Is the Honda Civic more reliable than the KIA Forte?

Based on our data, the Honda Civic is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Honda Civic or the KIA Forte?

The Honda Civic has more recalls (37) compared to the KIA Forte (11). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Honda Civic or the KIA Forte?

Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Forte has a lower complaint rate at 3.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 4.8 for the Honda Civic. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Civic or the KIA Forte?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Civic is cheaper to maintain at $368/year versus $451/year for the KIA Forte.

Is the Honda Civic or KIA Forte safer?

Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Honda Civic has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the KIA Forte. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Honda Civic vs KIA Forte: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Honda Civic

Good

KIA Forte

Good

Choosing between the Honda Civic and the KIA Forte? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Honda Civic currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 72/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda Civic and KIA Forte Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Honda Civic is in its eleventh generation, which began in 2022. Being relatively early in its generation cycle, buyers may want to be cautious of first-year issues that can occur with new platforms, although Honda typically addresses these swiftly. The previous tenth generation ran from 2016 to 2021, offering a more mature platform known for its reliability. The KIA Forte is currently in its third generation, which started in 2019. This generation received a facelift in 2022, indicating that it is well into its lifecycle. Mature platforms like the Forte's third generation tend to be well-sorted, benefiting from refinements over the years that enhance reliability.

Verdict

The Honda Civic is more reliable than the KIA Forte, scoring 76/100 vs 72/100.

The KIA Forte edges out the Honda Civic in reliability with an average score of 81/100 compared to the Civic's 76/100. The Forte also has fewer recalls over the past seven years, with just 11 compared to the Civic's 37 over nine years. While the Forte incurs a slightly higher estimated annual repair cost at $451 versus the Civic's $368, it boasts a lower owner complaint rate at 3.2 per 10,000 sold, compared to the Civic’s 4.8. Both vehicles share common issues in the electrical and steering systems, but the Forte's superior reliability score and reduced recall and complaint rates make it the more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Honda Civic costs $83 less per year to repair
2KIA Forte has 26 fewer total recalls
3Honda Civic scores 4 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Honda Civic

—

3KIA Forte

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Honda Civic vs KIA Forte: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda Civic vs KIA Forte at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda Civic	KIA Forte
Reliability Score	76/100	72/100
Years Tracked	9	7
Total Recalls	37	11
Complaints per 10k Sold	4.8	3.2
Annual Repair Cost	$368/yr	$451/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.2/yr
Major Repair Risk	10%	9%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2024 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	6	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda Civic and KIA Forte?

The Honda Civic exhibits a pronounced issue with its steering, accounting for 1538 complaints, 58 of which are crash-linked, indicating a significant safety concern. In contrast, the KIA Forte has a more balanced distribution of complaints across various categories, with the highest being 85 each for "Unknown or Other" and "Power Train," and its air bag system showing a high crash linkage with 22 out of 29 complaints. While both models face electrical system issues, the Civic's airbag and forward collision avoidance systems also present notable risks with crash-linked complaints, which are not as pronounced in the Forte. Overall, the Civic's steering and airbag concerns are key differentiators in its problem profile compared to the Forte.

Honda Civic vs KIA Forte common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda Civic	KIA Forte
STEERING	2.5Low	0.2Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	0.6Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	0.4Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.1Very Low	0.6Very Low
ENGINE	0.1Very Low	0.5Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.1Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.1Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None
EQUIPMENT	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda Civic or KIA Forte?

Independent repair cost data indicates that the Honda Civic and KIA Forte have similar repair frequencies at 0.2 visits per year, suggesting comparable reliability in terms of how often they need attention. However, the Honda Civic has a lower annual repair cost of $368 compared to the KIA Forte's $451, resulting in a $415 savings over five years for Civic owners. Additionally, the Civic carries a slightly higher major repair risk at 10% versus the Forte's 9%, but the overall cost savings makes the Civic a more appealing option for cost-conscious buyers seeking to minimize their maintenance expenses over time.

How Does Honda Civic vs KIA Forte Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda Civic vs KIA Forte year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda Civic	KIA Forte	Edge
2024	81/1005R / 131C	78/1000R / 20C	Honda Civic
2023	74/1007R / 315C	68/1003R / 53C	Honda Civic
2022	66/1003R / 935C	75/1001R / 22C	KIA Forte
2021	81/1003R / 118C	72/1002R / 64C	Honda Civic
2020	78/1008R / 405C	76/1000R / 63C	Honda Civic
2019	75/1002R / 356C	67/1002R / 140C	Honda Civic
2018	71/1004R / 605C	66/1003R / 133C	Honda Civic

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Honda Civic scored 81/100 and the 2024 KIA Forte scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda Civic vs the KIA Forte?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer recalls, the KIA Forte is the better choice. With a higher reliability score of 81/100 and only 11 recalls, it offers peace of mind for those concerned about vehicle dependability. The Forte also has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold, at 3.2, and a slightly lower major repair risk of 9%. However, be prepared for a higher estimated annual repair cost of $451. For those focused on minimizing annual repair expenses, the Honda Civic may be more appealing. Despite its lower reliability score of 76/100 and a higher number of recalls at 37, the Civic boasts a lower estimated annual repair cost of $368. This model also shares a similar repair frequency and a manageable major repair risk of 10%. Consider the Civic if you value cost-effective maintenance over the long term.

Honda Civic vs KIA Forte: Common Questions

Is the Honda Civic more reliable than the KIA Forte?: Based on our data, the Honda Civic is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda Civic or the KIA Forte?: The Honda Civic has more recalls (37) compared to the KIA Forte (11). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Honda Civic or the KIA Forte?: Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Forte has a lower complaint rate at 3.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 4.8 for the Honda Civic. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Civic or the KIA Forte?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Civic is cheaper to maintain at $368/year versus $451/year for the KIA Forte.
Is the Honda Civic or KIA Forte safer?: Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Honda Civic has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the KIA Forte. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

More Honda Civic comparisons

Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla reliability Honda Civic vs Hyundai Elantra reliability Honda Civic vs Nissan Sentra reliability Honda Civic vs Volkswagen Golf reliability Honda Civic reliability by year Honda Civic years to avoid

More KIA Forte comparisons

KIA Forte vs Hyundai Elantra reliability KIA Forte vs Toyota Corolla reliability KIA Forte vs Mazda 3 reliability KIA Forte vs Nissan Sentra reliability KIA Forte reliability by year KIA Forte years to avoid

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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