CarBrief

NHTSA has 26 owner complaints for the 2024 Kia Forte[1], and no recalls are on file for this model year[2]. The complaints still point to a few things worth checking before you buy.

26owner complaints[1]
26–34MPG combined (EPA)[3]
4★NHTSA overall rating[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 26 complaints for this model year[1]. Six mention a crash, two mention injuries, and none mention a fire or a death[1]. One complaint can name more than one part, so the groups below overlap.

In a sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe the car losing power or shutting off while driving, including on a highway[6]. In the power train sample, owners describe shutoffs and also rough shifting[9]. In the air bag sample, owners describe worry that the airbags would not deploy in a crash, and safety system faults they say were not fixed[7]. In the electrical sample, owners describe sudden shutdowns and lights cutting out, with dealers unable to reproduce the problem[8].

These are unverified reports to NHTSA. They show what some owners say happened. They do not show how often it happens.

Recalls

NHTSA shows 0 recalls on file for the 2024 Forte[2]. That can change, so NHTSA shows 0 recalls on file for the 2024 Forte[2]. Checking the VIN with a dealer or NHTSA before you buy is still a sensible step..

Fuel economy

EPA lists four setups for this model year. All are front-wheel drive and use regular gas.

Setup City / Hwy / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
1.6L turbo, Manual 6-spd[13] 22 / 31 / 26 $2,600
1.6L turbo, Automatic (AM-S7)[14] 27 / 35 / 30 $2,250
2.0L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)[15] 28 / 39 / 32 $2,100
Forte FE, 2.0L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)[3] 30 / 41 / 34 $1,950

EPA bases annual cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel-drive Forte 4 stars overall[4]. Frontal and rollover are 4 stars, and side is 5 stars[4]. The rollover risk is listed at 10.7%[4].

Engine and size

EPA lists two engines for 2024: a 1.6L 4-cylinder rated 201 hp[16] and a 2.0L 4-cylinder rated 147 hp[17]. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4DR sedan[18] 183 in 71 in 57 in 106 in 2,769 lb
GT 4DR sedan[19] 183 in 71 in 57 in 106 in 3,012 lb
5 EX 5DR hatch[20] 178 in 71 in 57 in 106 in 2,864 lb
5 GT 5DR hatch[21] 178 in 71 in 57 in 106 in 3,095 lb

How 2024 compares with other years

2010: 232 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 162 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 306 complaints, 4 recalls20122013: 211 complaints, 5 recalls20132014: 445 complaints, 3 recalls20142015: 260 complaints, 1 recalls20152016: 138 complaints, 1 recalls20162017: 305 complaints, 3 recalls20172018: 136 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 149 complaints, 2 recalls20192020: 78 complaints, 0 recalls20202021: 69 complaints, 2 recalls20212022: 28 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 65 complaints, 3 recalls20232024: 26 complaints, 0 recalls262024
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Forte model year. The 2024 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20102323
20111623
20123064
20132115
20144453
20152601
20161381
20173053
20181363
20191492
2020780
2021692
2022281
2023653
2024260

The 2024 model year has 26 complaints[2]. That is the lowest of the 15 Forte model years NHTSA lists[2]. 2022 is next with 28, and 2023 has 65[2]. Older years run much higher, for example 445 for 2014 and 306 for 2012[2].

The 2024 model year has 0 recalls, the same as 2020[2]. The 2024 model year has 0 recalls, the same as 2020[2]. The other 13 years have between 1 and 5[2]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2024 Forte?

On paper the 2024 Forte looks quiet. It has the fewest complaints of any Forte year and no recalls[2]. Owners describe power loss and shutoffs in engine complaints[6], and there are 7 air bag complaints[7] and 2 lane departure complaints[10]. Six of the 26 complaints mention a crash[1]. Test drive it for sudden power loss, ask the seller about any dealer visits for those issues, and run the VIN for recalls. The 4-star overall rating is not the top mark[4].

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2024 Kia Forte have any recalls?
NHTSA shows 0 recalls on file for the 2024 model year[2]. Check the VIN to be sure.
What are the common problems with the 2024 Kia Forte?
NHTSA has 26 complaints[1]. Unknown or other has 9, engine 8, air bags 7 and electrical 6[1][5][6][7][8]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe power loss and shutoffs[6].
What is the gas mileage of the 2024 Kia Forte?
EPA combined ratings run from 26 MPG for the 1.6L turbo manual[13] to 34 MPG for the Forte FE[3].
How safe is the 2024 Kia Forte?
NHTSA rates the 4-door front-wheel-drive Forte 4 stars overall and 5 stars for side impact[4].
Is the 2024 Forte better than other years?
It has fewer complaints (26) than any other year listed, and 0 recalls[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on file for the 2024 Kia Forte (6 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Forte model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Forte FE, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 41 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 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
  5. 9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 8 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 7 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 6 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 4 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 2 complaints name the lane departure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 2 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 2 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Forte, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Forte, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 39 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA Test Car List, 2024 Kia Forte with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 201 hp. www.epa.gov
  17. EPA Test Car List, 2024 Kia Forte with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 147 hp. www.epa.gov
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.