Last updated: 2026-10-10
Kia Forte Reliability by Year
Used KIA Forte reliability is good, with repair costs below the compact average. The 2024 is the pick, and the 2018 is the year to skip.
Kia Forte Reliability Overview
Repair costs run below the compact average, and the Forte holds a good standing among sedans. Favor the 2024 model year and treat 2018 with caution. Sudden engine failure, often with no oil warning light, is the biggest worry on older cars. Shifting trouble in the power train, such as skipped gears and a shifter stuck in Drive, is the other problem to check.
Current generation: 3rd gen (2019–2024), facelifted 2021.
Best & Worst Kia Forte Years
Best Kia Forte Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreCompared with 2018, the 2024 has far fewer owner complaints and no recalls in federal records, and its filings do not center on engine failure. It has also had less time on the road, so its record is still short. Electrical shutoffs while driving are worth checking on any 2024 you consider.
Kia Forte Years to Avoid
Engines are the main trouble. Owners describe stalling at stops, power loss while merging, and knocking before the engine quits. Many say oil ran low with no warning light. Failures cluster between 67,000 and 90,000 miles. Airbag reports, including cases where bags did not deploy in crashes, make this year riskier still.
Kia Forte Reliability Score Trend
Kia Forte reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 72/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 67/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 78/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2024 Kia Forte
0 recalls · 20 complaints
Final third-generation year and the best of seven scored Forte years, with no recalls, though owners report engine shutoffs and airbag faults.
2023 Kia Forte
3 recalls · 53 complaints
Good standing, but more complaints than the 2022 and 2024 models, led by a rightward steering pull, with three recalls and two of them do-not-drive.
2022 Kia Forte
1 recalls · 22 complaints
Rates better than the 2021 and 2023 models with far fewer complaints, though steering looseness and one steering recall are the main concerns.
2021 Kia Forte
2 recalls · 64 complaints
Middle of the pack among Forte years, with good standing but a heavy oil use and engine failure pattern, plus two recalls for steering and air bags.
2020 Kia Forte
0 recalls · 63 complaints
Stronger than the 2019 and 2021 and free of recalls, though transmission slipping between 70,000 and 88,000 miles is the main owner complaint.
2019 Kia Forte
2 recalls · 140 complaints
First year of the third generation, with early transmission failures and two recalls, while the 2020 has fewer complaints and no recalls.
2018 Kia Forte
3 recalls · 133 complaints
Weakest of the seven scored Forte years, with sudden engine failure and air bag complaints driving most owner reports.
Viewing a Kia Forte soon? Use a printable inspection checklist for its model year.
Found Your Kia Forte? Check Its History
Electrical system (5) problems come up most in Kia Forte owner complaints, and 11 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Kia Forte Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3/5
Annual Repair Cost
$451
Repair Frequency
0.2/yr
Major Repair Risk
9%
$75 below the compact cars average of $526/yr.
Ranked #6 of 36 among compact cars.
Kia Forte Resale Value
The Kia Forte is estimated to retain about 76.3% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 76.3%
- Depreciation
- 23.7%
- Listings Analyzed
- 600
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Kia Forte depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comKia Forte Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
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Compare Kia Forte With Similar Sedans
The Kia Forte competes with other compact sedans such as Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra.
Forte vs Honda Civic
9 years tracked · 2921 complaints
Forte vs Toyota Corolla
9 years tracked · 1274 complaints
Forte vs Hyundai Elantra
9 years tracked · 1219 complaints
Forte vs Mazda 3
8 years tracked · 217 complaints
Forte vs Nissan Sentra
9 years tracked · 829 complaints
More Kia Forte comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the KIA Forte?
- The 2024 is the site pick among years that have been on the road at least two years. It has no recalls and the lowest complaint rate of any year tracked. The 2020 also rates among the highest and has no recalls. Newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
- Is the KIA Forte reliable long term?
- Engine failure is the long-term worry on older cars, though the model's standing is good and close to average for sedans. Owners report failures between 67,000 and 90,000 miles, often after oil ran low with no warning light. Keep oil-change receipts, because some owners say warranty claims were denied without them.
- What are the most common KIA Forte problems?
- Power train complaints lead, mostly shifting problems like skipped gears, a transmission stuck in sixth, or a car that feels like it is in neutral. Engine failure comes next, then electrical faults and steering reports. Heavy steering after the engine shuts off at speed is the clearest safety issue.
- How much does it cost to repair a KIA Forte?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $451. That is below the $526 average for compact cars. A major failure such as an engine replacement would cost far more than that average suggests.
- Are KIA Fortes easy to steal?
- Some owners say so. Electrical complaints include reports that the car has no immobilizer and can be started with a USB cable. A few owners report break-ins and stolen cars even after a dealer software update. Ask about theft history and any anti-theft work before you buy.
How we score the Kia Forte
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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