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Research · Midsize Cars

2015 Kia ForteRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 261 owner complaints for the 2015 Kia Forte. Most complaints involve engine (159) and electrical system (29). The EPA rates it 24–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
24–30mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Dec 2020
Owner complaints
261
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine

Free remedy

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

EngineReported Dec 2, 2020NHTSA 20V750000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

261 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2014 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine159
  2. Electrical system29
  3. Air bags23
  4. Power train17
  5. Service brakes15
  6. Exterior lighting13
  7. Fuel/propulsion system10
  8. Vehicle speed control5
  9. Engine and engine cooling4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Forte model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2010232
2011162
2012292
2013195
2014444
2015261
20164
2017305
2018136
2019150
202078
202169
202228
202366
202426
Crashes reported
16
Fires reported
20
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

159 reports2 crashes16 fires
“On October the 14th, around 10:30 AM I noticed smoke coming from my car and acceleration was lost. The vehicle continued to smoke further. As I Had someone maneuver the car out of traffic into the parking lot.\n While reaching the parking lot, more smoke was noticed, so I dispatch the Riverside fire department. After one of the fire responders checked under the hood, they noticed that there was oil in various places, including the engine area and in the PAN underneath, they checked the oil and found oil still inside. Unit. The fire man check , both told me to not drive the car any further because if I did it would catch on fire , I then had the car towed to my home address.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026EngineODI 11773589

Electrical system

29 reports2 fires
“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that an anti-theft protection software update was performed in 2024. After the update was performed, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly turned off without warning. The transmission was shifted into neutral(N) and restarted to continue driving. The vehicle was reset and self-corrected after being restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Fred Anderson Toyota of Raleigh (9101 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617); and the dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2026Electrical systemODI 11747107

Air bags

23 reports10 crashes
“AIRBAG WARNING IS ON, BUTTONS/CONTROL OF THE WHEEL DONT WORK, CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. MOTOR SHAKES A LOT. WE GOT THIS CAR 2-3 WEEKS AGO LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHEN WE GOT IT FROM THE DEALER. IM NOT AN EXPERT BUT I THINK THAT SOMETHING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY... IM DO APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2023Air bags, Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11527179
All 2015 Forte problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars, Large Cars
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Forte
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263730$2,150294
Forte
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253629$2,200310
Forte
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253629$2,200303
Forte 5
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253328$2,300317
Forte 5
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,700370
Forte 5
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
212824$2,700368
  • Forte
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    26 city · 37 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Forte
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    25 city · 36 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Forte
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    25 city · 36 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Forte 5
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    25 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Forte 5
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Forte 5
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Kia Forte 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.3%
Overall
— / 5
Kia Forte 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
Not rated
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 9019Vehicle 9018
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Forte questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Kia Forte have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Kia Forte problems?

Owners filed 261 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (159), electrical system (29), air bags (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Kia Forte get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Kia Forte at 24–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Kia Forte?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Kia Forte 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026