Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2020 Kia Forte has 0 recalls, 70 complaints, and a 4-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
0
Recalls
70
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated July 7, 2026
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2020 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, th... |
| Jun 9, 2026 | STEERING | Steering wheel is turning completely around and made a noise. I noticed my steering wheel is loose ... |
| Jun 1, 2026 | ENGINE | Why is KIA still legally allowed to sell defective, death traps? Why is it ok for the service depart... |
| May 14, 2026 | ENGINE | Bought the car 8 months ago from a Kia dealer. It is now pulling the same engine codes, of the infam... |
| Apr 29, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | The contact leased a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle began to chu... |
| Apr 16, 2026 | ENGINE | While driving, the vehicle suddenly began knocking severely, smoking, leaking oil, and then shut off... |
| Mar 21, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While driving a 2020 Kia Forte on the expressway at normal speed, the vehicle was operating normally... |
| Mar 19, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | I am reporting a transmission failure in my 2020 Kia Forte with approximately 54,000 miles. The veh... |
| Mar 7, 2026 | TIRES | Two sets of Kumho Solus TA 31's (195/65 R15 91T) experienced rapid tread wear issues. The problem a... |
| Feb 7, 2026 | AIR BAGS | I was driving a vehicle two cars ahead did and illegal turn the car behind it stopped the truck behi... |
| Jan 22, 2026 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on a bend in the hig... |
| Sep 27, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Trunk open alone. Also trunk open when driver door open. |
| Sep 12, 2025 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE | The lane assist malfunction and periodically jerks. Very unsafe I no longer use this feature . To ke... |
| Sep 1, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Equipment premature failure. Dashboard screen bubbling and separation. Beyond 36 months warranty but... |
| Aug 11, 2025 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I own a 2020 Kia Forte LXS with approximately 136,000 miles. The check engine light came on with cod... |
| Jun 30, 2025 | ENGINE | The engine light went on and engine is burning oil mechanic said it needs to be rebuilt it’s current... |
| Jun 27, 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the Forwar... |
| Jun 15, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | We were driving on vacation in the Nevada desert on a Sunday when the RPMs began to bounce between 2... |
| May 27, 2025 | SEAT BELTS | The latch for the drivers seatbelt is no longer functioning properly, dealer stated that the hook th... |
| May 14, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Kia is lying to a judge in Lancaster county PA and federal court by stating I did not opt out of cla... |