The Lemon Index2018 Kia Forte.
The 2018 Kia Forte is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 43 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 40, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 25 to 32 mpg combined. The best Kia Forte year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 136 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Kia Forte year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 79K miles on the car (51 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 37K–127K miles
Recalls 3
- airbags 2022
The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit.
- latches/locks/linkages 2021
The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside.
- engine 2021
Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 100 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- CYLINDER HEAD STEEL BALL INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION - This Pitstop provides information…
- PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake…
- Technical service bulletin: excessive oil consumption nu/gamma/theta/kappa engines - this…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Forte 5 HB FWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2000–2550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle repeatedly stalls and must be restarted when travelling at low speeds. Manufacturer and dealership both recommended replacing aftermarket automatic starter and problem still persists.
2018 Kia Forte owner · NHTSA complaint 11351298
More owner reports
When accelerating there is no power and it is going to cause the accident I was on the freeway I went to switch lanes I hit the gas and the car would not move just stood there and rp m's going up
NHTSA complaint 11191632
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Kia Forte reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 40; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Forte year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2018 Kia Forte problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (26%), speed control (16%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Forte have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia Forte get?
25 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Kia Forte safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Kia Forte problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 8,000 and 79,000 miles. The middle report was at 33,900 miles, from 51 complaints.
Does the 2018 Kia Forte have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Kia Forte cost in fuel a year?
About $2000 to $2550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Kia Forte have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Kia Forte year is better than the 2018?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2011 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works