2020 Kia Forte Problems And Complaints

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Rating6.6

Ranked #6 in 

Compact Sedan
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$17,890 - $23,090
Starting Price 

Users Opinions on 2020 Kia Forte

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Disliked by Users

  • J

    Jeff

    25/08/2021

    Rating:

    (1 Out Of 5 stars)

    Grinding noise coming from steering wheel and erratic behavior from the transmission in less than 8,000 miles. I hate myself for buying this car. No matter what the official reviews say, these cars are NOT well made!Read More

    Source: edmunds

2020 Kia Forte Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and Which Year to Avoid

0

Recalls

0

Investigations

58

Complaints
Overall Safety Rating
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on May 21, 2022

The Kia Forte is the most sought-after compact sports sedan available in the market. It is affordable, richly equipped, and garners attention with its comfortable ride quality and high frugality. Yet, there is much more on offer by the vehicle than what meets the eye. The 2020 Forte’s oneness lies in its dependability. While it has always remained structurally sound and resilient, the sedan’s comprehensive warranty package adds to its reliability. It has only 17 complaints registered to its name and is devoid of any recalls. The 2020 Forte MSRP starts at $17,890 and falls in a similar ballpark as the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla, and the Hyundai Elantra. But how does it fare against its rivals, let’s find out?

2020 Kia Forte User Complaints and Problems

Safety Complaints

  • Non-deployment of airbags: Amongst the list of the Kia Forte common problems, the improper functioning of the airbag system is a known and recurring concern. Buyers of the sedan have reported the non-deployment of the airbags in case of a crash. While there have been no injuries reported, even the 2019 Kia Forte was riddled with a similar problem.
  • Failure of theft system: More than a couple of buyers of the 2020 Kia Forte have reported the anti-theft alarm system to not perform its intended function. Even when it is in use, the system has failed to trigger an alarm, which has led to the vehicle being stolen.

Mechanical Complaints

  • Issues with the transmission unit: The 2020 Kia Forte transmission problems are not rampant, yet they have been reported by a handful of buyers. The most common issue relates to the slippage of the gears, which affects the overall performance of the vehicle. In one other case, the buyer of the sedan also reported the vehicle shifting to the reverse gear, without any input from the driver.
  • Failure of service brakes: In three distinct cases, buyers of the 2020 Kia Forte have reported the brakes to not perform their intended functions. Despite the brake pedal being depressed, the vehicle fails to come to a halt. While there have been no incidents recorded yet, this problem can increase the risk of a crash.
  • Problems with the steering system: In a couple of cases, complainants have also reported issues with the steering system of the vehicle. Both times, the stiff movement of the steering wheel has restricted the vehicle’s range of motion. While no crash has been reported, the issue should be tended to at the earliest by Kia.

2020 Kia Forte Recalls

There are not recalls for the 2020 Kia Forte yet.

Should you buy the 2020 Kia Forte?

The 2020 Kia Forte is a buyer’s delight and promises to be a jack of all trades. While it carries forward the likable performance it is revered for, the latest iteration of the sedan is more reliable. Compared to the 2019 MY, the 2020 Kia Forte issues have reduced significantly. Even the widespread impact of the problems has been eliminated, which has resulted in a hassle-free ownership experience. So, if you are in the market to buy a compact sedan, the Korean option could be a top-notch choice.

  • Complaints
  • Recalls
  • Investigations
  • Manufacturer Communications

September 28, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11690225

Components: 980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NHTSA ID Number:
11690225

Incident Date:
September 28, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
3KPF34AD1LE

Consumer Location:
CAYEY, PR

Summary
Trunk open alone. Also trunk open when driver door open.

September 18, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11688057

Components: 980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NHTSA ID Number:
11688057

Incident Date:
September 18, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
3KPF34AD1LE

Consumer Location:
STOCKTON, CA

Summary
Equipment premature failure. Dashboard screen bubbling and separation. Beyond 36 months warranty but earl...

September 12, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11687003

Components: 060000 ENGINE (PWS)

NHTSA ID Number:
11687003

Incident Date:
September 12, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
3KPF24AD8LE

Consumer Location:
RICH HILL, MO

Summary
The lane assist malfunction and periodically jerks. Very unsafe I no longer use this feature . To keep co...

August 21, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11682254

Components: 060000 ENGINE (PWS)

NHTSA ID Number:
11682254

Incident Date:
August 21, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
3KPF24AD6LE

Consumer Location:
HAYDEN, AL

Summary
I own a 2020 Kia Forte LXS with approximately 136,000 miles. The check engine light came on with code P04...

August 10, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11679654

Components: 980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NHTSA ID Number:
11679654

Incident Date:
August 10, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
3KPF24AD3LE

Consumer Location:
LANDISVILLE, PA

Summary
Kia is lying to a judge in Lancaster county PA and federal court by stating I did not opt out of class ac...

90/100Best

Quality & Reliability

Assesses the extent of issues, glitches, and design imperfections encountered by...

84/100Best

Driving Experience

Owners' assessments regarding the vehicle's design, performance, comfort, functi...

78/100Best

Resale

CARHP's projection of depreciation, which estimates the probable decrease in the...

71/100Best

Dealership Experience

Owners' interactions with dealerships associated with this brand, encompassing b...

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