The Forte is a safe and reliable daily driver, but 2013 and 2014 were not its best years. Issues include engine knocking, fire hazards, and failing emissions tests, plus investigations over airbags not deploying during crashes. However, the 2016 model substantially reduced consumer complaints and had zero investigations.
Key Points
- The Kia Forte is an affordable compact car that comes with many value-added features and a good level of reliability in most of its model years.
- The worst year of the Kia Forte is 2014. With over 300 consumer complaints about airbags not deploying during a crash, faulty turning signals, and the bulbs from the brake light and tail lights constantly burning out.
- There’s one investigation with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration related to engine fires occurring under various non-crash-related circumstances in the Forte’s 2014 model.
- Seven investigations and numerous complaints about airbags not deploying during crashes have dogged the Forte from 2011 through 2014.
- The best Kia Forte is the 2016 model, which had a single recall for the potential failure of the trunk emergency release and counted zero investigations for the first time in five years. In addition, the 2016 model only reported 74 complaints compared to 159 from the previous year.
- Along with having good reliability scores, the Forte has an expected lifespan of well over 250,000 miles.
Faulty Interior and Exterior Lighting and Engines that May Experience Knocking Noises and Potentially Catch Fire Make the 2014 Kia Forte the Compact Car’s Worst Year
The 2014 Kia Forte, which marked the introduction of the compact’s second generation in North America, is the vehicle’s worst year among the 2010 to 2021 models.
It counts three recalls, 301 complaints, and one open investigation with the NHTSA. The recalls include fire due to fuel and/or engine oil leaks, brake pedal deterioration due to brake light switch plunger not retracting correctly, and the cooling fan resistor overheating and melting.
From the 301 complaints of this model year, 40 are related to problems with electrical components, including faulty turning signals and brake lights constantly burning, brake light failure on both tail lights, and flickering headlights and interior lights.
There are 52 airbag-related complaints, mainly due to reports of airbag warning lights staying on.
Engine Noises and Potential Fire Due to Engine Failure Are the Main Cause of the 2014 Forte’s Complaints and Investigation
Most complaints in the 2014 model year are related to engine problems such as ticking and knocking noises, engine failure, excessive oil consumption, and oil leaking onto the catalytic converter.
Regarding the investigation on engine fires, multiple recalls were initiated by Hyundai and Kia for “Theta II” engine-equipped vehicles, including the Forte, due to non-crash fires, caused by engine failure. The remedies involve engine inspection and engine replacement if necessary.
Defective Airbags and Engine Fires Affect the Kia Forte’s 2013 Model Year
With four recalls, three investigations, and 129 complaints with the NHTSA, 2013 is one of the most problematic Kia Forte model years. Complaints range from airbags not deploying during a crash, engine failure causing fires, and tail lights and brake lights constantly burning out, to name a few.
The recalls comprise fire caused by engine damage and a short circuit in the airbag control unit (ACU), preventing the frontal airbags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying during a crash.
Also, there’s one recall related to brake pedal stopper deterioration. Another recall is related to improperly tightened seat belt retractor screws.
The three investigations in this model year include one for engine failure causing fire and two related to airbags not deploying correctly during frontal crash events due to electrical overstress in the airbag control unit. The airbag control unit senses a vehicle crash to determine whether airbag deployment is required.
2016 Kia Forte is Among Model’s Best Years with Fewer Problems, a Sole Recall, and Zero Investigations
If you’re in the market for a Kia Forte and reliability is a top priority, the 2016 model is the one to get. Kia sold 103,292 units of the 2016 Forte with only 75 complaints and a sole recall at the NHTSA. In addition, this model earned a five-star overall safety rating.
The 2016 Kia Forte is one of the few model years without an investigation by the NHTSA and boasts a J.D. power consumer rating of 85 out of 100, ranking third place in the “Best Compact Car of 2016” category.
Along with addressing earlier problems, the 2016 Kia Forte (sedan) earned a five-star rating (out of five), with four stars in overall frontal-impact protection and a five-star score for overall side-impact protection in government crash tests.
In the moderate frontal overlap frontal-offset impact test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Forte earned the agency’s highest score of “Good”. It scored the same in side-impact, roof strength, head restraints, and seats.
Despite Having Some Troubled Years, the Kia Forte Remains a Reliable and Affordable Compact Car
If you’re in the market for an affordable commuter car with a good record of reliability, the Kia Forte should be on your list. Even the more problematic 2013 and 2014 model years, which had the most recalls and complaints, offer an acceptable level of reliability.
In addition, Kia has shown the willingness to fix any problems related to their vehicles which provides more confidence to potential buyers of the Forte. Still, if you want to minimize the risk of something going wrong with your Forte, 2016 will be your best bet.
Photos: Kia
