Kia Forte 2014–2018 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation (YD)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,284 complaints, 661 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2014 Kia Forte
Close- Median failure report
- 78,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 445
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2014
- Engine217 reports · median 93,000 mi
- Steering64 reports
- Airbag system63 reports · median 83,000 mi
Recall areas Engine · Service brakes, hydraulic — pedals and linkages · Electrical system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2015 Kia Forte
Close- Median failure report
- 75,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 260
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2015
- Engine158 reports · median 86,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise31 reports
- Electrical system29 reports
Recall areas Engine
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2016 Kia Forte
Close- Median failure report
- 44,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 138
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2016
- Engine68 reports
- Electrical system22 reports
- Transmission and driveline16 reports
Recall areas Latches/locks/linkages — trunk lid
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2017 Kia Forte
Close- Median failure report
- 40,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 305
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2017
- Engine145 reports · median 70,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise49 reports
- Electrical system47 reports
Recall areas Air bags · Latches/locks/linkages — trunk lid · Engine and engine cooling — engine
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2018 Kia Forte
Close- Median failure report
- 34,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 136
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2018
- Engine57 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise30 reports
- Airbag system16 reports
Recall areas Air bags · Latches/locks/linkages — trunk lid · Engine and engine cooling — engine
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2014; earliest: the 2018, and the 2014 is 4 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2014–2018 Kia Forte reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 65,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 137,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 661
- Recalls
- 6
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Engine50.2% of complaints · median 85,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise13.7% of complaints · median 48,000 mi
- Electrical system13.4% of complaints · median 52,000 mi
Owners filed 1,284 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014–2018 Kia Forte; the engine leads with 50.2% of them, and half of the 661 that record an odometer reading came by 65,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 30,000 to 101,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2014–2018 Kia Forte last?
On the 2014–2018 Kia Forte, half of the 661 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 65,000 miles and 90% by 137,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
44 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 6 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Forte reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Kia Forte 2014–2018 · 661 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 82 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 6 complaints (0.9%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 6,000
- 25%
- 30,000
- Median
- 65,000
- 75%
- 101,000
- 90%
- 137,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 82 | 12.4% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 42 | 6.4% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 39 | 5.9% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 44 | 6.7% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 39 | 5.9% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 46 | 7.0% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 55 | 8.3% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 56 | 8.5% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 51 | 7.7% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 32 | 4.8% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 33 | 5.0% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 27 | 4.1% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 30 | 4.5% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 24 | 3.6% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 17 | 2.6% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 18 | 2.7% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 11 | 1.7% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 3 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 4 | 0.6% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 6 | 0.9% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Forte problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Kia Forte 2014–2018
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Fuel and propulsion system78 reportsmedian 44,000middle half 12,000–88,000
- Problems owners could not categorise176 reportsmedian 48,000middle half 19,000–75,000
- Exterior lighting95 reportsmedian 50,000middle half 35,000–75,000
- Electrical system172 reportsmedian 52,000middle half 27,000–89,000
- Steering87 reportsmedian 52,000middle half 12,000–70,000
- Airbag system133 reportsmedian 64,000middle half 28,000–98,000
- Engine645 reportsmedian 85,000middle half 57,000–120,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 645 | 50.2% | 85,000 | 57,000–120,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 176 | 13.7% | 48,000 | 19,000–75,000 |
| Electrical system | 172 | 13.4% | 52,000 | 27,000–89,000 |
| Airbag system | 133 | 10.4% | 64,000 | 28,000–98,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 95 | 7.4% | 50,000 | 35,000–75,000 |
| Steering | 87 | 6.8% | 52,000 | 12,000–70,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 78 | 6.1% | 44,000 | 12,000–88,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 71 | 5.5% | 58,000 | 10,000–88,000 |
| Brakes | 62 | 4.8% | 58,000 | 9,500–118,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 60 | 4.7% | 28,000 | 5,500–90,000 |
Known problems with the 2014–2018 Forte
Engine 2014–2018
2.0L Nu connecting rod bearing wear. Kia's remedy is the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software campaign, which monitors engine vibration for the onset of excessive rod bearing wear and alerts the driver at an early stage — before bearing failure progresses to seizure or an engine compartment fire. Delivered as a free dealer software update.
Anti-theft/Security 2014–2018
Keyed-ignition trims lack an engine immobilizer, leaving them vulnerable to the same steering-column hot-wire theft method as the first generation. Eligible for Kia's anti-theft software upgrade.
Before you buy a 2014–2018 Forte: the 3-minute check
Generated from 661 mileage-tagged complaints, 6 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine on 2014–2018 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check Anti-theft/Security on 2014–2018 cars.
- Years differ here: from 136 to 445 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Forte problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi44% below | At 90k mi69% below | At 120k mi83% below | At 150k mi93% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 57,000–120,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 19,000–75,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 27,000–89,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 28,000–98,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Exterior lighting | 35,000–75,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 12,000–70,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 12,000–88,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Kia Forte 2014–2018 · 661 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 44% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 69% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 83% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 93% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2014–2018 Kia Forte recalls (6)
NHTSA records 6 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
Jan 2022 · 2017–2018 · Air BagsAir bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit.…
What can happen. Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners…
Aug 2021 · 2016–2018 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesA person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with…
What can happen. A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for…
Apr 2021 · 2017–2018 · Engine and Engine CoolingA damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
What can happen. A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for…
Dec 2020 · 2014–2015 · EngineAn engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
What can happen. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free…
Dec 2017 · 2014 · Service Brakes, HydraulicIf the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to…
What can happen. If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following…
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…
Jan 2015 · 2014 · Electrical SystemIf the cooling fan resistor overheats and melts, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kia Forte vehicles manufactured December 5, 2012, to April 17, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the cooling fan resistor may overheat and melt.
What can happen. If the cooling fan resistor overheats and melts, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and for vehicles produced from December 5, 2012 to January 27, 2014, dealers will replace the cooling fan resistor and multi-fuse unit. For vehicles produced from January 28…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,284 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 100 (7.8%)
- Fires
- 75
- Injury reports
- 64
- Fatality reports
- 3
Forte problems by model year
The 2014 drew the most complaints of this generation, 445, most of them about the engine, and the 2018 the fewest, 136. A typical year drew about 260.
The first year of the generation, 2014, drew more complaints than a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 445 | 265 | 78,000† | Engine (217) | 3 |
| 2015 | 260 | 149 | 75,000† | Engine (158) | 1 |
| 2016 | 138 | 61 | 44,000† | Engine (68) | 1 |
| 2017 | 305 | 135 | 40,000† | Engine (145) | 3 |
| 2018 | 136 | 51 | 34,000† | Engine (57) | 3 |
What Forte owners reported
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that oil was leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that at start-up the check engine and low oil pressure warning light remained illuminated with an abnormal burned oil odor. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was…
2014 · 112,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to operate. The contact stated that the steering wheel would knock from left to right and would unexpectedly seize. Due to the failure, the steering became difficult to control. The vehicle was taken…
2014 · 53,000 miles · Steering
The contact's son owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, with the oil pressure warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact slowed down and…
2018 · 100,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that an anti-theft protection software update was performed in 2024. After the update was performed, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly turned off without warning. The transmission was shifted into neutral(N) and restarted to continue…
2015 · 85,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 661 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Forte generations
- Forte 2010–2013 593 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Forte 2019–2024 114 reports with mileage, most about the engine