Last updated: 2026-10-10

2024 Kia Forte
RELIABILITY SCORE: 78/100 (GOOD)

2024 Kia Forte Reliability Report

The 2024 KIA Forte has a good reliability standing and no recalls, but owners report stalling while driving and airbag faults.

Recalls

0

Complaints

20

Complaint Rate

1.6per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$451

Annual Fuel Cost

$1,750–$2,300

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity79/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs60/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity81/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Final third-generation year and the best of seven scored Forte years, with no recalls, though owners report engine shutoffs and airbag faults.

Top Issues to Watch

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)
  • POWER TRAIN (3)
  • SUSPENSION (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Final Year

2024 is the last model year of the Third generation (BD).

  • Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
  • 3 years after the last refresh (2021).
  • 3rd generation Forte (US).

What this means for buyers

Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.

2019: Third generation (BD) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2021: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2024: This Model Year

2024 is the last model year of the Third generation (BD).

Should You Buy the 2024 Kia Forte?

This is the strongest Forte year among the seven scored. It is the last of the third generation, has no federal recalls, and sits above the average 2024 sedan. Owners filed 20 complaints, or 1.6 per 10,000 sold. The 2023 also rates good, but it rates worse, with 53 complaints and 3 recalls.

Electrical faults lead the complaints. Some owners say the car shuts off while driving, once on the freeway, and the dealer could not reproduce it after short test drives. Others report airbag fault codes, a failed airbag sensor or unit, and headlights that go dark at night after a bump. Power train reports include grinding gears, first or reverse refusing to engage, and one car that lost all power at about 11K miles. In one crash report, lane assist steered the car into a guard rail at about 25 MPH.

Ask for dealer records on any shutoff, airbag warning, or headlight repair. Test drive over rough pavement and shift through every gear. Independent data puts yearly repairs at $451, below the $526 class figure.

See also the 2023 Kia Forte for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • +Acceptable reliability score
  • +$75 cheaper to maintain than avg compact cars
  • +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
  • +Low major repair risk (9%)

Cons

  • −UNKNOWN OR OTHER: Sudden acceleration and power loss are the most serious reports here (7 complaints)
  • −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues reported (5 complaints)

Compare 2024 Kia Forte With

Common Problem Categories

Other

HIGH RISK
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

0

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2024 Kia Forte — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

1.6

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 5.4

LowAvgHigh
Very Low

Safety Incidents

5

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 4/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2024 Kia Forte? Check its history first

Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2024 Kia Forte, and 0 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2024 Kia Forte NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 4/5Passenger: 3/5

Rollover risk: 10.7%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Not Available)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (No)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Optional)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver,Roof)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Kia ForteRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3Maintenance rating: 3 out of 5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$451

vs $526 avg for compact cars

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.2

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

9%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Forte
$451
Category Avg
$526
All Vehicles
$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

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.

This benchmark covers the Kia Forte model overall and is not specific to the 2024 model year.

Value Retained
76.3%

after 5 years

Depreciation
23.7%

over the same period

Listings Analyzed
600

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.com

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

26–34 MPG

Running cost: $2,200–$2,750/yr

Fuel + repair

22–30 city / 31–41 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2024 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims
TrimDriveTrans.CityHwyCombFuel Cost
Forte FE 2.0L 4-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (variable gear ratios)304134$1,750
Forte 2.0L 4-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (variable gear ratios)283932$1,850
Forte 1.6L 4-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AM-S7)273530$2,000
Forte 1.6L 4-cylFront-Wheel DriveManual 6-spd223126$2,300

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2024 Kia Forte.

  • Shift through every gear and reverse from a stop, and listen for grinding with the clutch fully pressed.

  • Accelerate from a stop and on a highway ramp, and feel for jerking, shuddering, or sudden loss of power.

  • Creep slowly into a parking spot and confirm the car stops firmly when you brake.

  • Scan for stored codes, especially oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, and emissions faults, and confirm the check engine light stays off.

  • Check that the airbag warning light turns off after startup, and ask for records of airbag sensor or voltage repairs.

  • Drive over bumps at night with headlights on and watch for lights cutting out or the screen resetting.

  • Ask for service records on stalling, water pump, clutch, or front radar calibration work, and test lane assist on a curve.

2024 Kia Forte Common Problems by Component

20 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

7
5
3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)POWER TRAIN (3)SUSPENSION (1)ENGINE (1)AIR BAGS (1)STEERING (1)STRUCTURE (1)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

7 complaintsSafety-related

Sudden acceleration and power loss are the most serious reports here. One car surged forward while parking even with the brake pressed and hit a wall. Others lose power in traffic, with the gas pedal not responding for a time. A check engine light that stays on after an oxygen sensor replacement, with codes pointing to the catalytic converter and emissions system, appears in repeat filings. Other reports describe grinding gears and a transmission stuck in gear, a months-long dealer wait for front radar calibration, and an attempted theft. Two complaints involve crashes.

7 complaints total2 crashes

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 complaints

The car shuts off while driving, sometimes on the freeway, and in that case the dealer could not reproduce the problem after short test drives. Several filings cite airbag system fault codes, a failed airbag sensor or unit, and a recurring voltage malfunction, with one owner saying the dealer refused the repair. Headlights also go dark at night after the car hits a dip or bump. When that happens the start-up chime sounds and the information screen resets to setup. All of these raise loss-of-control or crash protection concerns.

5 complaints total

POWER TRAIN

3 complaintsSafety-related

Shifting failures lead these reports. Gears grind even with the clutch fully down, and first gear or reverse won't engage. The car may also jump into the wrong gear, and the problem continues after repeated clutch, flywheel, and transmission work. Other cars jerk and shudder when accelerating, refuse to start, or lose all power and shut off while driving. One of those came at about 11K miles, after a water pump replacement. One crash report says lane assist steered the car into a guard rail at about 25 MPH. The dealer could not find the cause.

3 complaints total1 crash
SUSPENSION (1 complaints)

SUSPENSION

1 complaint
2025-11-12

Suspension noise over bumps

ENGINE (1 complaints)

ENGINE

1 complaint
2024-10-29

Please see attachment:

AIR BAGS (1 complaints)

AIR BAGS

1 complaintSafety-related
2025-07-04Crash reported1 injury

Date of Incident: [XXX] Location: [XXX] To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this letter to report a potential airbag malfunction involving my 2024 Kia Forte GT. On [XXX], I was the driver and sole occupant of my vehicle when I was T-boned on the driver’s side while traveling [XXX] on [XXX] at the intersection of [XXX] . The collision was severe enough to spin my vehicle and resulted in significant damage to the driver-side door and frame. Despite the force and nature of the crash, none of the airbags in my vehicle deployed—including side airbags that should have been triggered by the impact. I was later diagnosed with a concussion and sustained other physical and emotional injuries from the crash. As of the date of this complaint, the vehicle has not been repaired, and I have photos documenting the damage. Given the potential risk to other drivers who may experience similar failures, I am requesting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review this vehicle for airbag deployment defects. I am willing to provide photos, medical records, and further details as needed. Also, the seatbelts sometime freeze when pulling them out to get secured in the car, you have to release and then pull again to gain full access to the seat belt. There is a police report done on this matter but I do not have access to it yet because it has yet to be approved by the LRPD sergeant. We checked on July 5th, 2025. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

STEERING (1 complaints)

STEERING

1 complaintSafety-related
2024-03-29Crash reported

The lane assist stopped working properly and pulled me into the guardrail

STRUCTURE (1 complaints)

STRUCTURE

1 complaint
2024-03-02

In order for the drivers door to shut, you have to nearly slam it shut. If you don’t, you’re still able to lock the vehicle which results and trapping the door. This means that if you attempt to unlock the vehicle, it will not let you you have to force the door open with your bodyweight. I am driving a loaner vehicle from a Kia dealership and this happened to me several times it’s quite disturbing especially if something has been left in the car and you don’t have access to it like my medication. The vehicle locks will still lock even though the doors are not shut this causes the doors to jam.

Best & Worst Kia Forte Years

Best Kia Forte Years to Buy

Top Pick
78
Good

2024

(Current Model)

0Recalls
20Complaints
76
Good

2020

0Recalls
63Complaints
75
Good

2022

1Recalls
22Complaints

Kia Forte Years to Avoid

Kia Forte Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Kia Forte reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201866/100Good
201967/100Good
202076/100Good
202172/100Good
202275/100Good
202368/100Good
202478/100Good

Kia Forte Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
2024(selected)78/100+10Good020
202368/100-7Good353
202275/100+3Good122
202172/100-4Good264
202076/100+9Good063
201967/100+1Good2140
201866/100—Good3133

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2024 KIA Forte reliable?
Yes, it holds a good reliability standing. It is above average among 2024 sedans and the best of the seven scored Forte years. Federal recall records list none, and owners filed 20 complaints. The main concerns are electrical faults and shifting problems in a few cars.
What are the most common problems with the 2024 KIA Forte?
Electrical problems are the biggest group, with 5 complaints. They include the car shutting off while driving, airbag fault codes, and headlights going dark after bumps. Power train reports follow with 3 complaints, mostly gears that grind or will not engage, plus jerking and shudder when accelerating.
Does the 2024 KIA Forte have recalls?
No. Federal recall records show 0 recalls for this model year. That is a contrast with the 2023 Forte, which has 3 recalls. A clean recall record does not rule out the owner complaints, so still ask a seller for service history.
Does the 2024 KIA Forte have airbag problems?
Some owners report them. Several filings cite airbag system fault codes, a failed airbag sensor or unit, and a recurring voltage malfunction. One owner says the dealer refused the repair. Check that the airbag light behaves normally and ask for any airbag repair records.
Is the 2024 KIA Forte better than the 2023?
Yes, on this data. Both years rate good, but the 2024 rates better. It has 20 complaints and no recalls, while the 2023 has 53 complaints and 3 recalls. The 2024 is also the final year of the third generation.

Don’t buy a 2024 Kia Forte without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2024 Kia Forte

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2024 Kia Forte does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on repair costs (60/100). 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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