In-car Electronics
Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.
What Owners Say
"Right side speakers stopped working"
Anonymous, FL (2017 Kia Forte SX 2.0-L 4 Cyl)Kia Forte
EPA MPG:
32 mpg
EPA MPG:
32 mpg
RECALL ALERT:
There are 3 recalls on this vehicle.
Learn More.
Reliability
Overall Reliability
The 2017 Forte is less reliable than other cars from the same model year.
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
Common Trouble Spot
Owner Reported Trouble Spots
The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2017 Kia Forte owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.
Engine Major
Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.
What Owners Say
"The engine failure was apparently common. They replaced the engine for free and paid for a rental car while they did the work."
Anonymous, KS (2017 Kia Forte EX Unsure)""Bought the car with 77k miles. Trouble started around 90k miles. Evidently Kia knew about these issues and offered a software fix. Did that. But that did not mean it would fix it. The dealer said if the loss of compression and oil loss kept happening, they may replace the engine. Needed oil consumption test. Did that. They needed other tests that cost too much so we did not pursue. The car is driving fine for the most part. It is intermittent where it loses compression. It happened twice in the three years we had the car.""
Anonymous, NH (2017 Kia Forte EX 2.0-L 4 Cyl)Exhaust
Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.
What Owners Say
"Interior cabin roof leak above driver side A-pillar"
Anonymous A., OH (2017 Kia Forte SX 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)"Drivers side A-pillar leaks water when it rains. Roof gasket has been replaced. Dealer has made several attempts to fix but problems persist."
Anonymous A., OH (2017 Kia Forte SX 1.6-L 4 Cyl turbo)Body Hardware
Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.
What Owners Say
"The trunk latch broke loose from the unibody frame about 4 years ago. The welds cracked on the nuts. Kia fixed it under warrantee. It's happening again. the trunk is not shutting properly."
Anonymous, CA (2017 Kia Forte Unsure Unsure)Climate System
AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.
What Owners Say
"AC stopped producing cold air. I took it to the closet KIA dealer to my home - 550 mile round trip. Paid $500+ to repair/recharge AC leak only to lose ALL cold air on my drive home. I took my KIA to the local Hyundai dealership and they made the necessary repairs."
Anonymous A., OK (2017 Kia Forte LX 2.0-L 4 Cyl)Fuel System/Emissions
Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.
What Owners Say
"The Check Engine has come on a couple of times over the past 12 months with an error code relating to the sensors. The first time it happened, our son-in-law recommended changing the gas cap, and that seemed to clear the alert. When it happened the second time (several months later) the problem went away on its own, as far as I can remember."
Anonymous, TX (2017 Kia Forte LX 2.0-L 4 Cyl)Electrical Accessories
Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.
What Owners Say
"Had to replace rear left taillight 3x"
Anonymous, FL (2017 Kia Forte SX 2.0-L 4 Cyl)Noises/Leaks
Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.
Paint/Trim
Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.
Engine Cooling
Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.
Engine Minor
Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.
Transmission Minor
Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.
Transmission Major
Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.
Engine Electrical
Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.
Suspension/Steering
Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.
Drive System
Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.
Brakes
Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.
2017 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability
This Car
0
100
Kia Forte
vs. Similar Cars
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Ford C-MAX
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Hyundai Elantra
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Mazda 3
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Toyota Corolla
Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius C
Toyota Prius Prime
Toyota Prius V
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Kia vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability
Overall Reliability Verdict
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting
how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability
information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for
about 380,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give
you a rundown on how 2000 through 2025 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential
trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes,
to power equipment and the electrical accessories.
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
AIR BAGS
Jan 25, 2022
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Summary:
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
What should you do:
Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
22V031000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
410619
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Aug 09, 2021
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Summary:
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
What should you do:
Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
21V622000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
253074
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Apr 13, 2021
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Summary:
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
What should you do:
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
21V260000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
4069
Check Vehicle for Unrepaired Recalls
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"Even if the phone is plugged in, Apple Car Play screen goes black and we have to turn the car off and back on."
Anonymous A., WV (2017 Kia Forte EX 2.0-L 4 Cyl)