I removed the tape and it brought the paint with it. I’ve been contacted safe flight and they told me that there was a recall on the white paint for

  • Complaint clusterElectrical24 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that an anti-theft protection software update was performed in 2024. After the update was performed, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly turned off without warning. The transmission was shifted into neutral(N) and restarted

  • Complaint clusterAirbags20 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS

    Plese can you fex may car

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain17 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    I own a 2015 Kia Forte (VIN: [XXX] ) that experienced complete engine failure. The vehicle had been running normally until it began stalling and sputtering while driving. Shortly after, the engine would only run for 1–2 seconds before shutting off entirely. This exact issue mirrors those documented

Cost to own$15,900 / 5 yr

MSRP, new

$15,900–$22,700

Estimated used price, by model year

2018$9,200–$10,800
2017$7,700–$9,100
2016$6,400–$7,500
2015$5,200–$6,100

$2,100/yr

EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.

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Specs
MSRPNew $15,900–$22,700
Efficiency32 MPG
Seats5
DrivetrainFWD
PowertrainGas

City MPG

29

Highway MPG

38

Combined MPG

32

Horsepower

145 hp

Doors

4

Length

179.5 in

Width

70.1 in

Height

56.3 in

Wheelbase

106.3 in

Curb weight

2,906 lb

Cargo volume

14.9 cu ft

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