Photo: CapCase / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2018 Kia Forte: common problems and reliability
An average Forte year.
138 owner complaints, most about engine. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2018 Forte?The 2018 Kia Forte has 138 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2018 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2018 Kia Forte vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Forte years only. How we score it
Is 2018 a good year for the Forte?
Across the 16 Forte model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2009) to 885 (2014). With 138 complaints, the 2018 Forte sits about the same as the model's median of 147.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2018 Forte
air bags
Campaign 22V031000Kia 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.
latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch
Campaign 21V622000Kia 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."
engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump
Campaign 21V260000Kia 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on model year and powertrain.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Forte. See the full Forte owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Forte listings typically run $15,679–$18,438 across 2014 to 2024 model years.
Other Forte model years
Compare every Forte year side by side to see how 2018 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Forte against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy