NHTSA has 78 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Kia Forte[1]. The biggest groups are unknown or other parts, the engine and the power train[2][3][4].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA reports, biggest first.
- Unknown or other. 26 complaints[2]. These reports do not point to one named part, so there is no single story to retell.
- Engine. 23 complaints[3]. Owners describe the car stalling while driving, warning lights coming on, a loss of power on the highway and, in one story, smoke from under the hood.
- Power train. 16 complaints[4]. Owners describe weak acceleration from a stop, rough shifting, slipping and a car that stopped moving forward or back.
- Electrical system. 11 complaints[7]. In the stories we read, owners describe a car that shuts off or will not start, a locked steering wheel and key, windows that jam and water getting into the trunk.
- Forward collision avoidance. 6 complaints[8]. Owners describe warning lights that come on for no clear reason and a car that braked by itself.
- Air bags. 5 complaints[9].
- Speed control. 4 complaints[10].
- Steering. 3 complaints[11].
These are unverified reports sent in by owners. One complaint can name more than one part.
Recalls
NHTSA's records show 0 recalls for the 2020 Forte[12].
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Forte, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[13] | 27 / 35 / 30 | $2,250 |
| Forte, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[14] | 25 / 32 / 28 | $2,400 |
| Forte FE, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[5] | 31 / 41 / 35 | $1,900 |
| Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] | 29 / 40 / 33 | $2,050 |
| Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] | 27 / 37 / 31 | $2,150 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD[6] | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 10.7% |
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2020 Kia Forte with 1.6L 4-cylinder[17] | 201 hp |
| 2020 Kia Forte with 2.0L 4-cylinder[18] | 147 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2020 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 232 | 3 |
| 2011 | 162 | 3 |
| 2012 | 306 | 4 |
| 2013 | 211 | 5 |
| 2014 | 445 | 3 |
| 2015 | 260 | 1 |
| 2016 | 138 | 1 |
| 2017 | 305 | 3 |
| 2018 | 136 | 3 |
| 2019 | 149 | 2 |
| 2020 | 78 | 0 |
| 2021 | 69 | 2 |
| 2022 | 28 | 1 |
| 2023 | 65 | 3 |
| 2024 | 26 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Forte show 78 complaints and 0 recalls for 2020[12]. Among the 15 model years listed, 4 have fewer complaints than 2020 and 10 have more[12]. The fewest complaints are for 2024 (26) and the most are for 2014 (445)[12]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2020 Forte?
The 2020 Kia Forte has a modest pile of complaints, 78 in all[1]. The engine and power train groups are the ones owners write about most when they name a part[3][4]. Some reports mention crashes, fires or injuries, so read the group facts above before you decide[1]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide and not a score. A pre-purchase inspection and a check of the recall list are sensible steps for any used car.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Forte?
- Among complaints that name a part, the engine group is the largest at 23 complaints[3], followed by the power train at 16[4]. A bigger group of 26 does not name one part[2].
- Does the 2020 Kia Forte have recalls?
- The recalls section of this page lists them. The by-year fact shows the recall count for this model year[12].
- Is the 2020 Kia Forte reliable?
- There are 78 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. Engine and power train reports are the largest named groups[3][4]. Read the problems section to judge for yourself.
- How many complaints does the 2020 Kia Forte have?
- NHTSA has 78 owner complaints on file[1]. The by-year section puts that in context[12].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Kia Forte?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Kia Forte
Compare all model years of the Kia Forte
Other Kia models from 2020
Similar cars from 2020: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 78 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Kia Forte (9 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 26 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Forte FE, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 31 city / 41 highway / 35 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Forte model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Forte, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Forte, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 32 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 40 highway / 33 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 37 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2020 Kia Forte with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 201 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2020 Kia Forte with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 147 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORTE 4DR SEDAN: length 183 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,769 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORTE GT 4DR SEDAN: length 183 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,012 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORTE5 EX 5DR HATCH: length 178 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,864 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORTE5 GT 5DR HATCH: length 178 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,095 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov