2015 KIA Forte Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Forte years
- More complaints than other years 4th of 16 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 260 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 KIA Forte. That ranks 4th out of 16 Forte model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (158 complaints, 61%), typically at around 86,000 miles. Complaints mention 16 crashes, 20 fires, 11 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
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- 260owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 16complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2015 KIA Forte problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 158 | 61% | 86,000 | “oil engine” (7%) | — |
| Unknown or Other | 31 | 12% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 29 | 11% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 23 | 9% | 50,238 | — | — |
| Power Train | 17 | 7% | 72,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 15 | 6% | 40,400 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 13 | 5% | 67,700 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 10 | 4% | 52,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 2% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 2% | 90,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 4 | 2% | 1,760 | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 2% | 7,850 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 1% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 1% | 100,601 | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 1% | 10,800 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 1% | 1,904 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 1% | 250 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 0% | 200 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 0% | 56,334 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0% | 69,543 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2015 KIA Forte recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Loss of Motive Power (DP22003) — opened Sep 12, 2022, closed Dec 12, 2023.
- Engine Fires (EA21003) — opened Dec 22, 2021, closed Feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V877.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Vehicle has developed a severe knocking during acceleration, that stops during deceleration, and returns when in idle. I'm sure it is poison slap. I know there is an extension warranty, but the dealer says my car doesn't qualify. Then NHTSA has the SC200 safety recall. I need help with this car. My…
While driving my 2015 Kia Forte5 at approximately 80 mph on GA-400, I was traveling in the far-left lane when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly lost acceleration and engine power. Pressing the accelerator produced little to no response. There was no gradual reduction in speed or sufficient…
Recently had oil change . Right after B oil change engine light came on, a solid yellow light car is driving rough itâs a 2015 Kia Forte. Have an appointment Monday 7/13/2026 to have dealer to do a B diagnostic. The same place I had oil change
respectfully submit this correspondence to request formal assistance regarding my 2015 Kia Forte EX, a vehicle covered under the class settlement. The vehicle is exhibiting severe symptoms consistent with KSDSârelated engine failure, yet the required diagnostic protocol has not been completed by…
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that an anti-theft protection software update was performed in 2024. After the update was performed, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly turned off without warning. The transmission was shifted into neutral(N) and restarted…
Other KIA Forte years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Forte | 26 | 0 |
| 2023 Forte | 65 | 3 |
| 2022 Forte | 28 | 1 |
| 2021 Forte | 69 | 2 |
| 2020 Forte | 78 | 0 |
| 2019 Forte | 149 | 2 |
| 2018 Forte | 136 | 3 |
| 2017 Forte | 305 | 3 |
| 2016 Forte | 136 | 1 |
| 2015 | 260 | 1 |
| 2014 Forte | 444 | 3 |
| 2013 Forte | 195 | 5 |
| 2012 Forte | 292 | 4 |
| 2011 Forte | 154 | 3 |
| 2010 Forte | 221 | 3 |
| 2009 Forte | 1 | 0 |
See all KIA Forte problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
Similar KIA models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 KIA Forte?
Owners most often report engine, unknown or other, electrical system problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 158 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2015 KIA Forte?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2015 KIA Forte a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Forte model years, the 2015 has more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.