2018 Kia Forte Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

57Engine complaints

42.5%Of all 134 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE57 · 42.5%

Unspecified / other30 · 22.4%

AIR BAGS16 · 11.9%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14 · 10.4%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9 · 6.7%

Share of the 134 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Kia Forte overview page.

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

“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

“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

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Kia Forte have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2018 Kia Forte: 57 of 134 complaints on file (42.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2018 Kia Forte have in total?

134 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 13 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 9 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

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.