Before buying a used 2018 Kia Forte, check whether recall repairs were completed, how it scored in crash tests and what owners report most often. Ask the seller for service records covering any recall listed below.
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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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Source: U.S. NHTSA. Canadian-market vehicles can have different recalls — check Transport Canada's recall database. Always confirm recall status for a specific VIN with a dealer.
2018 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
136 complaints filed with NHTSA (13 involving a crash, 3 a fire). Most-reported areas:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints. Complaints are unverified reports, not confirmed defects.
| Version | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forte — Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 8.1 L/100 km (29 mpg) | 6.4 L/100 km (37 mpg) | 7.4 L/100 km (32 mpg) |
| Forte — Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI | 9.4 L/100 km (25 mpg) | 7.1 L/100 km (33 mpg) | 8.4 L/100 km (28 mpg) |
| Forte — Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 9.4 L/100 km (25 mpg) | 6.9 L/100 km (34 mpg) | 8.4 L/100 km (28 mpg) |
| Forte 5 — Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo | 9.4 L/100 km (25 mpg) | 7.8 L/100 km (30 mpg) | 8.7 L/100 km (27 mpg) |
| Forte 5 — Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 9.4 L/100 km (25 mpg) | 6.9 L/100 km (34 mpg) | 8.4 L/100 km (28 mpg) |
| Forte 5 — Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo | 10.2 L/100 km (23 mpg) | 8.1 L/100 km (29 mpg) | 9.4 L/100 km (25 mpg) |
Source: U.S. EPA / fueleconomy.gov. Converted to L/100 km for Canadian buyers.