Air Bags
NHTSA campaign 22V031000 · 2022 · reported 01/25/2022
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2018 Kia Forte Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine — runs 3.4× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
134Complaints
3Recalls
13Crashes
3Fires
9Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine (42.5% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Engine complaints here are 3.4× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 57 · 42.5% | Recalled | Recall 21V260000 |
| Air Bags | 16 · 11.9% | Recalled | Recall 22V031000 |
| Electrical System | 14 · 10.4% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 · 6.7% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 8 · 6% | No official action | — |
| Structure:body | 7 · 5.2% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 134 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 3 campaigns
Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:latch
NHTSA campaign 21V622000 · 2021 · reported 08/09/2021
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump
NHTSA campaign 21V260000 · 2021 · reported 04/13/2021
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 35, the vehicle slowed down, there was an engine misfire, and the…”NHTSA complaint 11646980 — filed 03/07/2025 · ENGINE
“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the engine was running unusually rough. The oil warning light was…”NHTSA complaint 11626721 — filed 11/21/2024 · ENGINE
“I noitce a werid sound the cooling fan was making and car started run different so I turn around came home park it came out…”NHTSA complaint 11613349 — filed 09/08/2024 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia Forte?
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 57 of 134 NHTSA complaints (42.5%), followed by unspecified/other issues (30), air bags (16), electrical system (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2018 Kia Forte have?
134 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 13 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2018 Kia Forte have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 22V031000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2018 Kia Forte's reported problems?
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
