Compact cars · YD generation
Fair Below average
It scores 28 out of 100 for reliability compared with other compact cars. Over the next 5 years we expect it to cost about $10,867 to own, including $2,342 in repairs.
Early estimate: this rating uses our own sales estimate for the Kia Forte.
Reliability
28/100
Below average
Repairs, 5 years
$2,342
at 12,000 mi a year
Fuel, 5 years
$6,375
32 mpg, $3.40/gal
Price today
$8,297
$7,302 – $9,293, estimate
Recalls
3
on record
Owner complaints
136
filed with NHTSA
These are estimates, not guarantees. They come from public NHTSA complaint and recall data and EPA fuel economy, assuming 5 years of ownership and 12,000 miles a year. Change the assumptions or see how it works.
Expected over 5 years, by area of the car.
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.
Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
These links go to independent sites. We don't earn anything from them.
Of the years we rate, the 2022 scores best (68/100) and the 2017 worst (8/100).
| Year | Reliability |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 36/100 |
| 2023 | 26/100 |
| 2022 | 68/100 |
| 2021 | 41/100 |
| 2020 | 40/100 |
| 2019 | 14/100 |
| 2018 | 28/100 |
| 2017 | 8/100 |
| 2016 | 32/100 |
| 2015 | 12/100 |
Not especially. It scores 28 out of 100, below average for compact cars; the 2022 scored better.
It scores 28 out of 100 against other compact cars from 2015 to 2024, which is below average. Based on 136 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, we expect about $2,342 in repairs over the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year.
About $10,867 over 5 years: $2,150 in lost value, $2,342 in repairs and $6,375 in fuel at $3.40 a gallon. A typical one sells for about $8,297 today.
Of the years we rate, the 2022 scores best (68/100) and the 2017 worst (8/100).
3 recalls on record with NHTSA.