2020 Kia Forte Recalls, Complaints & Specs
No safety recalls list the 2020 Kia Forte, and owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
No safety recalls on record
NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 2020 Kia Forte. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.
77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2020 Kia Forte have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA; 9 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 6 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 43,609 miles. Complaints peaked in 2026 with 18 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“My engine is failing due to excessive oil consumption despite having proof of regular oil changes and maintenance. My car has been inspected, and the dealer has stated this is due to a known manufactu”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 6, 2026 · Engine
“The engine has failed in this vehicle just like it has in other 2.0L kia vehicles 2020-2026. The piston rings have failed and the pistons have all pitted or developed holes in them just like in the re”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 21, 2026 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2020 Kia Forte (Forte FE). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 28–35 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 25–31 / 32–41 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.6/2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AM7); Automatic (variable gear ratios); Manual 6-spd |
Compare Kia Forte model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Forte model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Kia Forte | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 Kia Forte | 3 | 221 |
| 2011 Kia Forte | 3 | 153 |
| 2012 Kia Forte | 4 | 292 |
| 2013 Kia Forte | 5 | 195 |
| 2014 Kia Forte | 3 | 444 |
| 2015 Kia Forte | 1 | 260 |
| 2016 Kia Forte | 1 | 136 |
| 2017 Kia Forte | 3 | 305 |
| 2018 Kia Forte | 3 | 136 |
| 2019 Kia Forte | 2 | 147 |
| 2020 Kia Forte | 0 | 77 |
| 2021 Kia Forte | 2 | 69 |
| 2022 Kia Forte | 1 | 28 |
| 2023 Kia Forte | 3 | 63 |
| 2024 Kia Forte | 0 | 26 |
Checking a specific 2020 Kia Forte
How do I know if my 2020 Kia Forte has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kia dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number.
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Kia models
- Sorento10,183 complaints
- Optima7,512 complaints
- Soul5,553 complaints
- Sportage4,699 complaints
- Sedona2,410 complaints
- Telluride2,026 complaints
- Sephia1,705 complaints
- Rio1,291 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.