2020 Kia Forte problems
The 2020 Kia Forte has 71 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2020 Kia Forte has 71 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 15 complaints, typically surfacing around 59,438 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Forte | 300 | 0 |
| 2018 Forte | 134 | 1 |
| 2019 Forte | 146 | 2 |
| 2020 Forte (this page) | 71 | 0 |
| 2021 Forte | 67 | 1 |
| 2022 Forte | 25 | 0 |
| 2023 Forte | 56 | 3 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above 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.
Buying a used 2020 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
- powertrain — 15 owner reports · tends to show around 59,438 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- engine — 13 owner reports · tends to show around 94,150 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- electrical — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 7,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
- airbags — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 28,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 59,438 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: 8.0/10 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 2020 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 5 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
After 2 hours of cruise control om, Collision avoidance warning lights came on for 2nd time. Brought is to dealership the first time it happened and they could nt find anything wrong,
MAKE: 2020 KIA FORTE MODEL: FORTE ODOMETER: approximately 88,000 miles VIN: [XXX] [XXX] On [XXX], while driving my Kia towards my home driveway, I noticed that the car's speed was fluctuating unpredictably. Despite having my foot slightly on the brake and off…
When backing up the steering, key, and wheel all lock. I was backing up so I was already going very slow. When pressing on the brake the car slows down but still moves very slow until it cant move anymore. I try to jiggle out the key and put the car in lock but I just jiggle…
There are significant idle issues (rpm’s shoot up & drop down irregularly while in park) and the car shut off while in park following irregular rpm movement, but was not exhibiting this behavior while previously parked elsewhere. I sent it in to be checked but nothing could be…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2020 Kia Forte reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 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 2020 Kia Forte?
On the NHTSA data, the 2020 Kia Forte does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above 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 2020 Kia Forte?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 15 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 59,438 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 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 2020 Kia Forte a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 71 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 59,438 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 2020 Kia Forte?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 15 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 59,438 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 59,438 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 2020 Kia Forte?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 71 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, 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.