Kia Forte real model years: 2015-2024. Compare NHTSA complaints, recalls, safety ratings, and unsupported searched years.
Google search data often includes later or discontinued model-year queries for this vehicle, such as 2026 Kia Forte, 2025 Kia Forte. We do not publish indexable pages for those exact years unless official NHTSA data confirms the make, model, and year combination. Use the real years below for trustworthy recall and complaint reports.
The Kia Forte has been tracked across 10 model years in the NHTSA database, accumulating a total of 1167 consumer complaints and 16 safety recalls. Understanding the recall and complaint history of any vehicle is a critical step in the car-buying process, whether you are shopping for a used Kia Forte or already own one and want to stay informed about potential safety risks.
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 Kia Forte stands out as the model year with the most reported issues, logging 295 complaints and 3 recalls. In contrast, the 2024 model year is the cleanest on record with just 19 complaints. The average across all tracked years is approximately 117 complaints per model year.
When evaluating a used Kia Forte, pay close attention to the model years with higher complaint counts listed in the table below. A higher number of complaints does not always indicate a dangerous vehicle, but it does suggest more frequent owner-reported problems that could affect reliability, repair costs, or resale value. Always cross-reference complaint data with recall information and, when possible, have a qualified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection.
The table below lists every Kia Forte model year in the NHTSA database along with complaint counts, recall counts, and safety ratings where available. Click on any year to view the full AI-generated safety report for that specific model, including detailed component breakdowns, known issues, and owner-reported problems. You can also compare the Kia Forte against competing models using our comparison tool, or explore our buying guide to determine which years are the best to purchase.
The Kia Forte safety graph covers 10 real model years with 1167 owner complaints, 16 recalls, 112 crash reports, 48 fire reports, and 0 service bulletin signals. Use this as the one-stop model view before drilling into a specific year.
| Path | Vehicle Year | Complaint Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect carefully | 2017 Kia Forte | 295 complaints, 3 recalls |
| Inspect carefully | 2015 Kia Forte | 254 complaints, 1 recalls |
| Inspect carefully | 2019 Kia Forte | 138 complaints, 2 recalls |
| Compare as cleaner year | 2024 Kia Forte | 19 complaints, 0 recalls |
| Compare as cleaner year | 2022 Kia Forte | 21 complaints, 1 recalls |
| Compare as cleaner year | 2023 Kia Forte | 52 complaints, 3 recalls |
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 | 0 | ★★★★☆ |
| 2023 | 52 | 3 | ★★★★☆ |
| 2022 | 21 | 1 | ★★★★☆ |
| 2021 | 64 | 2 | ★★★★☆ |
| 2020 | 63 | 0 | ★★★★☆ |
| 2019 | 138 | 2 | ★★★★☆ |
| 2018 | 133 | 3 | ★★★★★ |
| 2017 | 295 | 3 | ★★★★★ |
| 2016 | 128 | 1 | — |
| 2015 | 254 | 1 | ★★★★★ |
Yes, the Kia Forte has 16 recalls across 10 model years tracked in the NHTSA database. Select a specific model year below to see the full recall details.
The Kia Forte has accumulated 1167 consumer complaints across 10 model years. The complaint count varies significantly by year — click any year in the table to see its specific issues.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2024 Kia Forte has the fewest reported issues with 19 complaints. The 2017 model year has the most with 295 complaints.
Safety varies by model year. Review the NHTSA safety ratings, recall history, and complaint data for each Kia Forte model year in the table below. Vehicles with 4-5 star NHTSA ratings and low complaint counts generally indicate better safety records.
This page shows all 10 model years of the Kia Forte with recall counts and safety ratings. Click any year for the complete recall list including campaign numbers, affected components, and manufacturer remedies. You can also check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.