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moderate Owners of the 2018 Kia Forte have filed 42 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 68,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Forte | 157 |
| 2015 Forte | 131 |
| 2017 Forte | 110 |
| 2018 Forte (this page) | 42 |
| 2019 Forte | 24 |
| 2020 Forte | 13 |
| 2021 Forte | 15 |
| 2022 Forte | 5 |
Of the 42 engine complaints filed for the 2018 Kia Forte, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Engine accounts for 31% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 9 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the table on pages 9 and 10 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the tables on pages 8-9 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2106Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published (PI2106) titled “Nu 2.0L GDI - Knock Sensor Detection System ECU Logic Improvement”. Specifically, this bulletin provides instructions on which procedures to follow if, after installation of the KSDS, any one of the subject vehicles below return to the dealer with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1326 (Kno
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2106) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2018 MY Kia Forte vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit ("ECU").
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.This bulletin provides information on setting the "Service Interval Reminder" feature available on most 2014-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 2). If the service interval reminder is set, the customer will be informed to have the next maintenance service performed, which can positively affect vehicle longevity and performance. Refer to TSB ENG241 for 2023MY~ vehicles equipped with the Oil Life Management System (OLMS) feature not included in table on page 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Forty-two complaints describe a 2018 Kia Forte engine that either shuts down suddenly while driving or seizes without warning—sometimes with no check engine light beforehand. Owners report stalling at highway speeds during merges, at traffic lights, and on freeways with 2–3 occurrences per day in some cases. Once stalled, the engine either restarts easily or fails to restart at all, requiring towing.
Most failures occur before 100,000 miles. Owners describe loud knocking or grinding noises in the days or weeks preceding complete failure. Several report discovering zero oil in the engine or metal shavings in the pan at diagnosis, yet the low-oil warning light never illuminated. One owner found a defective oil pan with a puncture one week after service.
Dealership diagnostics frequently fail to identify the problem; mechanics cite timing chain failure, crankshaft sensor issues, or sludged oil. Engine replacement costs exceed $9,000. Owners report Kia denying warranty claims citing missing maintenance records, second-owner status, or maintenance performed outside dealership, despite providing receipts. Recall NHTSA Campaign 21V260000 exists but many owner VINs reportedly not covered, and recall parts remain on back order for months. Several owners emphasize the safety risk—vehicle losing power mid-merge or in bumper-to-bumper traffic with no prior warning.
Same Kia Forte engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2017 · 2019 · 2021
Engine seizes or fails entirely without prior warning, often at highway speeds or during low-speed driving. Vehicle loses all power and will not restart. Multiple owners report zero warning lights before failure.
When: Ranging from 34,000 to 163,000 miles; majority occur before 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of motive power; Engine will not restart; Loud knocking or grinding noise preceding failure; No warning lights illuminated before failure; Steering and brakes lock up in some cases
Codes mentioned: P0017 (crankshaft position error), Timing chain failure confirmed by mechanics, Metal shavings found in oil pan
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required; costs cited as $9,000+ for replacement; some owners at dealerships waiting 4+ months for engines on back order
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia has recalled some model years (NHTSA Campaign 21V260000 for Engine and Engine Cooling), but many owner VINs reportedly not covered by recall; warranty claims denied due to maintenance record disputes; recall parts reported unavailable for extended periods
Engine shuts off without warning while vehicle is in motion, including at highway speeds during acceleration, merging, or normal driving. Vehicle must be restarted to continue. No warning lights in many cases before stall occurs.
When: Various mileages from 51,000 to 150,000 miles; some stalling occurs repeatedly (2–3 times per day)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off abruptly while driving; No warning light prior to stall; Check engine light may illuminate during or after stall; Oil pressure light and battery light may illuminate; Vehicle restarts normally after stall; Stalling often triggered by low-speed driving, braking, or highway conditions
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (code not always retrieved), Oil pressure warning light, Battery warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers and independent mechanics unable to locate defect in many cases; problem persists after repair attempts at Kia and third-party shops; one owner reports crankshaft sensor replacement did not resolve issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple owners report dealers cannot locate issue despite multiple visits; Kia dealerships deny assistance after repeated visits; some recalls exist (SC210 mentioned by owners) but many VINs reportedly not covered
Engine burns oil rapidly without visible leak, or oil drains unexpectedly. Low oil leads to metal shavings in pan, timing chain failure, or catastrophic engine damage. No low-oil warning light illuminates in most cases before damage occurs.
When: Discovered between oil changes (6–7 days after service in one case); damage evident between 34,000 and 106,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid oil consumption between services; No visible external oil leak; No low-oil warning light before damage; Metal shavings found in oil pan; Engine knocking or rough running after damage begins; Check engine light illuminates after damage is done; Engine seizure or violent shuddering on restart
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (timing-chain related), Crankshaft position sensor codes in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain replacement or full engine replacement required; oil pan replacement also needed in at least one case (puncture found on pan); owners cite $9,000+ replacement costs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia dealership denied coverage citing lack of full maintenance records; one case attributed to 'sludge due to lack of oil changes' despite owner's maintenance; manufacturers and dealers disputing warranty coverage based on maintenance documentation
Engine develops loud knocking, grinding, or puttering noise; rough idle and shaking at stop lights or during low-speed driving. These precursor symptoms may last days to weeks before complete failure. Check engine light often comes on only after problem has progressed.
When: Typically 3 weeks to days before complete failure; mileage ranges 51,000 to 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking or grinding noise from engine; Rough idle at stops and red lights; Vehicle shakes while idling or at low speeds; Puttering noise before failure; Engine vibration on highway; Check engine light illuminates 3+ weeks after shaking begins
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (code varies by case), Misfire detected in cylinder #2 in one case, Fuel error ratio fault in one case
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose in multiple cases; spark plugs replaced twice in first year on one vehicle (noted as unusual); issue persists after repair attempts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia service alert issued to replace spark plugs on at least one vehicle; dealers report inability to locate root cause; no recalls issued for most vehicles despite similar symptoms
Oil pan develops puncture or manufacturing defect, causing oil leaks shortly after new oil pan or following routine service.
When: One week after oil change
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from vehicle after recent service; Puncture hole visible on top of oil pan
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pan replacement cost approximately $150–300 (parts from AutoZone/Advanced Auto Parts); mechanic identified as manufacturing defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall SC210 exists for some models but coverage unclear; owner sought reimbursement; no manufacturer response documented in narrative
Owners notified of recall (NHTSA Campaign 21V260000) but required parts remain unavailable for extended periods, leaving vehicle unrepaired and in use.
When: At time of recall notification
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle operates normally but recall parts unavailable
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repair cannot be completed; owners unable to have defect addressed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 21V260000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) issued; parts on back order for extended period; manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for parts availability per owners
Synthesized from 42 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
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…
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…
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.
My vehicle is using alot of oil and will not start the warning comes up is concerning the oil pump.
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…
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…
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 42 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 51,000 and 104,000 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 51,000; a quarter make it past 104,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.