2020 Kia Forte Safety Report
2020 KIA FORTE Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Kia Forte
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 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 | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (63) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 11 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Kia Forte with 21 complaints and 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Kia Forte | 64 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Kia Forte | 138 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Kia Forte | 21 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Kia Forte | 133 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Kia Forte | 52 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Kia Forte | 295 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Kia Forte Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 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.
Unknown Or Other
21 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyPower Train
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Kia onlyEngine
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyAir Bags
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Kia onlyElectrical System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Kia onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Kia Forte
Reliability Score
The 2020 Kia Forte receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 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 2020 Kia Forte
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Kia Forte:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Reports indicate that engine and engine cooling issues can cause power loss and dashboard malfunctions, typically occurring between 30,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Tire Tread Wear Tires, specifically the Kumho Solus TA 31, have experienced rapid tread wear, leading to potential handling issues, typically occurring between 20,000 to 40,000 miles. |
Medium | Common | 20k-40k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Malfunction Forward collision avoidance systems have malfunctioned, causing sudden vehicle reactions, with reports of this issue occurring between 20,000 to 60,000 miles. |
High | Common | 20k-60k miles |
| Dashboard Screen Delamination Dashboard screens have been delaminating, making all functions in the screen inaccessible, typically occurring between 36,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Medium | Common | 36k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Kia Forte:
Issues with forward collision avoidance systems have been reported, causing sudden vehicle reactions.
Engine and engine cooling issues have been reported, causing power loss and dashboard malfunctions.
Tire tread wear is a concern, leading to potential handling problems.
Dashboard screens have been delaminating, making all functions in the screen inaccessible.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Kia Forte
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Kia Forte with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 6 complaints involved crashes. 2 involved fires. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
While driving a 2020 Kia Forte on the expressway at normal speed, the vehicle was operating normally with no prior warning lights or known issues. Suddenly, the brakes began to feel weak, as if they were failing. Immediately after, a popping sound was heard from the vehicle, followed by smoke coming from the side/underneath area. Within moments, the smoke intensified and the vehicle caught fire. ...
Two sets of Kumho Solus TA 31's (195/65 R15 91T) experienced rapid tread wear issues. The problem and safety issue has been confirmed by Fred Beans Kia of Mechanicsburg, PA, but with hassles to do so. I believe this matter actually effects consumers nationwide, which leads to additional high replacement costs as a result of product quality. Consumers are effected by not just the manufacturer, b...
I was driving a vehicle two cars ahead did and illegal turn the car behind it stopped the truck behind them stopped I stopped behind the truck the car behind me did not stop and slammed me into the back of the truck in my airbags did not deploy
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on a bend in the highway, a deer jumped over the barrier and landed on the top of the contact's front windshield. The contact stated that she was knocked unconscious due to the impact. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags did not deploy. The contact was strapped in the driver's seat when she regained consciousnes...
The crankshaft position sensor keeps going bad and it make the forward collision trigger and it loses power and the dash stops working and causes the car to shut off
Trunk open alone. Also trunk open when driver door open.
Equipment premature failure. Dashboard screen bubbling and separation. Beyond 36 months warranty but early failure 2020 vehicle with 28,000 miles
The lane assist malfunction and periodically jerks. Very unsafe I no longer use this feature . To keep control of the vehicle. I never got it inspected. As the lane assist was in use and it would jerk it would alert me of a lane departure . I mention this to include every known problem I have experienced with the vehicle. The problem That brought me here. Is my engine light came on today. Leading...
I own a 2020 Kia Forte LXS with approximately 136,000 miles. The check engine light came on with code P0420 (“catalyst system efficiency below threshold”), and an Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers location confirmed the catalytic converter is failing. The back pressure was measured and is within spec but slightly elevated, showing the part is deteriorating. I was also told my O2 sensors are burn...
Kia is lying to a judge in Lancaster county PA and federal court by stating I did not opt out of class action when they know I opted out end of 2023. Kia also knows these cars are still being stolen and have taken no action to prevent thefts or damage to vehicles. The "upgrade" does not work. My car sustained 7000.00 of damage in May 2025 and had the "upgrade" installed. On the same night, t...
The engine light went on and engine is burning oil mechanic said it needs to be rebuilt it’s currently under financing from kia and not sure if they cover this
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance camera activated, causing the brakes to stop the vehicle unintendedly. The Forward Collision Avoidance system activated without a vehicle or person nearby. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and waited before restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was started with the...
We were driving on vacation in the Nevada desert on a Sunday when the RPMs began to bounce between 2,000 and 4,000 RPMs causing the carto jerk back and forth when we were going up hill. This continued until it got to the point where the engine was going 8,000 RPMs but we were not moving forward. It felt like when driving a stick shift and you are out of gear. We pulled off and were towed to St....
The multimedia screen is delaminating. The screen ends not working making all functions in it inaccesible. Dealer only provides solution if the vehicle has less than 3 years or 36000 miles. The manufacturer only claims to its warranty terms. The screen starts delamination and evolves day by day.
The latch for the drivers seatbelt is no longer functioning properly, dealer stated that the hook that holds the buckle in was worn down. Car has 50k miles and is slightly over 5 years old, seems unreasonable that a seatbelt latch would fail that early. In the past, when inserting the buckle into the latch it would not properly latch and immediately fall out, and then once latched again it stayed....
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The f...
My vehicle lost 3 quarts of oil between oil changes somehow. The engine is bad now and has to be replaced. Never did a check engine light or oil pressure light come on to alert me that my car was burning oil somehow and the oil was low. At the oil change a few weeks ago the techs underneath my car called out that everything was normal under the car. No leaks, no oil spots anywhere. My safety was...
Transmission from the original factory failed on it. I was driving when the engine check engine light came on and my car started ringing at me to get it serviced. I got the transmission replaced and not even 2 days later a brand new transmission failed yet again. This time the transmission (new) was revving up and down while driving at a consistent speed for a few minutes. Then my car started slip...
My vehicle has 74,000 miles on it. While driving on the highway at 70 mph, the RPMs began fluctuating erratically, jumping from 2,000 to 3,000 and then from 2,000 to 5,000 before the car completely slipped into neutral. I was stranded in the middle of nowhere. Took it to the dealership and since it's out of warranty they quoted me 3500 American dollars to replace the transmission. Don't buy a Kia.
1st problem, catalytic converter code says it's bad, check engine light on ever since, car is only 4 years old. 2nd problem possible electrical or wiring issue. Had to replace front right headlight(2times), back brake lights both sides, rear top brake light (2 times), daytime running lights both(2 times), currently right light bulb works, but light on says needs replacement. All in total changed 5...
Showing 20 of 63 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Kia Forte
Has the 2020 KIA FORTE been recalled?
No, the 2020 KIA FORTE has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2020 KIA FORTE have?
The 2020 KIA FORTE has 63 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 9 involved crashes. 6 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 KIA FORTE?
The 2020 KIA FORTE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 KIA FORTE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 KIA FORTE involve unknown or other (21 complaints), power train (10 complaints), engine (4 complaints). Other affected components include air bags, electrical system, engine and engine cooling.
How many crash reports does the 2020 KIA FORTE have?
There are 9 crash reports associated with the 2020 KIA FORTE out of 63 total complaints (14.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 KIA FORTE have?
There are 2 fire reports for the 2020 KIA FORTE out of 63 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 KIA FORTE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 KIA FORTE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 KIA FORTE?
6 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 KIA FORTE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 KIA FORTE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 KIA FORTE is acceptable with caveats. It has 63 complaints, 0 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 KIA FORTE?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 KIA FORTE are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (21 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (10 complaints), 3. ENGINE (4 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS (3 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 21 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 KIA FORTE?
Be cautious of potential engine and cooling issues, tire wear, and dashboard screen problems. Ensure regular maintenance and check for recalls. The 2020 KIA FORTE has 63 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2020 KIA FORTE?
The 2020 KIA FORTE receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 63 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 11 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Tire Tread Wear.
What are the known issues with the 2020 KIA FORTE?
Known issues with the 2020 KIA FORTE include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Tire Tread Wear, Forward Collision Avoidance Malfunction, Dashboard Screen Delamination. These are based on patterns found across 63 NHTSA complaints.
Are there any known issues with the engine and cooling system?
Yes, engine and cooling issues can cause power loss and dashboard malfunctions, typically occurring between 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
What about tire tread wear?
Tires, specifically the Kumho Solus TA 31, have experienced rapid tread wear, leading to potential handling issues, typically occurring between 20,000 to 40,000 miles.
Can you tell me about the forward collision avoidance system?
Forward collision avoidance systems have malfunctioned, causing sudden vehicle reactions, with reports of this issue occurring between 20,000 to 60,000 miles.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential engine and cooling issues, tire wear, and dashboard screen problems. Ensure regular maintenance and check for recalls.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Kia Forte
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Kia Forte. The data includes 63 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 9 reported crashes, 2 fire incidents, 6 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Kia Forte an overall safety rating of 4 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