2018 Kia Forte Safety Report

The 2018 Kia Forte presents a mixed safety profile. While it achieved strong crash test ratings from NHTSA, including a 5-star overall rating, 5-star side impact, and 4-star frontal and rollover ratings, its complaint data reveals significant underlying mechanical concerns. With 133 total complaints, 13 crashes, 3 fires, and 9 injuries reported, there's a clear pattern of serious issues. The most prominent concern is the engine, accounting for 35 complaints, with many describing sudden power loss, stalling, and complete engine failure, often due to oil consumption or oil pump issues. This aligns with one of the three recalls for the vehicle, specifically addressing foreign particles in the oil pump that could lead to engine failure and increased crash risk. Beyond the engine, two other recalls address critical safety components: the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover, which could prevent proper airbag deployment, and a trunk latch defect that could trap someone inside. These recalls indicate known manufacturing defects that could severely compromise occupant safety. While the high crash test scores are reassuring for structural integrity in a collision, the frequent reports of engine failure while driving, as well as airbag deployment issues, suggest that the vehicle may not always perform as expected in real-world conditions or may put occupants at risk of a crash in the first place. The prevalence of engine-related complaints (35 out of 133 total, or 26%) is particularly concerning, especially given the recall for oil pump issues. Several complaints detail scenarios where the engine stalled on highways or lost power, creating dangerous situations. Other issues, though less frequent, include electrical system problems, steering noise, and paint delamination. The combination of strong crash test performance with a notable number of critical mechanical failures and safety recalls paints a picture of a vehicle with good passive safety but potential active safety vulnerabilities due to reliability issues.

Our recommendation: While the 2018 Kia Forte has strong crash test ratings, the high volume of engine-related complaints and multiple safety recalls, particularly concerning engine failure and airbag deployment, warrant extreme caution. Thoroughly review all recall completion records and consider a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine health and oil consumption before buying.