2018 Kia Forte
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 136 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 16 Forte model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 13 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 9 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bagsJan 25, 2022
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.
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, trunk lid, latchAug 9, 2021
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."
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 21V622000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, oil/lubrication, pumpApr 13, 2021
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.
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V260000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
8 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 2, 2026
There is an issue with the fuel pump where it would stall or shut off while driving or at a stoplight
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 16, 2026
Engine would run fast and then sound like was going to stop and then it would start shaking and rumbling while driving on highway and in town. Car would stall while at a stop. Gas smells inside the car. Did not feel safe driving. Had the car towed to an independent garage on February 7th and They did an oil change, change 2 Sensors, changed all the spark plugs and changed all 4 Cylinders and on the way home from Starks garage the car was doing the same as before going to the garage with gas smells inside the car, shaking, rumbling and stalling of the engine. And the car wanting to stall while on the highway speed limit of going 60 mph. the next morning My mom and stepdad had the car towed again to another mechanic close to them at Hudson Import Automotive -Napa Auto Care and they emailed a list of problems after inspecting the car. Attaching the list of codes from a diagnostic test from Auto Zone Store # 00791 , and the Estimate for Service from Hudson Import Automotive - Napa Auto Care. Have no paperwork from Starks mechanic shop.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 12, 2023
My Vehicle stalls and shuts while driving in the midst of traffic
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 15, 2022
I was told to come to service department on 2/22/2022 to change my indicator light because it was not working and had to be ordered in advance and for RECALL on TRUNK LATCH. The invoice said bulb was replaced and trunk lock and did Multi Point Inspection. I asked her if everything was Ok with my car she said yes but the next day I realized it indicator light was still not working. I got another RECALL TO REPLACE AIR BAG. I called in and got a service appointment for 4/2/2022. I told them the indicator was still not working and I was having an oil leak. They said $155.00 for inspection for leak, confirmed that one of the OIL PAN was leaking and would cost $200.00 to replace but it was cover under warranty. I said OK. When I turned on car and try to drive out there was a funny scraping sound, one of the Managers came out when he saw me stop and getting out of car and said it was because of the painted surface of the service entrance. The next day I looked at the invoice and saw that they did not replace the OIL PAN but had "scraped off factory rtv and replace it with fresh rtv and reinstalled oil pan." My indicator light still does not work. I am still having leak, pool is on my garage floor and also drips. I am worried now because I am not sure AIR BAG was changed even when they said they had and have done another "multi-point vehicle inspection.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 1, 2022
When driving the car will stall. I was in a parking lot moving forward at 3mph, hit the brakes and the car stalled. After work the other night, while exiting one freeway ti enter another driving about 45mph, the car just stall and shut off. I had to put it in neutral, turn the ignition to the off position(which turns the lights off), and restart the vehicle. This is extremly dangerous.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 27, 2021
On 12/12/2021 my car stalled while driving. I started it up got to my destination, when leaving just a few minutes later it stalled again. On 12/13/2021 I was almost rear-ended when my car stalled while turning a corner on my way to work. On 12/14/2021 my car stalled two more times while driving. I have not driven it since. I had two different mechanics come and look at the car, both told me that the engine has failed. One mechanic found the engine recall on line. I contacted the dealership 3 times that week (twice via live chat and one direct phone call) each time directed to leave my information and someone would get back to me. I was finally able to speak to someone on 12/20. I explained what happened and was told that my VIN doesn't have a recall because my car was made in Mexico. I contacted a second dealership and was told the same thing.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 8, 2019
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT ON THIS ISSUE #11186351... AS INDICATED IN THAT ORIGINAL COMPLAINT I TOOK MY FORTE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT SERVICED (OIL & FILTER CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION) AND HAD THEM CHECK OUT THE ISSUE I WAS EXPERIENCING; THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING (NOT SURPRISED) HOWEVER THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF KIA SERVICE ALERT TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS 'AGAIN'... I HAVE HAD THIS 2018 FORTE EXACTLY ONE YEAR NOW AND I AM ON THE SECOND SET OF SPARK PLUGS WHICH I FIND QUITE UNUSUAL TO PUT IT POLITELY.. I HAVE OWNED MANY, MANY NEW CARS AND I'VE NEVER HAD SPARK PLUGS REPLACED AT THIS RATE SO IMO THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO DO THE WAIT AND SEE.. AS FAR AS THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM I STILL HAVE IT DRIVING ALONG AND IT FEELS LIKE I RAN OUT OF GAS WHICH IS NOT TRUE I HAVE ALMOST A FULL TANK OF GAS AND I KEEP AN ELECTRONIC FUEL LOG TO MONITOR GAS USAGE AND THE VEHICLE IS GETTING ABOUT 29 MPH AROUND TOWN ON REGULAR GAS..
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 26, 2019
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