2020 Kia Forte problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 76 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Kia Forte, filed between 2019-09-22 and 2026-09-21. The most common problem areas are the engine (18, 24%), power train (16, 21%) and electrical system (11, 14%). Owners reported 9 crashes, 2 fires and 6 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 0 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2020 Kia Forte complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 26 | 34% | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 18 | 24% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Power train | 16 | 21% | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 7% | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 5 | 7% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 5% | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 4% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | 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: 18 complaints
- 18 complaints of 76 (24%) name the engine.
- 3 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Kia Forte covers this system.
Power train: 16 complaints
- 16 complaints of 76 (21%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 2 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 crash and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Kia Forte covers this system.
Electrical system: 11 complaints
- 11 complaints of 76 (14%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 3 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Kia Forte covers this system.
Air bags: 5 complaints
- 5 complaints of 76 (7%) name the air bags — frontal, side and curtain air bags, their crash sensors and control module.
- Owners reported 4 crashes and 5 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Kia Forte covers this system.
Forward collision avoidance: 5 complaints
- 5 complaints of 76 (7%) name the forward collision avoidance — forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
- 3 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Kia Forte covers this system.
Vehicle speed control: 4 complaints
- 4 complaints of 76 (5%) name the vehicle speed control — cruise control and accelerator/throttle control.
- Owners reported 2 crashes in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Kia Forte covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 17 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names FORTE, model year 2020. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2020 Kia Forte recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Forte?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2020 Kia Forte's most common problem areas are the engine (18 of 76 complaints), power train (16 of 76 complaints) and electrical system (11 of 76 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2020 Kia Forte have?
NHTSA has 76 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Kia Forte, including 9 reported crashes and 2 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Kia Forte's problems?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2020 Kia Forte. Complaints alone do not trigger a free repair.