KnownCarProblems2018 Kia Forte Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 136 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Forte, most often about the engine (45% of complaints, typically around 68,000 miles). It is 10th of 16 Forte model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2018 Kia Forte problems
Engine
61 complaints · 45%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles.
Got my car at 60 miles. That was a lil over two years ago and now my car is at 68000. The engine is stalling and it's not accelerating properly. When I have to break or even break pulling into a parking spot the car cuts off. No lights are popping up and I've never had this issue before. I see a lot of other people on…
While my daughter was driving this vehicle it started making a loud noise, then the motor stopped. There was no indication, ever, of an engine issue. No lights, warnings, temperature, nothing ever alerted her. We took it to two mechanics who diagnosed as total engine failure. All fluids were low, no oil. We never saw…
Other or unspecified
30 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles.
I have had my brand new Kia Forte for 8 months starting in april. I currently have 16,581 miles on the car. About a month ago my eco light came on by itself and there was no way to turn it off so I had to take it to Kia where they unscrewed my battery and it went off. Now I am having problems with my car not wanting…
April 2018, I purchased the Kia Forte from bulldog Kia-athens ga. Two weeks later the tire sensor light came on. The Kia was driven to the bulldog constantly. Air pressure checked each time. Aptil 10, 2019 the tire sensor light came on, passenger front tire blewout and damaged rim while in motion.the car was towed…
Air bags
16 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 40,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated she was at standstill at a parking space when another vehicle backed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a bulging disc on the neck, vertigo, and a concussion from the whiplash. The contact did not seek…
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the contact stated he rear-ended the vehicle in front of him causing damage to the front end of his vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. The contact had several cuts and bruises, but no medical attention was required and he stated that…
Electrical
16 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. While the vehicle was stopped at an inersection, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal. The vehicle hesitated for approximately sixty seconds and failed to accelerate properly. The vehicle was taken to Kia autosport of pensacola (6637 pensacola blvd, pensacola, fl 32505…
I initially submitted a complaint on nov 6 with my 2018 Kia about engine failure /possibly, my car was towed to darcars Kia urbana pike in frederick md, I had just made an appointment with them b4 my car broke down to get the trunk & air bag recalls taken care of 11/09 my car sat there until yesterday, they never took…
Speed control
10 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 9,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while merging into traffic, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to motor mile Kia 2260 roanoke st #1, christiansburg, va 24073 ([phone], to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code or…
This problem happened 2 times this week & on 2 separate days while I was driving & since I only drive this car once or twice a week this has me concerned.. The car started ok and drove for a couple of miles just fine when suddenly the car felt like I was trying to drive while the car was in neutral & even with my foot…
Transmission
8 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 23,500 miles.
This problem happened 2 times this week & on 2 separate days while I was driving & since I only drive this car once or twice a week this has me concerned.. The car started ok and drove for a couple of miles just fine when suddenly the car felt like I was trying to drive while the car was in neutral & even with my foot…
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was running, the check engine warning light illuminated. There was an abnormally loud roaring sound detected while accelerating. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was slow to respond while shifting or reversing. The contact…
Fuel system
8 complaints · 6%When accelerating there is no power and it is going to cause the accident I was on the freeway I went to switch lanes I hit the gas and the car would not move just stood there and rp m's going up
This is a follow up to my original complaint on this issue #11186351... As indicated in that original complaint I took my Forte in to the dealership and had it serviced (oil & filter change, tire rotation) and had them check out the issue I was experiencing; they said they could not find anything (not surprised)…
Body and structure
7 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: body.
I was entering an onramp at about 15mph; a car yielded in front of me. I hit my brakes and yet slid into the rear of the front car. I did not stop, even with brakes applied, and slid in to the front acre. No airbags deployed and my Kia was totaled and undrivable.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Kia Forte recalls
Air bags
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
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 may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc226.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
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 this recall is sc216.
Full defect summary
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."
Engine: pump
Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 this recall is sc210.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 Kia Forte
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia Forte?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (61 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); other or unspecified (30 complaints, typically around 18,000 miles); air bags (16 complaints, typically around 40,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Forte have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 25, 2022 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Kia Forte?
- It is 10th of 16 Forte model years by number of complaints, with 136 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.