2018 Kia Forte problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Forte, most often about engine. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 114
Recalls: 3
Crashes: 10
Fires: 2
Injuries: 7
Median mileage: 68,000 mi

Key facts

Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 57 of 114 complaints (50%).
Airbags (14) and electrical system (14) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 68,000 mi.
Owners reported 10 crashes, 2 fires and 7 injuries.
The 2018 Kia Forte has 3 recalls on file.
It ranks 6th of 15 Kia Forte model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 52% fewer complaints than the 2017 model year (237).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Engine	53
Unknown or other	23
Air bags	14
Electrical system	12
Fuel/propulsion system	6
Exterior lighting	5
Structure:body	5
Engine and engine cooling	5

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Kia Forte complaints that list mileage.

2018 Kia Forte recalls (3)

Recall 22V031000Jan 25, 2022410,619 vehicles
AIR BAGS
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.
Recall 21V622000Aug 9, 2021253,074 vehicles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
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.
Recall 21V260000Apr 13, 20214,069 vehicles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
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.

Recent 2018 Kia Forte complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Aug 31, 2026100,300 miSCTowedEngine
The contact's son owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, with the oil pressure warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle was turned off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but there was white smoke coming from the engine.…
NHTSA complaint #11761101 · source
Filed Apr 27, 2026FLLighting
Have to replace running lights every 4-6 months on both of my headlights. Happened every 4-6 months since I got the car in 2017
NHTSA complaint #11734041 · source
Filed Mar 24, 2026104,000 miOHEngine
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was discovered that the engine oil level was extremely low. The dealer kept the vehicle for nine months and performed an oil change. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who replaced the oil gasket cover, but the failure recurred…
NHTSA complaint #11726619 · source
Filed Feb 25, 2026CTEngine
Recently, while my boyfriend was driving my vehicle, the engine suddenly lost power without warning. He had the accelerator pedal fully depressed, yet the vehicle would barely move. He was fortunate to safely maneuver the vehicle off the road. Upon inspection, he discovered there was no oil present in the engine. Critically, neither the low oil warning light nor the check engine light had illuminated prior to this failure, providing absolutely no warning of a severe…
NHTSA complaint #11720401 · source
Filed Feb 19, 2026FLEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
While driving the car with the flow of busy traffic, the engine failed and the car stopped. It eventually turn back on (side of the road) but now drives with hesitation, a strange noise, and with the engine light on. This cycle continued until we arrived at the repair shop. And after much research, it seems that this experience is common for other Kia engines. Why was mine not included? Someone could have been badly injured!
NHTSA complaint #11719191 · source
Filed Feb 16, 2026OHEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown
Engine would run fast and then sound like was going to stop and then it would start shaking and rumbling while driving on highway and in town. Car would stall while at a stop. Gas smells inside the car. Did not feel safe driving. Had the car towed to an independent garage on February 7th and They did an oil change, change 2 Sensors, changed all the spark plugs and changed all 4 Cylinders and on the way home from Starks garage the car was doing the same as before going to the…
NHTSA complaint #11718356 · source
Filed Feb 9, 2026CTOther / Unknown
I went to Kia dealership in Groton CT 06340 for an oil change. They also fixed a recent recall, and after I picked up my car, both of my key fobs weren’t working. I can’t open my car. I can’t lock my car and they are refusing to fix it. I contacted kia corporate. they were not helpful. What can I do here to have this situation resolved? I’m worried that the anti theft system doesn’t work now on my car because my key fobs don’t work at all.
NHTSA complaint #11716854 · source
Filed Jan 29, 2026NMEngine
No warning lights/ indicators at all. Well taken care of vehicle 84,400 miles on the vehicle second owner. Had an oil change and my husband noticed bad blow by, had it diagnosed by a mechanic. They said we need a whole new engine. Dont understand how this would happen unless some manufacturer defect. No recalls apparently for this vehicle. Seems to be a common issue. Really sucks that I dont even have 100000 miles and need a new engine. We got screwed over as first time…
NHTSA complaint #11714332 · source

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Other 2018 Kia models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology