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ProblemsByVin File / 2022-KIA-FORTE NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Kia

2022 Kia Forte problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 26 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

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The 2022 Kia Forte has 26 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 5 complaints (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Kia Forte owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2019 Forte 147 2
2020 Forte 75 0
2021 Forte 67 2
2022 Forte (this page) 26 1
2023 Forte 61 3
2024 Forte 24 0
2022 Kia Forte
Photo: Damian B Oh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Kia Forte
0 5 10
Reliability score
8.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2022 Forte?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

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 4 / 5 overall

Overall 4/5
Frontal crash 4/5
Side crash 5/5
Rollover 4/5

Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2022 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 2022 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

⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged severe on this model . Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 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 the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2022 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.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2022-kia-forte/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2022 Kia Forte reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2022-kia-forte/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2022 Kia Forte reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
5 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
steering
3 reports · avg $700
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2022 Forte's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2022 Forte?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2022 Forte · steering
I've been experiencing issues with steering loosening/tighting for over 1 1/2 years.21,000 miles since I first reported the issue 5/23/24.Within a few months of reporting the steering issue,I started having issues with my car not staying in alligment after a few hundred miles.…
2022 Forte · steering
The front passenger-side lower control arm on my 2022 Kia Forte fractured completely without warning during normal driving conditions. There was no collision, curb strike, pothole impact, or accident. The fracture appears clean and brittle, not bent or deformed. The failure…
2022 Forte · airbags Crash
Air bags did not deploy in a front/side impact crash. Driver slid on ice and slush, went off the road and hit a tree. The car is currently being evaluated by the service center and insurance company. No sensors or warnings went off.
12/05/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11558478.0
2022 Forte · steering Crash
I got into an accident i On December 10th, 2023 my car was totaled out. My steering wheel felt like it was doing its own thing and I crashed straight into a curb and some rocks. I was injured and they had just fixed my steering because of the recall but I don’t know if they did…
View all 26 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2022 Kia Forte? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 22V304000 May 5, 2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles

Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.

Common questions

Is the 2022 Kia Forte reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2022 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 2022 Kia Forte?

On the NHTSA data, the 2022 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 8.2/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. 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 2022 Kia Forte?

Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 5 owner complaints filed. 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 2022 Kia Forte a good used car to buy?

It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 26 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. 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 2022 Kia Forte?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 5 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. 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 2022 Kia Forte?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 26 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, 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.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/Kia/Forte. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Kia. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
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