2020 KIA Forte Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Forte years
- Fewer complaints than other years 11th of 16 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 KIA Forte. That ranks 11th out of 16 Forte model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is unknown or other (26 complaints, 33%), typically at around 4,000 miles. Complaints mention 9 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year.
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- 78owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 9complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2020 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or Other | 26 | 33% | 4,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 20 | 26% | 53,355 | — | — |
| Power Train | 16 | 21% | 17,600 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 11 | 14% | 7,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 6 | 8% | 103,069 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 5 | 6% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 5% | 5,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 4% | 103,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 3 | 4% | 3,545 | — | — |
| Steering | 3 | 4% | 4,750 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | 100 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1% | 5,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1% | 103,069 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 1% | 45 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2020 KIA Forte recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 2020 KIA Forte.
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.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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
The infotainment screen is de-laminating.
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…
Other KIA Forte years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Forte | 26 | 0 |
| 2023 Forte | 65 | 3 |
| 2022 Forte | 28 | 1 |
| 2021 Forte | 69 | 2 |
| 2020 | 78 | 0 |
| 2019 Forte | 147 | 2 |
| 2018 Forte | 136 | 3 |
| 2017 Forte | 305 | 3 |
| 2016 Forte | 136 | 1 |
| 2015 Forte | 260 | 1 |
| 2014 Forte | 444 | 3 |
| 2013 Forte | 195 | 5 |
| 2012 Forte | 292 | 4 |
| 2011 Forte | 153 | 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 2020 KIA Forte?
Owners most often report unknown or other, engine, power train problems. The top one, unknown or other, accounts for 26 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2020 KIA Forte?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 2020 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 2020 has fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.