2018 Kia Forte recalls and problems
The 2018 Kia Forte has 3 safety recalls and 136 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2018 Kia Forte vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2018 Kia Forte recalls
Recall 22V-031: Air Bags
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.
Fix: 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 21V-622: Latches/Locks/Linkages
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.
Fix: 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 21V-260: Engine and Engine Cooling
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.
Fix: 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.
2018 Kia Forte problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 57 | |
| Unknown or Other | 30 | |
| Air Bags | 16 | |
| Electrical System | 16 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 | |
| Power Train | 8 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 | |
| Structure | 7 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | |
| Steering | 5 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
Most reported parts
- Structure › Body — 7
- Tires › Tread/Belt — 2
- Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Immobilizer/Proximity › Key/Sender — 2
- Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 1
- Tires › Sidewall — 1
- Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Latch — 1
- Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — 1
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 33,937 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2018 Kia Forte complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Kia Forte years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Kia Forte have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Kia Forte: 22V-031 (air bags), 21V-622 (latches/locks/linkages), 21V-260 (engine and engine cooling). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Kia Forte?
Owners report engine problems most often (57 reports), followed by unknown or other (30). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 33,937 miles.
Are Kia recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.