Kia Forte problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every Forte from 2009 to 2024: 2,555 owner complaints and 34 recalls across 16 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2014 (444), 2017 (305), 2012 (292). Best fuel economy: 34 mpg combined (2019).

Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 2010 | 3 | 221 | 30 | |
| 2011 | 3 | 153 | 29 | |
| 2012 | 4 | 292 | 29 | |
| 2013 | 5 | 195 | 29 | |
| 2014 | 3 | 444 | 29 | |
| 2015 | 1 | 260 | 30 | |
| 2016 | 1 | 136 | 30 | |
| 2017 | 3 | 305 | 32 | |
| 2018 | 3 | 136 | 32 | |
| 2019 | 2 | 147 | 34 | |
| 2020 | 0 | 78 | 33 | |
| 2021 | 2 | 69 | 33 | |
| 2022 | 1 | 28 | 33 | |
| 2023 | 3 | 64 | 32 | |
| 2024 | 0 | 26 | 32 |
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Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Kia Forte.
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FAQ
What is the worst year for the Kia Forte?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2014 (444), 2017 (305), 2012 (292).
How many recalls has the Kia Forte had?
Across 2009–2024, NHTSA lists 34 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).