Overview
- Body
- Midsize CarsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Transmission
- Automatic 6-spdEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Powertrain
- GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Fuel
- RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Engine & performance
- HP
- 173
- Power to weight
- 0.060 hp/lb
- Axle ratio
- 3.06
- Cyl
- 4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Start-stop system
- NoEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Efficiency
- MPG Hwy
- 35 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- MPG City
- 24 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- MPG Comb
- 28 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Fuel $/yr
- $2,200EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- CO₂
- 318 g/miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Eco Score
- 7/10EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Smog score
- 5/10
- Elec. Range
- 0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Real-world MPG
- 31.2 mpg, reported by 3 driversabout 3.2 mpg above the EPA combined estimate
- SmartWay certified
- Yes
Dimensions & capacity
- Length
- 178 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Width
- 70 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Height
- 57 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Wheelbase
- 106 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Curb Weight
- 2,903 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Pass. Vol
- 96 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Cargo Vol
- 14 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Safety NHTSA, model year
- Overall crash rating
- ★★★★★
- Rollover rating
- ★★★★★
- Stability control (ESC)
- Standard
- Forward-collision warning
- No
- Lane-departure warning
- No
- Recalls
- 3
- Owner complaints
- 435
- Reported injuries
- 29
- Theft rate
- 2.0 per 1,000 produced (CY 2014 federal data)
Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year
- ENGINE33%
- AIR BAGS10%
- STEERING10%
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9%
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER8%
- SERVICE BRAKES4%
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 637 total.
Kia Forte: best and worst yearsFederal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year
EA21003opened Dec 22, 2021ENGINE
Engine Fires
Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year
161 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year
Dec 19, 2025STRUCTURE:BODYCS2311_OWNR_PC201
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. Kia has developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade and can be installed at the ignition cylinder location to provide additional protection against the social media theft method. Prior notifications stated that this modification had to be performed by July 1, 2025, but the subject vehic
Dec 18, 2025STRUCTURE:BODYTSB_CS2312
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 19, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In
Dec 17, 2025STRUCTURE:BODYCS2312_OWNR
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made available to owners of eligible Kia model vehicles free of charge at authorized Kia dealers since 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade has been developed and can be installed at th
Dec 9, 2025BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGSPS797
PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal transmission and reception times between the vehicle (ultrasonic sensor) and an object. The membrane film of the ultrasonic sensor is used for object detention and can be damaged by stone chips or for
Apr 17, 2025POWER TRAINTSB_TRA046_R5
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.
Apr 3, 2025ENGINETSB_ENG222_R8
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the table on pages 9 and 10 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
Mar 18, 2025SERVICE BRAKESSC238_OWNR_401
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SALT-STATE: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC238) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia conducting Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace brake line(s) in certain 2014-2017 MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently registered in states where heavy amounts of road salt are used. In addition, an anti-corrosion material will be applied to the underbody components for added protection.
Feb 28, 2025ENGINETSB_ENG222_R7
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the tables on pages 8-9 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
- and 153 more
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
Warranty manufacturer terms, by make
- Basic
- 5 yr / 60k mi
- Powertrain
- 10 yr / 100k mi
- Roadside assistance
- 5 yr / 60k mi
- EV battery
- 10 yr / 100k mi
Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.