2018 Kia Forte: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Kia Forte: 3 recalls, 136 owner complaints and up to 32 mpg combined.
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Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #21V260000 · 2021 · 4,069 vehicles
What's wrong: 0l nu mpi engine. Foreign particles May stick inside the oil pump, which May cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
Why it matters: A damaged engine May stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #21V622000 · 2021 · 253,074 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 Safety Standard number 401, "internal trunk release."
Why it matters: A person inside the trunk compartment May become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022.
Airbags Vehicle recall #22V031000 · 2022 · 410,619 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Why it matters: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the acu, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (57): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (26), warning light on (24), noise or vibration (10).
- Other / unknown (30): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (7), warning light on (2).
- Airbags (16): the most common themes are fails to deploy (4).
- Electrical (16): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), electrical failure (2).
The 2018 Kia Forte has 136 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 16 Forte model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 160). Complaints peaked in 2024 (26 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 33,937 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (305 complaints, 3 recalls), 2019 (147 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 37 | 32 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 34 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
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 2018 Kia Forte.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Kia Forte have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Kia Forte. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Kia Forte problems?
Owners have filed 136 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (57), other / unknown (30), airbags (16).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia Forte get?
EPA ratings run up to 32 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S6)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Kia Forte repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.