Kia Forte — years to avoid
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.
2 model years to avoid, 4 to watch and 3 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.
Avoid2 years
Caution4 years
Best bets3 years
Complaint history
- Avoid
- Caution
- Recommended
- Not enough data
Every year, ranked
Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.
| Year | Ranking | Complaints | Compared with a typical year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ○ Not enough data | 25 | Only 25 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2023 | ▲ Recommended | 63 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2022 | ○ Not enough data | 27 | Only 27 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2021 | ▲ Recommended | 69 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2020 | ▲ Recommended | 77 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2019 | ● Recommended | 147 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2018 | ● Recommended | 135 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2017 | ■ Avoid | 305 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2016 | ● Recommended | 136 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2015 | ◆ Caution | 260 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2014 | ■ Avoid | 443 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2013 | ◆ Caution | 195 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2012 | ◆ Caution | 291 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2011 | ● Recommended | 153 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2010 | ◆ Caution | 221 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2009 | ○ Not enough data | 1 | Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
How the rankings work
Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.
- ▲ Recommended
At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.
- ● Recommended
Within 30% of the model’s typical year.
- ◆ Caution
30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.
- ■ Avoid
More than double the complaints of the typical year.
- ○ Not enough data
Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.
Recalls
18
recalls on file across every Kia Forte model year.
Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.