This page covers 3 recalls, 298 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Kia Forte.
28–32 mpg combined
7.4–8.4 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints dominate the 2017 Forte's complaint record, with owners frequently describing stalling, misfiring, rough running, and sudden loss of power, sometimes at highway speeds and often with little or no warning light beforehand. Several owners report the engine shaking heavily before shutting off, and some describe needing repeated repairs or full engine replacements without fully resolving the stalling issue. Oil pump and camshaft-related failures come up across multiple reports, with affected owners noting the engine would lose power unexpectedly. Exterior lighting is the second most-reported area, where owners describe headlights cutting out intermittently, sometimes tied to turn signal use, occasionally alongside other electrical losses like dashboard power. A recurring thread in the lighting complaints is the problem returning despite repair attempts.
298
Total Complaints
23
Crash-Related
9
Fire-Related
14
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Kia Forte has 3 recalls, the most serious involving the 2.0L engine's oil pump, which can fail and cause the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving.
This recall only affects models equipped with the 2.0L engine. Foreign particles can lodge inside the oil pump and cause it to stop working, cutting off lubrication to the engine and leading to engine damage that can bring the car to a sudden stop in traffic. On the safety equipment side, the airbag control unit's cover can press against a memory chip on the circuit board and damage it, leaving the airbags disabled. In a crash, airbags that fail to deploy leave occupants without that layer of protection. There is also a trunk latch concern: the latch mechanism can become damaged and prevent the trunk from being opened from the inside using the internal release, which creates a risk of someone becoming trapped in the trunk compartment.
At a glance
What can fail
The Air Bag Control Unit cover may contact and damage a memory chip on the circuit board, causing the air bags to deactivate and fail to deploy in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the Air Bag Control Unit and update its software or replace the unit as needed, at no cost to you.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trunk latch can become damaged, making it impossible to open the trunk from the inside.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Foreign particles may accumulate inside the oil pump, potentially causing pump failure and engine damage.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the oil pan at no cost to address the contamination issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
