Model year
2014 Kia Forte
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 444 complaints for the 2014 Kia Forte (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 1 complaint under FORTE KOUP. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (216), STEERING (64), AIR BAGS (62). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated 2 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 24–29 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,300–$2,800, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2010 221 complaints
- 2011 154 complaints
- 2012 292 complaints
- 2013 195 complaints
- 2014 444 complaints
- 2015 260 complaints
- 2016 136 complaints
- 2017 305 complaints
- 2018 136 complaints
- 2019 149 complaints
- 2020 78 complaints
- 2021 69 complaints
- 2022 28 complaints
- 2023 65 complaints
- 2024 26 complaints
Recalls
20V750000 · Dec 2, 2020
ENGINE
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.
17V773000 · Dec 1, 2017
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated…
15V015000 · Jan 16, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kia Forte vehicles manufactured December 5, 2012, to April 17, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the cooling fan resistor may overheat and melt.
Complaints
444 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 32, fire flag on 36, injury field 29, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| FORTE KOUP | 2 | 1 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA21003 | Engine Fires · ENGINE | Dec 22, 2021 | Feb 5, 2024 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.103 | NHTSA photo |
| 5 HB FWD | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.103 | — |
| Koup 2 DR FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte · 2L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 35 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Forte · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 34 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Forte Eco · 1.8L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 34 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Forte · 1.8L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 35 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Forte · 1.8L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 36 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Forte Koup · 1.6L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 29 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Forte Koup · 1.6L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Forte Koup · 2L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 33 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Forte Koup · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 32 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Forte 5 · 1.6L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Forte 5 · 1.6L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Forte 5 · 2L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 33 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
1 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2014 Kia Forte at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.