2018 Kia Forte Recalls, Problems & MPG
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 136 owner complaints for the 2018 Kia Forte. The EPA rates it 25 to 32 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
- Recalls
- 3
- Owner complaints
- 136
- Crashes / fires reported
- 13 / 3
- EPA combined
- 25–32 MPG
2018 Kia Forte recalls
Air BagsJan 25, 2022 · NHTSA 22V031000+
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Latches/Locks/LinkagesAug 9, 2021 · NHTSA 21V622000+
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Engine and Engine CoolingApr 13, 2021 · NHTSA 21V260000+
Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.
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.
Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.
Most reported 2018 Kia Forte problems
Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.
- Engine57
- Unknown or Other30
- Electrical System16
- Air Bags16
- Vehicle Speed Control10
- Fuel/Propulsion System8
- Power Train8
- Structure7
2018 Kia Forte gas mileage
EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).
| Version | Engine | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 29 | 37 | 32 | $2,000 |
| Forte | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,300 |
| Forte | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Manual 6-spd | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,300 |
| Forte 5 | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,300 |
| Forte 5 | 1.6 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM7) | 25 | 30 | 27 | $2,400 |
| Forte 5 | 1.6 L 4 cyl, Manual 6-spd | 23 | 29 | 25 | $2,550 |
Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.
Questions
Does the 2018 Kia Forte have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Kia Forte, most recently for the air bags (Jan 25, 2022). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Kia Forte problems?
Owners filed 136 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are engine (57), unknown or other (30), electrical system (16).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia Forte get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Kia Forte at 25 to 32 MPG combined (best version: 29 city / 37 highway).
Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.