Engine
NHTSA campaign 20V750000 · 2020 · reported 12/02/2020
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2015 Kia Forte Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine — runs 4.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
258Complaints
1Recalls
16Crashes
20Fires
11Injured
1Deaths
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 (60.5% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Engine complaints here are 4.8× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 156 · 60.5% | Recalled | Recall 20V750000 |
| Electrical System | 24 · 9.3% | not available | — |
| Air Bags | 23 · 8.9% | not available | — |
| Power Train | 17 · 6.6% | not available | — |
| Service Brakes | 15 · 5.8% | not available | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 13 · 5% | not available | — |
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 258 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 — 1 campaign
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
“PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE, MECHANIC NOTICE METAL PIECES IN THE OIL FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 11415203 — filed 05/04/2021 · ENGINE
“JUST FINANCED FROM A DEALER ON 4/12, HAD MAJOR OIL LEAK, HAD TO RETURN TO DEALERSHIP. SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED, BUT CURRENTLY STILL HAVE…”NHTSA complaint 11414702 — filed 05/01/2021 · ENGINE
“MY ENGINE JUST STARTED MAKING "KNOCKING" SOUNDS OUT OF NOWHERE...IM UP TO DATE ON OIL CHANGES AND I CHECK THE OIL OFTEN...IT KNOCKS WHILE IDLE…”NHTSA complaint 11414141 — filed 04/27/2021 · 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 2015 Kia Forte?
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 156 of 258 NHTSA complaints (60.5%), followed by unspecified/other issues (31), electrical system (24), air bags (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2015 Kia Forte have?
258 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 20 involved a fire, and 11 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2015 Kia Forte have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 20V750000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2015 Kia Forte's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
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 07/12/2026.
