Kia Forte engine problems, 2016–2024
395 of the 982 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia Forte 2016–2024 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2017 (159), 2016 (69), 2018 (62). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Kia Forte engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 28% | — | 3 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 9 | 14% | — | 8 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 6 | 22% | — | 7 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 22 | 32% | — | 14 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 21 | 28% | — | 23 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 40 | 27% | — | 24 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 62 | 46% | 68k | 41 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 159 | 52% | 82k | 45 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 69 | 50% | 60k | 63 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 10 · 2019: 24 · 2020: 22 · 2021: 35 · 2022: 54 · 2023: 58 · 2024: 59 · 2025: 78 · 2026: 53
Across the model years, half of the 130 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 35,000 and 105,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I was driving down the expressway when my car lost power. I tried giving it gas and it just would sputter, still barely moving. I had people almost hitting me. The car has less than 30,000 miles and I just had bought it 60 something days ago. The car will just loose power no matter how fast you going. The car is unsafe to drive
Every time I hot a bump the rear end goes all over the place. Also at a speed of 40 to 50 MPH the vehicle hesitate, for 10 to 15 seconds for no aparent reason. While i'm driving, especially going up a hill
In December after getting letter in the mail saying I needed an upgrade to my car's knock sensor I took it to a Kia dealership. I received word from the dealership that my car had suffered a lower crank shaft failure and would need to be replaced.
Went to get an oil change 5 months after purchasing this car a d there was metal shavings in the oil. Mechanic said this type of engine was notorious for this and we would need a new motor very soon. No check engine light or anything so we had no idea this was happening.
On 12/12/2021 my car stalled while driving. I started it up got to my destination, when leaving just a few minutes later it stalled again. On 12/13/2021 I was almost rear-ended when my car stalled while turning a corner on my way to work. On 12/14/2021 my car stalled two more times while driving. I have not driven it since.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 21V260000 HighApr 13, 2021 · 4,069 vehicles
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
3 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Apr 3, 2025
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - 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 provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the table on pages 9 and 10 for applicable models and engine
- Feb 28, 2025
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - 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 provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the tables on pages 8-9 for applicable models and engine), w
- Nov 8, 2024
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2106Y/Z) - 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 provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published (PI21
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Kia Forte years have the most engine complaints?
2017, 159; 2016, 69; 2018, 62. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2017 (52%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Kia Forte?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 21V260000 (2018). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Kia Forte?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 74,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 35,000 and 105,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.