Sedan · Gas
Kia Forte 2019–2026 (BD)
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- Take the quiz
- Price
- $17,900–$25,000
- MPG
- 35
- Strength: Excellent safety
- Strength: Strong running costs
- Watch-out: Below-average driving fun
How it scores for you10 scores
A frugal, high-safety compact sedan that trades driving excitement and towing for solid reliability, though power train complaints warrant a look.
Recalled far less often than cars of the same model years; 2 of its 7 recalls were serious. About 11% 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 -3 points for its wider reputation.
4-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 4, side 5, rollover 4).
About $1,900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 76% of cars we track.
15.3 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 53% of other sedans we track.
Seats 5 with 15.3 cu ft trunk, generous for a compact sedan. Rear legroom is competitive, making it slightly better than segment norm for cargo.
147 hp with FWD and economy focus makes the base Forte adequate but unexciting. Not aimed at enthusiasts; the GT trim adds pep but isn't reflected in these base specs.
Kia offers competitive infotainment with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and available driver aids, but base specs here are typical compact-car tech, roughly segment-average.
Segment-typical ride and cabin. Efficient and quiet enough for a compact, but no premium comfort features indicated; average for the class.
Typical resale value for a sedan.
No published tow rating; front- or rear-wheel drive only.
Safety & recalls8 recalls
8 recalls · 7 common complaint areas across 2019–2024
- Powertrain — 46 complaints (2019)
- Recall — Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm (2023)
- Unknown or other — 23 complaints (2020)
2026
No recorded issues.
2025
No recorded issues.
2024
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other7 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car suddenly accelerated while I was pulling into my canopy carport causing me to crash into an old basketball goal and then the wall of my cottage. When this happened I was slowly pulling in to park when the car suddenly accelerated on its own and kept moving forward despite me pressing the brak
- Complaint clusterElectrical6 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Coolant is burning and going into the oil in the engine. Occupancy indicator is malfunctioning causing a drastic amount of liability for death
2023
- RecallSteering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm22V906000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front left steering knuckle may crack, which can result in a loss of steering control.
- RecallSuspension: front: control arm: lower arm23V649000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
- RecallSuspension: front: control arm: lower arm24V244000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
- Complaint clusterSteering14 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
Unknown. During a basic collision Avoidance maneuver performed by myself on the highway at speed of aprox 60MPH the steering suddenly became non-responsive, resulting in my inability to maintain directional control and cause a collision. The vehicle continued traveling before coming to its final r
- Complaint clusterElectrical8 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Electrical system failed while operating vehicle on major highway. All lights flashed, system shut off, power steering locked up.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain7 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other5 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The A/C compressor field coil assembly failed on my 2023 Kia Forte. The air conditioning system is completely inoperative. The vehicle is currently [at my residence / at the dealership - specify location] and the component is available for inspection upon request. 1 This is a documented issue. Kia
2022
- RecallSteering: column22V304000
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.
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other6 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Air compressor broken Backup camera not working
2021
- RecallAirbags: air bag/restraint control module; air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger21V164000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of
- RecallSteering: column22V304000
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.
- Complaint clusterEngine15 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
Driving under normal conditions April 20,2026, on the way to school. Got off the freeway and the vehicle immediately shut-off and the check engine light came on. Vehicle was stuck partially in the roadway and would not move. Vehicle was towed to Kia dealership and they found that there was no oil
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other13 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This car was sold to me without disclosing that the manufacture failed to have a engine security system on the car to at least "deter" auto theft.If the key to the car was programmed/chipped like other cars, it would provide at least some level of protection. I've already stopped car thieves from t
- Complaint clusterSteering9 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
The contact owned a 2021 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the steering wheel locked independently, causing the vehicle to veer off the road into a construction site. The contact stated that the air bags did deploy. The contact stated that she sustained noise and neck injur
- Complaint clusterPowertrain7 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
Transmission, yes it’s available. I was driving on the highway and the vehicle began jerking and revving, slowing down and then speeding up. It is at a service center now. Now lamps
- Complaint clusterAirbags5 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
Passenger air bag/seat belt goes off like someone is sitting in passenger seat but no one is. Have to do seat belt for the alert stops
2020
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other23 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The infotainment screen is de-laminating.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain16 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
I experienced a check engine light and had the vehicle diagnosed with codes P0017 and P0014. The vehicle was taken to a Kia dealership, where the technician found that the exhaust camshaft was free-spinning without the phaser and that the pin connecting the two had sheared. The dealership replaced t
- Complaint clusterEngine11 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
Engine burning excessive oil over a quart in 1000 miles. Catalytic converter code P0420 because of the excessive oil burning. Oil was always changed within the specified dealer milage range.
- Complaint clusterElectrical8 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The crankshaft position sensor keeps going bad and it make the forward collision trigger and it loses power and the dash stops working and causes the car to shut off
- Complaint clusterAirbags5 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bags warning light illuminated and then went off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the air bag warning light was again illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or
2019
- RecallExterior lighting: headlights18V771000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Kia Forte vehicles equipped with LED headlights. The headlights may not have been manufactured with the correct low beam aiming. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 1
- RecallPowertrain: axle assembly: axle shaft20V459000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Forte vehicles. The left front axle driveshaft may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to break.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain46 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
The transmission had a recall 2 years ago and they gave me a new one (KIA). I am having issues with my transmission again
- Complaint clusterEngine21 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
recommended engine replacement at 111,000 miles
- Complaint clusterElectrical20 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Power loss, engine failure. Will not start
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other14 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
As I was driving on the turnpike the car engine literally just shut down on me! It could have caused a serious accident. This is the 3rd time when driving the car just stopped on its own on me! Gas tank full, oil good and battery good, but the engine is not! It gave me NO WARNING either. THIS SHOULD
- Complaint clusterExterior lighting8 complaintscomplaints:EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact was notified by her son that the third brake light was burned and was melting. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and suggested that a diagnostic test be performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The man
Cost to own$17,200 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$17,900–$25,000
Estimated used price, by model year
$1,900/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
31
Highway MPG
41
Combined MPG
35
Horsepower
147 hp
Doors
4
Length
182.7 in
Width
70.9 in
Height
56.7 in
Wheelbase
106.3 in
Curb weight
2,769 lb
Cargo volume
15.3 cu ft
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