2020 Kia Forte Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2020 Kia Forte. Part of Generation 3 — 2019–present.

20192021
Complaints
88
per 10K Sold
10.3
US Sales
84,997
Crashes
12
Fires
2
Injuries
6
Fatalities
Recalls
0

Worst 2020 Kia Forte Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#113 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:12,584 mi
Crash-related:1
#211 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:52,467 mi
Fires:1
#310 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:14,167 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2020 Kia Forte.

Transmission / Drivetrain
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
12,584
Engine Problems
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
52,467
Electrical Faults
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
14,167
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Assist
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Immobilizer/Proximity:Key/Sender
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Bulbs
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward-Collision Avoidance Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Kia Forte. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Other Kia Forte Years

2020 Kia Forte — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2020 Kia Forte reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2020 Kia Forte has 88 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 13 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2020 Kia Forte?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (13 complaints, avg 12,584 mi); Engine Problems (11 complaints, avg 52,467 mi); Electrical Faults (10 complaints, avg 14,167 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2020 Kia Forte?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 25,953 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2020 Kia Forte?
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Kia Forte include 12 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2020 Kia Forte have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2020 Kia Forte as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2020 Kia Forte?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Kia Forte reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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