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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

30 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2024
EngineUnknown Or Other

1945 Credit one: 65 Nordstrom: 116 Taxes: 133 Discover: 148 Care credit: 54 Cap: 60 (small) Cap: 187 (big) *75* 2018 Kia Forte was brought to a Kia Dealership within standard time frame since release of Ignition Coil recall to remedy said issue (released recall dated: 2020). Ignition Coil has since went out, resulting in the 20…

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1945 Credit one: 65 Nordstrom: 116 Taxes: 133 Discover: 148 Care credit: 54 Cap: 60 (small) Cap: 187 (big) *75* 2018 Kia Forte was brought to a Kia Dealership within standard time frame since release of Ignition Coil recall to remedy said issue (released recall dated: 2020). Ignition Coil has since went out, resulting in the 2018 Kia Forte being brought back to the [same] Kia Dealership for the [same] repair. Kia Dealership has stated the Ignition Coil that was placed in 2018 Kia Forte is not “under warranty”, and full market value price plus diagnostic, and labor is warranted. It appears the mileage of when the original 2020 Ignition Coil repair was complete, is “coincidentally” the exact mileage the Ignition Coil went out again (20k miles). Assuming the Ignition Coil used to remedy said recall back in 2020 is faulty; as Ignition Coils should last within 80k-110k miles. Thus, should not be the financial burden or responsibility of the consumer.

NHTSA ODI #11584226

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2024
Air BagsStructureUnknown Or Other

Trunk opens unexpectedly

NHTSA ODI #11571085

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2023
Air BagsEngineUnknown Or Other

2018 kia forte kept stalling out, 3 times in 2minutes. Drove it home, had it towed to Kia Spitzer West, it'd been there since May27, 2023. They will not repair, they will not replace, they won't even call me back. It's a disgrace

NHTSA ODI #11541396

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Viva Kia dealership in el paso texas was contacted 5 months ago about the recall pending for this car and has failed to respond in a timely manner.

NHTSA ODI #11520800

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

My Vehicle stalls and shuts while driving in the midst of traffic

NHTSA ODI #11516734

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2023
Unknown Or Other

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? After driving for about 10 minutes, the car would stall when slowing to a full stop, slowing to make a turn, or driving below 40mph. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car would cut off without warning. …

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What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? After driving for about 10 minutes, the car would stall when slowing to a full stop, slowing to make a turn, or driving below 40mph. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car would cut off without warning. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The first incident happened in December, 2022. The car cut off while I was at the light. It started right up, but cut off again while pulling into my parking space.

NHTSA ODI #11508936

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2022
Unknown Or Other

This complaint is NOT against any incident on this vehicle per say but concerning Kia customer care. I am a potential buyer of this vehicle from Autonation 104 here in Denver, CO. And, I contacted Kia to provide me with the vehicle recall information so that I can be better educated to make a decision on whether or not I should …

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This complaint is NOT against any incident on this vehicle per say but concerning Kia customer care. I am a potential buyer of this vehicle from Autonation 104 here in Denver, CO. And, I contacted Kia to provide me with the vehicle recall information so that I can be better educated to make a decision on whether or not I should buy a vehicle with an open recall status. However, Kia customer care 1 (800) 333-4542 flagrantly denied disclosing any information pertaining the recall status. Now, I am aware that recall information is also available on NHTSA and other free forums, however, my desire with the above call was to understand more about the recall that may or may not be already available publicly. For instance, whether or not this is a stop-sale recall, their advisory on an open recall vehicle as it relates to me and my family's safety, current wait times if I were to service the recall etc. But, they denied to share any information on the recall at all. I also filed a complaint to their customer care department through a voicemail (seriously?) because apparently that was the only option they make available. Details on the incident: On-call Phone number: 18003334542 Time: 10:11AM MST Date: 12/20/22 Per Federal law a vehicle manufacturer has to notify the customers/potential customers of any vehicle recall information that applies to the vehicle that the customer is intending to buy. Please let me know if you need any more information from me. Thank you,

NHTSA ODI #11498520

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2022
EngineUnknown Or Other

The 2018 Kia Forte LX that my daughter is the primary driver of (but I am on the loan) engine light has been on for several weeks and it has also had trouble starting, resulting in several days of missed work. We have taken it to two mechanics, whose partial diagnosis was that it needed a new timing chain kit which we had done o…

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The 2018 Kia Forte LX that my daughter is the primary driver of (but I am on the loan) engine light has been on for several weeks and it has also had trouble starting, resulting in several days of missed work. We have taken it to two mechanics, whose partial diagnosis was that it needed a new timing chain kit which we had done on November 1, 2022 along with new spark plugs. However the engine light continues to stay on, with a loud idle and trouble starting. We took it back to the mechanic and after checking everything he could think of, he advised us that there is definitely an oil pressure issue and that we should take it to the Kia dealership and ask about a silent recall on the engine/oil pump. The issues we are having with the vehicle exactly match NHTSA Recall No. 21V-260; Manufacturers Recall No. SC210, however it is not showing up on my VIN number. I fear that this is only getting worse and as Recall SC210 states, if the vehicle is continually operated with this condition, the engine can be damaged (if not already) and loss of motive power may occur, increasing the risk of a crash. I have also attached Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-260. Your consideration in this matter would be greatly appreciated as we feel it applies to our vehicle and that we shouldn't have to spend even more than what we have already spent in repairs and job time loss. I can be contacted at [XXX] or by email at [XXX]. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11493667

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2022
Unknown Or Other

I was driving on the parkway when I heard a rattling sound from the engine and white smoke started coming out of the back or the car. Car stopped accelerating and we pulled over (we didn't drive it for more than a minute once it started making that sound) all of the oil dumped out of the car on the side of the road and the engin…

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I was driving on the parkway when I heard a rattling sound from the engine and white smoke started coming out of the back or the car. Car stopped accelerating and we pulled over (we didn't drive it for more than a minute once it started making that sound) all of the oil dumped out of the car on the side of the road and the engine seized and would not restart.

NHTSA ODI #11469851

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Hi, I am reaching out due to the recall notice ever since my wife and I have owned our vehicle the trunk has always randomly opened or refused to open with or without the key or vehicle latch being engaged.

NHTSA ODI #11450650

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.