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Research · Large Cars

2018 Kia FORTE5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2018 Kia FORTE5. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (1) and engine and engine cooling (1). The EPA rates it 25–28 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
25–28mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
2
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2018 Kia FORTE5 as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2026 – Sep 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system1
  2. Engine and engine cooling1

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 FORTE5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20175
20182
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

1 report
“There is an issue with the fuel pump where it would stall or shut off while driving or at a stoplight”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11761532

Engine and engine cooling

1 report
“The contact's son owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, with the oil pressure warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle was turned off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but there was white smoke coming from the engine. The contact raised the hood and inspected the engine, and the smoke had ceased. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized due to a lack of engine oil, even though the engine oil had been changed in June. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V260000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 100,300.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11761101
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Automatic (AM7) · 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 Nov 8, 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 5
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253428$2,200317
Forte 5
Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253027$2,300332
Forte 5
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
232925$2,500353
  • Forte 5
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    25 city · 34 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Forte 5
    Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    25 city · 30 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Forte 5
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    23 city · 29 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Kia FORTE5 as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 12658
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

2018 FORTE5 questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Kia FORTE5 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 8, 2026.

What are the most common 2018 Kia FORTE5 problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (1), engine and engine cooling (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Kia FORTE5 get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Kia FORTE5 at 25–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026