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2018 Kia Forte

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Kia Forte do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 141.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

51 reports with mileage · 85 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports3 fire reports8 injury reports

Tires complaints

3 reports
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32,215 miles · Sep 14, 2022
Tires

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte equipped with Nexen Tires, Tire Line: N 'Priz AH8, Tire Size: 195/65/R15, DOT Number: E025. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair and the mechanic noticed that all four tires had started to crack in the center of the tire with rotting to the tread. The c…

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The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte equipped with Nexen Tires, Tire Line: N 'Priz AH8, Tire Size: 195/65/R15, DOT Number: E025. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair and the mechanic noticed that all four tires had started to crack in the center of the tire with rotting to the tread. The contact stated that she had replaced the tires two years prior. The contact then stated that the dealer informed her that all four tires needed to be replaced. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,215.

NHTSA ODI #11484477

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2021
Tires

With less than 40,000 miles on the car/tires, one of the front tires blew on the highway. Discovered it blew out on the side wall and metal was showing, took the car in and had the tire replaced. We did not keep that tire because we didn't realize it was not an isolated incident. About 2 weeks later the same thing happened to…

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With less than 40,000 miles on the car/tires, one of the front tires blew on the highway. Discovered it blew out on the side wall and metal was showing, took the car in and had the tire replaced. We did not keep that tire because we didn't realize it was not an isolated incident. About 2 weeks later the same thing happened to the other front tire. Took the car in to have the other 3 replaced and was informed that one of the rear tires was in the same condition and we are lucky it didn't blow out on us. The car has only been inspected by the tire shop and we kept the tires this time for inspection of anyone that can help file some sort of recall or claim. There is still a good amount of tread on the tires. This could very well have caused serious injury or death to my family!

NHTSA ODI #11426018

19,500 miles · Oct 13, 2020
Tires

I NEEDED TO TAKE MY CAR IN TO THE MECHANIC TO REPAIR A TIRE THAT HAD A NAIL IN IT. WHILE REPAIRING THE TIRE, I ASKED HIM TO ALSO CHECK THE TREAD OF THE TIRES. HE PRECEDED TO TELL ME THAT THE TREADS WERE STILL GOOD, BUT WHAT CONCERNED HIM WAS THE TREAD SEPARATION, CRACKING, AND DRY ROT THAT THE TIRES HAD. HE SAID THEY DEFINITE…

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I NEEDED TO TAKE MY CAR IN TO THE MECHANIC TO REPAIR A TIRE THAT HAD A NAIL IN IT. WHILE REPAIRING THE TIRE, I ASKED HIM TO ALSO CHECK THE TREAD OF THE TIRES. HE PRECEDED TO TELL ME THAT THE TREADS WERE STILL GOOD, BUT WHAT CONCERNED HIM WAS THE TREAD SEPARATION, CRACKING, AND DRY ROT THAT THE TIRES HAD. HE SAID THEY DEFINITELY NEED REPLACED BUT NOT BECAUSE OF TREAD. HE TOLD ME TO LOOK IN TO IT BECAUSE HE FELT THEY WERE DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11364196

Official recalls

3

22V031000 · Air Bags

Jan 25, 2022

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. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: 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 may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.

21V622000 · Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:latch

Aug 9, 2021

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 the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: 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 this recall is SC216.

21V260000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump

Apr 13, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 this recall is SC210.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.