| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Forte | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 29 MPG | 37 MPG | 32 MPG | — | $1,900 / yr |
| Forte | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 25 MPG | 34 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Forte | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 25 MPG | 33 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Forte 5 | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 25 MPG | 34 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Forte 5 | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM7) | 25 MPG | 30 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,300 / yr |
| Forte 5 | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 23 MPG | 29 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR FWD | | | | | 10.299999999999999% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Kia Forte models.
View complete 2018 Kia Forte crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2018 Kia Forte problems & component breakdown (46 categories) →
Affected Component: AIR BAGS
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
Affected Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
Defect Summary: 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."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
Affected Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.
View all 2018 Kia Forte recalls & campaign history (3 campaigns) →
