Short answer
Among Kia Forte model years through 2024, 2020 and 2024 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2013 has the most (5). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Kia Forte: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 15 (2010–2024)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 18
- Fewest recalls
- 2020 and 2024 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2013 (5)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (7)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018
Kia Forte Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 4 stars | None on record |
| 2023 | 3 | 4 stars | Suspension, Steering |
| 2022 | 1 | 4 stars | Steering |
| 2021 | 2 | 4 stars | Air bags, Steering |
| 2020 | 0 | 4 stars | None on record |
| 2019 | 2 | 4 stars | Exterior lighting, Power train |
| 2018 | 3 | 5 stars | Air bags, Engine and engine cooling, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2017 | 3 | 5 stars | Air bags, Engine and engine cooling, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2016 | 1 | 5 stars | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2015 | 1 | 5 stars | Engine |
| 2014 | 3 | 4 stars | Electrical system, Engine, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2013 | 5 | 4 stars | Service brakes, hydraulic, Air bags, Engine |
| 2012 | 4 | 4 stars | Service brakes, hydraulic, Air bags, Engine |
| 2011 | 3 | 4 stars | Air bags, Power train, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2010 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, hydraulic |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20240 recalls
- 20233 recalls
- 20221 recall
- 20212 recalls
- 20200 recalls
- 20192 recalls
- 20183 recalls
- 20173 recalls
- 20161 recall
- 20151 recall
- 20143 recalls
- 20135 recalls
- 20124 recalls
- 20113 recalls
- 20103 recalls
Kia Forte: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Kia Forte recalls are air bags (7), service brakes, hydraulic (7), engine (4), latches/locks/linkages (3) and steering (3). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 14 of these 15 model years, and 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Kia Forte Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Kia Forte?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2020 and 2024 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Kia Forte model years have the most recalls?
2013 has the most, with 5 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Forte", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy