2017 Kia Forte problems
The 2017 Kia Forte has 300 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2017 Kia Forte has 300 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 110 complaints, typically surfacing around 94,362 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Forte | 438 | 2 |
| 2015 Forte | 258 | 0 |
| 2017 Forte (this page) | 300 | 0 |
| 2018 Forte | 134 | 1 |
| 2019 Forte | 146 | 2 |
| 2020 Forte | 71 | 0 |
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: 43 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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2017 Kia Forte? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 110 owner reports · tends to show around 94,362 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- electrical — 43 owner reports · tends to show around 38,225 mi · ~$850 to fix
- lighting — 29 owner reports · tends to show around 41,573 mi · ~$250 to fix
- airbags — 16 owner reports · tends to show around 26,763 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 94,362 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2017 Kia Forte
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2017 Kia Forte
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~23,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~32,850 mielectrical~$850
- ~40,000 micruise control~$600
- ~46,729 milighting~$250
- ~93,000 miengine~$3,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
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 300 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: 43 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 should I check before buying a used 2017 Kia Forte?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 110 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 94,362 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2017 Kia Forte a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 300 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 94,362 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
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 300 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.