2015 Kia Forte problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 259 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Kia Forte, filed between 2014-11-12 and 2026-09-10. The most common problem areas are the engine (157, 61%), electrical system (29, 11%) and air bags (23, 9%). Owners reported 16 crashes, 20 fires, 11 injuries and 1 death in these complaints. NHTSA lists 1 recall for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2015 Kia Forte complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 157 | 61% | 2 | 16 | 1 |
| Unknown or other | 31 | 12% | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 29 | 11% | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Air bags | 23 | 9% | 10 | 0 | 6 |
| Power train | 17 | 7% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 15 | 6% | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 13 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 2% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 2% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 2% | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Tires | 2 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Engine: 157 complaints
- 157 complaints of 259 (61%) name the engine.
- 11 of them also name the power train; owners reported 2 crashes, 16 fires and 1 injury in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2015 Kia Forte; the recall, campaign 20V750000, says: “An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.”
Electrical system: 29 complaints
- 29 complaints of 259 (11%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 10 of them also name the engine; owners reported 2 fires in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Kia Forte covers this system.
Air bags: 23 complaints
- 23 complaints of 259 (9%) name the air bags — frontal, side and curtain air bags, their crash sensors and control module.
- 2 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 10 crashes, 6 injuries and 1 death in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Kia Forte covers this system.
Power train: 17 complaints
- 17 complaints of 259 (7%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 11 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Kia Forte covers this system.
Service brakes: 15 complaints
- 15 complaints of 259 (6%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 2 of them also name the air bags; owners reported 2 crashes and 3 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Kia Forte covers this system.
Exterior lighting: 13 complaints
- 13 complaints of 259 (5%) name the exterior lighting — headlights, tail and brake lights and turn signals.
- 5 of them also name the electrical system; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Kia Forte covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 24 |
| 2020 | 43 |
| 2021 | 47 |
| 2022 | 36 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 23 |
| 2026 | 8 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names FORTE, FORTE KOUP, model year 2015. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2015 Kia Forte recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Kia Forte?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2015 Kia Forte's most common problem areas are the engine (157 of 259 complaints), electrical system (29 of 259 complaints) and air bags (23 of 259 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2015 Kia Forte have?
NHTSA has 259 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Kia Forte, including 16 reported crashes and 20 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Kia Forte's problems?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2015 Kia Forte; 1 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.