NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 305 owner complaints for the 2017 Kia Forte. Most complaints involve engine (145) and electrical system (47). The EPA rates it 26–32 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
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.
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."
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Forte model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 232 |
| 2011 | 162 |
| 2012 | 292 |
| 2013 | 195 |
| 2014 | 444 |
| 2015 | 261 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 305 |
| 2018 | 136 |
| 2019 | 150 |
| 2020 | 78 |
| 2021 | 69 |
| 2022 | 28 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2024 | 26 |
“There was a rod failure in the engine. The vehicle is currently at the repair facility. This rod failure caused the vehicle to die while traveling down the road, so it was a safety risk. The rod failure was diagnosed by a certified mechanic. There were no warning lamps, messages, etc. This failure is the same issue that many Kia Forte's of the same year have been diagnosed with, and a recall was issued. This vehicle is not covered under the recall, but should be. The engine recall should be extended to all 2017 Kia Forte models.”
“I was driving this car and received a check engine light and lulled over to find an electrical fire had occurred under the hood. I was able to use a fire extinguisher to put out this fire. The car was towed to a Kia dealership near my home for confirmation and an estimate of the damages. It apparently was caused by a problem that Kia has had with the ABS/hydraulic electronic control units that can trigger electrical shorts.”
“I own a 2017 Kia Forte that has a recurring problem with water intrusion in the rear tail light assemblies. This issue was previously repaired around 2018 under Kia’s service action related to moisture and water entering the rear combination lamps, but the problem has returned. Moisture and water are again getting inside the tail light housing, which can lead to corrosion, bulb or LED failure, and electrical problems. I am concerned that this could cause the brake light or turn signal to fail unexpectedly. If one of these lights goes out without warning, other drivers may not be able to tell when I am stopping or turning, which could increase the risk of a rear-end or side-impact crash. Since this issue was repaired before and has now returned, I am concerned that the original repair did not permanently correct the defect and that the problem may be related to an ongoing sealing or manufacturing issue.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 38 | 32 | $2,000 | 301 |
| Forte Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,300 | 318 |
| Forte Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,300 | 314 |
| Forte Koup Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,300 | 320 |
| Forte Koup Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 32 | 27 | $2,400 | 328 |
| Forte Koup Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,450 | 348 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls 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.
Owners filed 305 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (145), electrical system (47), exterior lighting (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2017 Kia Forte at 26–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Kia Forte 5 out of 5 stars overall.