NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Kia Forte; the most frequently affected component is air bags. Owners filed 136 complaints, most often about engine. Among the 15 model years of this model in the database, 2018 ranks #7 for number of recalls.
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
Latches/locks/linkages — LatchCampaign 21V622000 · 09 Aug 2021
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.
What owners complain about
Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Engine22 · 55%
Unknown or other10 · 25%
Electrical system6 · 15%
Exterior lighting3 · 8%
Air bags2 · 5%
Service brakes2 · 5%
Vehicle speed control2 · 5%
Fuel/propulsion system2 · 5%
When complaints were filed
202412
202518
202610
From owner complaints
My radio speakers will sound like there are blown. At a certain speed, I will break and the seat will move in the passenger side and sometimes in the driver side by itself.
When the key is in the ignition and the car is running to warm up and I've forgotten something in my home and need to retrieve my item the car has automatically locks all of the doors with the car still running, I only was given one (1) key, so I have to eithe remember to roll down a window or leave a door standing…
While driving on U.S. 69 highway in Overland Park, Kansas, the engine in my 2018 Kia Forte suddenly failed without warning. I was entering the northbound lanes from the 95th Street on-ramp and was accelerating to merge at about 50 mph. There had been no prior warning lights or messages. Just after getting into the…
My vehicle is using alot of oil and will not start the warning comes up is concerning the oil pump.
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.