Research · Midsize Cars

2020 Kia ForteRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 78 owner complaints for the 2020 Kia Forte. Most complaints involve engine (20) and power train (16). The EPA rates it 28–35 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
28–35mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
78
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2020 Kia Forte as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

78 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine20
  2. Power train16
  3. Electrical system11
  4. Forward collision avoidance6
  5. Air bags5
  6. Vehicle speed control4
  7. Engine and engine cooling3
  8. Steering3
  9. Fuel/propulsion system3

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
9
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

20 reports1 fire
“During a day trip on 9/19/26 my 2020 Kia Forte (purchased new and well maintained) lost power and several of the dash board lights came on including check engine, traction/stability control, and collision alerts. The car entered what I was told is "limp mode". I had the car towed home and after one shop misdiagnosed the problem I had it towed to the Kia dealership where purchased. I was told the engine had code p0017. I was sent a document that the "phaser sheared off p0017 exhaust cam and cvvd gear timing off-recommend long block-cvvd replacement may still have engine damaged after replacement" with a price of $9053.39 attached. Kia service manager is supposed to be seeing about assistance for repair as it is cost prohibitive and I have proof of proper maintenance however I am not receiving info on process unless I reach out. Car has been in Kia possession since 9/24/26.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2026Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11769976

Power train

16 reports1 crash
“I experienced a check engine light and had the vehicle diagnosed with codes P0017 and P0014. The vehicle was taken to a Kia dealership, where the technician found that the exhaust camshaft was free-spinning without the phaser and that the pin connecting the two had sheared. The dealership replaced the exhaust camshaft and phaser and released the vehicle as repaired and operating normally. Less than 24 hours after pickup, the check engine light returned during normal driving. While returning the vehicle to the dealership as instructed, the engine lost oil pressure and stalled three times. One stall occurred after exiting the highway and left the vehicle disabled in a high-traffic intersection, creating a serious safety hazard. The vehicle was returned to the Kia dealership and remains available for inspection. Subsequent examination reportedly found metal debris in the engine/oil pan and a possible restriction of engine oil flow. The exact cause of the sudden oil-pressure loss has not yet been definitively explained. The failure occurred immediately following a dealership repair involving a physically sheared internal engine component.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11758381

Electrical system

11 reports
“The crankshaft position sensor keeps going bad and it make the forward collision trigger and it loses power and the dash stops working and causes the car to shut off”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 13, 2025Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11699296
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (AM7)
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 Nov 11, 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 FE
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
314135$1,800256
Forte
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
294033$1,900269
Forte
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273731$2,000290
Forte
Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
273530$2,100296
Forte
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253228$2,200326
  • Forte FE
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    31 city · 41 hwy · $1,800/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
  • Forte
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    29 city · 40 hwy · $1,900/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Forte
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 37 hwy · $2,000/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Forte
    Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Forte
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    25 city · 32 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 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
10.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 14125
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

2020 Forte questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Forte have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.

What are the most common 2020 Kia Forte problems?

Owners filed 78 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (20), power train (16), electrical system (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Kia Forte get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Kia Forte at 28–35 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Kia Forte?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Kia Forte 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026