2020 Kia Forte problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (14) · Engine (10) · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Forte model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
21 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (100)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-08-05 · TSB_ENG263 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: misfire concern due to overrunning alternator decoupler - this bulletin provides information to address unresolved misfire events on some 2020–2024my forte (bdm) produced from january 1, 2019 through september 30, 2024, and 2020–2022my soul (sk3) vehicles produced from no
Structure:body 2026-06-08 · CS2312_TSB_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin prov
Power Train 2026-02-19 · SC199_OWNR_BD_3 · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: owner renotification (sc199 fl301) - this document is the owner renotification advising that kia is conducting voluntary service campaign to update the software programming on the transmission control module (tcm) and, if necessary, replace the intelligent vari
Structure:body 2026-02-19 · TSB_CS2312_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin prov
Structure:body 2025-12-18 · TSB_CS2312 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin provides information to install a theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector on certain 2010-2022my kia vehicles outlined on page 19, which may not have bee
Structure:body 2025-12-17 · CS2312_OWNR · Other
customer satisfaction campaign: owner notification (cs2312) - this document is the owner notification advising that kia is conducting customer satisfaction campaign. a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made available to owners of eligible kia model vehicles free
Showing the 6 most recent of 100 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-08 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“during a day trip on 9/19/26 my 2020 kia forte (purchased new and well maintained) lost power and several of the dash board lights came on including check engine, traction/stability control, and collision alerts. the car entered what i was told is "limp mode". i had the car towed home and after one shop misdiagnosed the problem i had it towed to th…”
2026-10-06 · Engine“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 manufacture defect. my safety and others are at risk because my car stalls when i decrease speed and i cannot accelerate fast enough to get up to the speed lim…”
2026-09-21 · 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 recall 25v-099/kia safety recall sc336…”
2026-09-09 · Unknown Or Other“the infotainment screen is de-laminating.…”
2026-08-25 · Air Bags · 109,900 mi“the contact owns a 2020 kia forte. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bags warning light illuminated and then went off. the contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the air bag warning light was again illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. th…”
2026-08-23 · Engine“engine burning excessive oil over a quart in 1000 miles. catalytic converter code p0420 because of the excessive oil burning. oil was always changed within the specified dealer milage range.…”
2026-08-20 · Unknown Or Other“i experienced a check engine light and had the vehicle diagnosed with codes p0017 and p0014. the vehicle was taken to a kia dealership, where the technician found that the exhaust camshaft was free-spinning without the phaser and that the pin connecting the two had sheared. the dealership replaced the exhaust camshaft and phaser and released the ve…”
2026-07-08 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“2020 kia forte, 2.0l 14f engine, 109,000 miles: on july 3.2026 "check engine" light came on. drove to local auto parts store to have code downloaded, p0017 cam position sensor. car was performing fine, except for engine light. drove car to kia dealership. while driving, warning light for "front collision system came on and car began performing e…”
2026-06-25 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 103,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 kia forte. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. there was no warning light illuminated. the failure had occurred while the contact was driving on a major highway. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. the contact was informed that there wa…”
2026-06-10 · Steering“steering wheel is turning completely around and made a noise. i noticed my steering wheel is loose it has been like that for time. but yesterday was the first time it turned completely around were i could not control it.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.