
Closest available photo (2009 model year); you're viewing the 2011.
Overview
- Body
- Midsize CarsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Transmission
- Manual 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
- 156
- Power to weight
- 0.056 hp/lb
- Axle ratio
- 4.33
- Cyl
- 4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Efficiency
- MPG Hwy
- 34 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- MPG City
- 25 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
- Smog score
- 5/10
- Elec. Range
- 0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- SmartWay certified
- Yes
Dimensions & capacity
- Length
- 176 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
- 104 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Curb Weight
- 2,780 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Pass. Vol
- 97 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Cargo Vol
- 15 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Safety NHTSA, model year
⚠ This model year has a recall advising owners to park outside or away from structures (fire risk). Check with the manufacturer.
- Overall crash rating
- ★★★★★
- Rollover rating
- ★★★★★
- Stability control (ESC)
- Standard
- Forward-collision warning
- No
- Lane-departure warning
- No
- Recalls
- 3
- Owner complaints
- 160
- Reported injuries
- 34
- Theft rate
- 1.7 per 1,000 produced (CY 2011 federal data)
Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year
- ENGINE22%
- AIR BAGS16%
- POWER TRAIN9%
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7%
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC7%
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER6%
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 222 total.
Kia Forte: best and worst yearsFederal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year
AQ23002Openopened Nov 17, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
DP22003opened Sep 12, 2022ENGINE
Loss of Motive Power
PE18003opened Mar 16, 2018SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
Air bags may be disabled during crash
Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year
76 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year
Mar 4, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMPI2102_OWNR_501
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2102 FLIGHT #501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2010-2011 MY Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles equipped with 2.4-liter MPI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine C
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 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
Jul 1, 2025ENGINEPI2102_OWNR_401
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2102) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2010-2011 MY Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles equipped with 2.4-liter MPI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit (“ECU”).
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.
Nov 7, 2024ENGINEPI2102YZ_TSB_R1
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2102Y/Z) - 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 related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (PI2102) titled “Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement” for 2010-2011MY Forte and Fort
Nov 5, 2024ENGINEPI2102_OWNR_301
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2102) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (PI2101) titled “Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement” for 2011MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles equipped with Theta 2.4L MPI engine, produced from October 24, 2009 through June 24, 2011. Specifically, this bulletin provides instructions on which procedu
Oct 18, 2024STEERINGCS2311_TSB_R3
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - 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 to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrat
- and 68 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.