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ProblemsByVin Index / 2018-KIA-FORTE / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2018 Kia Forte owner complaints

134 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 6 complaints shown

42 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/27/2021 ODI #11445151.0

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 c

12/11/2025 ODI #11704388.0

While driving on U.S. 69 highway in Overland Park, Kansas, the engine in my 2018 Kia Forte suddenly failed without warning. I was entering the northbound lanes from the 95th Street on-ramp and was accelerating to merge at about 50 mph. There had been no prior warning lights or messages. Just after getting into the right lane to merge with traffic, the engine lost power and the car began slowing down quickly. I had vehicles behind me that were still moving at highway speed. I had to react immediately, and fortunately the driver behind me was able to brake. I turned on my signal and coasted as best I could to the shoulder of the highway. Only after the failure did the check engine light come on. The engine never restarted and the vehicle had to be towed. This incident created a serious saf

12/04/2020 53,000 mi ODI #11377876.0

53,000 no warning was driving along a highway car started to knock. Then all of the sudden car shuts off and I pull over. Come to find out engine through a rod in the block and was not cover under warranty because they said I didn't have enough proof oil was never change even though I gave them all my receipts.

11/21/2025 ODI #11700717.0

My vehicle is using alot of oil and will not start the warning comes up is concerning the oil pump.

11/21/2024 163,000 mi ODI #11626721.0

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the engine was running unusually rough. The oil warning light was illuminated. In addition, the engine seized. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer two days prior to the failure and the dealer confirmed there were metal shavings in the oil pan. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.

11/06/2022 ODI #11492461.0

My kia broke down on the highway ,I believe the engine is blown ,No warning lights came on until the exact incident occurred. I wasn't able to get power from the accelerator and managed to pull to the side of the highway .My car had started a knocking noise a day and a half b4 the incident, I've seen online that my car model and year has had issues with engine failure ,So far kia has ignored my calls ,I was in touch on the day b4 incident

other 4 complaints shown

12/22/2022 ODI #11498520.0

This complaint is NOT against any incident on this vehicle per say but concerning Kia customer care. I am a potential buyer of this vehicle from Autonation 104 here in Denver, CO. And, I contacted Kia to provide me with the vehicle recall information so that I can be better educated to make a decision on whether or not I should buy a vehicle with an open recall status. However, Kia customer care 1 (800) 333-4542 flagrantly denied disclosing any information pertaining the recall status. Now, I am aware that recall information is also available on NHTSA and other free forums, however, my desire with the above call was to understand more about the recall that may or may not be already available publicly. For instance, whether or not this is a stop-sale recall, their advisory on an open reca

12/14/2024 ODI #11630720.0

When the key is in the ignition and the car is running to warm up and I've forgotten something in my home and need to retrieve my item the car has automatically locks all of the doors with the car still running, I only was given one (1) key, so I have to eithe remember to roll down a window or leave a door standing open so I can get back in the car. To me it's a safety issue. What if I had a child in a car seat and this happened

11/19/2020 30,186 mi ODI #11375333.0

Gas cap cover does not effectively open when I pull the lever inside unless I first push in the cover. Car is stationary.

11/15/2022 ODI #11493667.0

The 2018 Kia Forte LX that my daughter is the primary driver of (but I am on the loan) engine light has been on for several weeks and it has also had trouble starting, resulting in several days of missed work. We have taken it to two mechanics, whose partial diagnosis was that it needed a new timing chain kit which we had done on November 1, 2022 along with new spark plugs. However the engine light continues to stay on, with a loud idle and trouble starting. We took it back to the mechanic and after checking everything he could think of, he advised us that there is definitely an oil pressure issue and that we should take it to the Kia dealership and ask about a silent recall on the engine/oil pump. The issues we are having with the vehicle exactly match NHTSA Recall No. 21V-260; Manufactur

electrical 3 complaints shown

14 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/31/2024 ODI #11633467.0

My radio speakers will sound like there are blown. At a certain speed, I will break and the seat will move in the passenger side and sometimes in the driver side by itself.

12/01/2022 108,998 mi ODI #11495674.0

I initially submitted a complaint on Nov 6 with my 2018 kia about engine failure /possibly, my car was towed to Darcars kia Urbana pike in frederick md, I had just made an appointment with them b4 my car broke down to get the trunk & air bag recalls taken care of 11/09 my car sat there until yesterday, they never took care of the recalls? REGARDLESS my engine /break down shouldn't they have fixed those issues? And I was told they would run diagnostic test on my car to figure out what happened, I never received anything other than them wanting me to pay 7,000 to fix my car ,or they would give me 500.if I wanted to sell they told my insurance agent I had engine failure from normal wear and tear? I didn't know they only expect their kias to run 100,000k also got a bill with absolutely no expl

11/05/2024 120,000 mi ODI #11623630.0

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the positive(+) battery terminal was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

airbags 2 complaints shown

14 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
11/21/2018 7,996 mi Crash ODI #11153084.0

Takata recall. I was involved in an accident and crash head on into another car. The vehicle was totaled but the airbags never deployed.

11/18/2024 ODI #11626069.0

The switch needed to be replaced by kia in prescott valley because it was a recall, they replaced my switch, and a few weeks later now my airbag light is on and they no longer work, and they won't take care of it, the lady proceeded to tell me they didn't replace the switch when I have the proof that they did indeed do it, and now my airbags no longer work, if I get into an accident because they messed it up and my airbags no longer work I will have a lawsuit against them for not wanting to take care of a recall they couldn't do right in the first place.

powertrain 1 complaint shown

8 total in this category · severe · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/15/2019 ODI #11289115.0

Ive had my car since 38 miles. This is my second year owning it. It has been well kept and it started having problems about a month ago that has gotten worse. It shakes really bad at 30mph and stays in 6th gear. It also has major problems picking up speed and shifting in general. Sometimes it just stalls and dont go. When switching lanes on the interstate it slows way down and doesn't shift. It doesn't matter my speed. From 10-50mph and up it skips gears and stalls.

visibility 1 complaint shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $350 · see visibility cluster analysis →
12/06/2021 ODI #11442762.0

I live in Chicago it was approximately 35 degrees and raining out today, so I had my defrost on. I was in the line at a fast-food restaurant and I heard a crack noise. I looked at my windshield and there was a straight, horizontal line crack approximately 8-10 inches long. When I got out to look to see if something had hit my window, I saw that there were no impact chips and it is a crack that just begins at the very edge of the windshield going into the center. I took pictures but I have not done anything to stop the crack from spreading because I do not want to void my warranty or anything just in case. Kia already has this same issue happening with the 2020 Kia Tulleride.

lighting 1 complaint shown

6 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $250 · see lighting cluster analysis →
11/14/2024 ODI #11625127.0

The left rear blinker light has gone out 4 times in the last 2 years. The most recent replacement for the passenger rear blinker stopped working within 12 hours of replacement. No other lights have needed replacing until the last replacment blinker light had gone out and i became aware that both passenger running tail lights were out, my license plate light on the passenger side is out the white bottom light that's blinks when I lock the car with the key remote is out as well. When looking into what would cause this to happen I came a cross information that is an on going issue that keeps occurring in the same cars with the same make model and year that a recall should or is expected to be done. I have not paid for bulbs to be replaced it's a task car owners can perform now that all lights

brakes 1 complaint shown

11/04/2025 ODI #11697327.0

Right break light fills up with water. Consistently changing break light bulbs due to moisture in the break light.

body 1 complaint shown

11/03/2023 ODI #11553492.0

I have 4 recall notices on this vehicle, my trunk latch stopped working 3 days ago, after a trip to the grocery store. now the trunk will not close had to strap it down with bungee cords to the under carriage . The 2 Kia Dealers in my area of Riverside County California have said to me they’re not touching recall work, there’s that excuse, I’ve requested 4 appointments online with both dealers and I’ve never gotten a call-back! They suggest scheduling appointments online because no one answers the phones. If they do answer a ringing phone they simply transfer me to another phone that nobody answers. Frustrating. No voicemail?! I’m getting no support from Kia! It’s illegal in California to drive with your trunk strapped down, it’s also a huge safety issue! Having to strap the trunk down is

Showing 300 of 134 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Kia/Forte#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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