Last updated: 2026-07-26
KIA Forte vs Nissan Altima: Reliability Compared
KIA Forte
Nissan Altima
Choosing between the KIA Forte and the Nissan Altima? 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 Nissan Altima currently leads with an average score of 79/100 compared to 72/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the KIA Forte and Nissan Altima Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Altima is more reliable than the KIA Forte, scoring 79/100 vs 72/100.
The KIA Forte edges out the Nissan Altima in reliability with an average score of 81 compared to the Altima's 78. Despite having nearly double the owner complaints per 10,000 sold, the Forte has fewer total recalls over a shorter period, suggesting more consistent quality control. Both vehicles have comparable estimated annual repair costs, with the Forte slightly lower at $451 versus the Altima's $483. While the Altima's issues are more frequent in areas like airbags and service brakes, the Forte faces more challenges with its engine and steering systems.
Key Differences
- 1KIA Forte costs $32 less per year to repair
- 2KIA Forte has 9 fewer total recalls
- 3Nissan Altima scores 7 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
KIA Forte vs Nissan Altima: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | KIA Forte | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 72/100 | 79/100 |
| Years Tracked | 7 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 11 | 20 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 3.2 | 1.6 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $451/yr | $483/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 9% | 12% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2024 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 6 |
What Are the Common Problems With the KIA Forte and Nissan Altima?
The Nissan Altima exhibits a higher number of total complaints compared to the KIA Forte, with notable issues in the electrical system (142 complaints) and air bags (49 complaints, 18 crash-linked). The Altima also faces significant concerns with its service brakes, which account for 14 crash-linked complaints, indicating a potential safety risk. In contrast, the KIA Forte shows a prominent problem profile in the power train and engine categories, each with 85 and 81 complaints respectively, but with fewer crash-linked incidents overall. The Forte has a particularly high crash-linked complaint rate in its air bag system, with 22 of 29 complaints tied to crashes, highlighting a critical area of concern.
| Component | KIA Forte | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.6Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.6Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| EQUIPMENT | —None | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: KIA Forte or Nissan Altima?
How Does KIA Forte vs Nissan Altima Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | KIA Forte | Nissan Altima | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 78/1000R / 20C | 82/1001R / 31C | Nissan Altima |
| 2023 | 68/1003R / 53C | 84/1000R / 24C | Nissan Altima |
| 2022 | 75/1001R / 22C | 83/1000R / 20C | Nissan Altima |
| 2021 | 72/1002R / 64C | 79/1002R / 53C | Nissan Altima |
| 2020 | 76/1000R / 63C | 71/1006R / 162C | KIA Forte |
| 2019 | 67/1002R / 140C | 72/1008R / 230C | Nissan Altima |
| 2018 | 66/1003R / 133C | 76/1002R / 217C | Nissan Altima |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 KIA Forte scored 78/100 and the 2023 Nissan Altima scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the KIA Forte vs the Nissan Altima?
KIA Forte vs Nissan Altima: Common Questions
- Is the KIA Forte more reliable than the Nissan Altima?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Altima is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the KIA Forte or the Nissan Altima?
- The Nissan Altima has more recalls (20) 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 KIA Forte or the Nissan Altima?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Altima has a lower complaint rate at 1.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 3.2 for the KIA Forte. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the KIA Forte or the Nissan Altima?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the KIA Forte is cheaper to maintain at $451/year versus $483/year for the Nissan Altima.
- Is the KIA Forte or Nissan Altima safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Nissan Altima 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.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between KIA Forte and Nissan Altima? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue