Is the Kia Forte Reliable?
2010–2026 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.
Reliability Score
Own a Kia Forte? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Kia Forte Reliability by Year
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — | Not enough data | |
| 2025 | — | — | — | — | Not enough data | |
| 2024 | 0 | 19 | — | — | 79 | Good |
| 2023 | 1 | 44 | 5 | — | 79 | Good |
| 2022 | 1 | 20 | 3 | — | 81 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 2 | 41 | 4 | — | 75 | Good |
| 2020 | 0 | 46 | 3 | — | 82 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 1 | 123 | 7 | — | 77 | Good |
| 2018 | 0 | 81 | 11 | — | 77 | Good |
| 2017 | 0 | 219 | 29 | 4 | 49 | Fair |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the Forte Compares to Similar Vehicles
The Forte scores 3 points above the average sedan — a strong result.
Known Kia Forte Reliability Issues
The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:
Based on 593 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kia Forte reliable?+
The Kia Forte scores 75/100 on our reliability index — rated "Good." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 5 recall campaigns and 593 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.
What year Forte is most reliable?+
Among the years analyzed, the 2020 Forte achieved the highest reliability score of 82/100 with 0 recalls and 46 complaints.
How many miles does a Forte last?+
With consistent maintenance, most Kia Forte owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used Forte will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.
More Kia Forte Research
Check a Specific Kia Forte VIN
Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.
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