Kia Forte problems
299 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
- Engine: 110 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 75,000–113,922 mi
- Electrical system: 42 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 10,000–40,577 mi
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
While sitting idle for over 45 minutes the car started to vibrate. When I began to drive it shook and did not pick up as it should when driving. When stopped at a traffic light it vibrates worse. I called the dealership to schefule an appointment for january 4,2019 but received…
My car is constantly stalling and I have nearly gotten into several accidents because it would stall at red lights, or while driving, turning it stalls. In order to keep it from stalling have to keep putting it into neutral. I can't get a proper scan on it because the engine…
The low beam headlights HID have gone in and out while diving at night..then they have now blown out twice.at $100 dollars a piece..this is unacceptable..!! There seems to be a shot circuit in the light switch itself..it has blinked off when using the turn signal as well which…
I was parking my car yesterday at 7/11 and the car accelerated on it's own and crashed into a cement pillar. The airbag did not deploy. I have seen a blog where dozens of forte owners complained about the same issue, sometimes more than once. I was injured and the car needs…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Kia Forte reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 299 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Kia Forte is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2017 Kia Forte?
The 2017 Kia Forte is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Engine: 110 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 75,000–113,922 mi; Electrical system: 42 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 10,000–40,577 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Kia Forte?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 110 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 94,362 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 26,763 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Kia Forte has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Kia Forte?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 299 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.