2018 Kia Forte Safety Report
2018 KIA FORTE Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Kia Forte
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Kia Forte. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (133) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 16 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Kia Forte with 63 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Kia Forte before buying across this generation. |
Kia Forte Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Forte years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Kia Forte | 138 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Kia Forte | 295 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Kia Forte | 63 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Kia Forte | 128 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Kia Forte | 64 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Kia Forte | 254 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Kia Forte Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Kia Forte, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
35 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyAir Bags
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Kia onlyElectrical System
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other,Engine
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Kia onlyLatches/Locks/Linkages
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Latches/Locks/Linkages issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Kia Forte
Reliability Score
The 2018 Kia Forte receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Kia Forte
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Kia Forte
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Kia Forte:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags Recalled by Kia Motors America for certain 2017-2019 models, including the 2018 Forte. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages Recalled by Kia Motors America for certain 2016-2018 Forte models. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine And Engine Cooling Recalled by Kia Motors America for certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI e engine. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Driver reported engine failure and loss of power, and issues with the oil pump and electrical system have been noted. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Kia Forte:
Air bag issues are a common problem in the 2018 Forte.
Latches/locks/linkages issues are a common problem in the 2018 Forte.
Engine and engine cooling issues are a common problem in the 2018 Forte.
Electrical system issues are a common problem in the 2018 Forte.
Recall Details for the 2018 Kia Forte
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Kia Forte by NHTSA:
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Kia Forte
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Kia Forte with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was discovered that the engine oil level was extremely low. The dealer kept the vehicle for nine months and performed an oil change. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken b...
Recently, while my boyfriend was driving my vehicle, the engine suddenly lost power without warning. He had the accelerator pedal fully depressed, yet the vehicle would barely move. He was fortunate to safely maneuver the vehicle off the road. Upon inspection, he discovered there was no oil present in the engine. Critically, neither the low oil warning light nor the check engine light had illumina...
While driving the car with the flow of busy traffic, the engine failed and the car stopped. It eventually turn back on (side of the road) but now drives with hesitation, a strange noise, and with the engine light on. This cycle continued until we arrived at the repair shop. And after much research, it seems that this experience is common for other Kia engines. Why was mine not included? Someone co...
Engine would run fast and then sound like was going to stop and then it would start shaking and rumbling while driving on highway and in town. Car would stall while at a stop. Gas smells inside the car. Did not feel safe driving. Had the car towed to an independent garage on February 7th and They did an oil change, change 2 Sensors, changed all the spark plugs and changed all 4 Cylinders and on t...
I went to Kia dealership in Groton CT 06340 for an oil change. They also fixed a recent recall, and after I picked up my car, both of my key fobs weren’t working. I can’t open my car. I can’t lock my car and they are refusing to fix it. I contacted kia corporate. they were not helpful. What can I do here to have this situation resolved? I’m worried that the anti theft system doesn’t work now on my...
No warning lights/ indicators at all. Well taken care of vehicle 84,400 miles on the vehicle second owner. Had an oil change and my husband noticed bad blow by, had it diagnosed by a mechanic. They said we need a whole new engine. Dont understand how this would happen unless some manufacturer defect. No recalls apparently for this vehicle. Seems to be a common issue. Really sucks that I dont even ...
The car turn off while driving it. This creates a serious safety concern. We took the car to a mechanic and he was not able to identify the problem, he suggested we take it to the dealership. We then took it to the kia dealer ( Covina) and they have had it for months and yet are not able to fix it. Yesterday we received a call telling us, the engine failure is related to the oil pressure and it...
While driving on U.S. 69 highway in Overland Park, Kansas, the engine in my 2018 Kia Forte suddenly failed without warning. I was entering the northbound lanes from the 95th Street on-ramp and was accelerating to merge at about 50 mph. There had been no prior warning lights or messages. Just after getting into the right lane to merge with traffic, the engine lost power and the car began slowing d...
MY VEHICLE IS USING ALOT OF OIL AND WILL NOT START THE WARNING COMES UP IS CONCERNING THE OIL PUMP.
Right break light fills up with water. Consistently changing break light bulbs due to moisture in the break light.
the engine was burning oil unknown to me. You had an oil change completed at 101k miles and 106k miles and there was no oil left in the engine per mechanic. This caused the check engine light to turn on. Upon running the engine scans the code for a crankshaft error was discovered. P0017 The mechanic has now stated that a new engine is required due to the damage done to the engine because of the o...
ABS light, parking break light, tire pressure light, ESC light, and outdoor temperature and climate control all flicker and the speedometer stops working. Multiple cars with same make and model have same issue and are constantly in and out of the dealer with the issue unresolved.
Unknown. Fire was located under in the engine compartment area and fire was visible from below the engine under the car. When it happened I was driving on the freeway when noticed my car seemed to be struggling stay at the current speend and to loose speed then a it suddenly l no longer would accerlatoed so I pulled over to call 911 a passing vehicle stopped and informed me there was flames unde...
Steering wheel making a clicking noise when turning both ways, stationed and moving, also rattles a lot when going over speed bumps, seems like a manufacturer defect as this is a common thing heard around these Kia’s
In January 2025, Shortly after an oil change (6-7days after), the vehicle first slowed down abruptly while driving and had a clinking sound. The vehicle was then pulled into a parking spot, refrained from driving due to the clinking sound. It was then towed to a Kia dealership in Jacksonville NC, diagnosed as engine failure at the cost of over $9000. The vehicle has been at the lot since January ...
Timing, VVT sensor. Oil pressure
Same defective engine issue as other saftey recalls for other vehicles.
Oil pressure problems blew the engines. Yes it’s available to look at at this time Car stalled multiple times while driving Has been confirmed by two mechanics Oil light went on when stalled
About a week ago, I noticed small chips in the Pearl White paint on the hood of my Kia Forte 5. One of the chips has started a peeling of the paint which has benn steadily getting larger. This indicates a delamination is occurring. Many Kia owners have been posting about this with the Pearl White paint. I asked my local Kia service center in Redding, CA today about it. He said he knew nothing of t...
The engine went out in the middle of a busy highway road leading to a dangerous situation that I almost lost my life the vehicle was purchased in 2021. There shouldn’t be no reason that the engine should have went out that quickly when maintenance was kept up not only that there was an airbag defected issue, which is a safety hazard as well. It was the most scariest situation ever when the engine ...
Showing 20 of 133 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Kia Forte
Has the 2018 KIA FORTE been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 KIA FORTE has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 KIA FORTE have?
The 2018 KIA FORTE has 133 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 13 involved crashes. 9 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 KIA FORTE?
The 2018 KIA FORTE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 KIA FORTE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 KIA FORTE involve engine (35 complaints), unknown or other (14 complaints), air bags (8 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, unknown or other,engine, latches/locks/linkages.
How many crash reports does the 2018 KIA FORTE have?
There are 13 crash reports associated with the 2018 KIA FORTE out of 133 total complaints (9.8% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 KIA FORTE have?
There are 3 fire reports for the 2018 KIA FORTE out of 133 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 KIA FORTE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 KIA FORTE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 KIA FORTE?
9 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 KIA FORTE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 KIA FORTE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 KIA FORTE is acceptable with caveats. It has 133 complaints, 3 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 KIA FORTE?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 KIA FORTE are: 1. ENGINE (35 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (14 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS (8 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE (5 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 35 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 KIA FORTE?
Be cautious of air bag and latches/locks/linkages issues, and check for recalls. Ensure the electrical system and engine are functioning properly. The 2018 KIA FORTE has 133 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 KIA FORTE?
The 2018 KIA FORTE receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 133 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 16 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Air bags and Latches/locks/linkages.
What are the known issues with the 2018 KIA FORTE?
Known issues with the 2018 KIA FORTE include: Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system. These are based on patterns found across 133 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 KIA FORTE?
Yes, there are recalls for air bags, latches/locks/linkages, and engine and engine cooling issues.
What are the common electrical system issues in the 2018 KIA FORTE?
Common electrical system issues include engine failure and loss of power, and problems with the oil pump.
What should I do if I experience engine failure in my 2018 KIA FORTE?
Take your vehicle to a mechanic for inspection and repair as soon as possible.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of air bag and latches/locks/linkages issues, and check for recalls. Ensure the electrical system and engine are functioning properly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Kia Forte
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Kia Forte. The data includes 133 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 13 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 9 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Kia Forte an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16