Model year
2015 Kia Forte
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 260 complaints for the 2015 Kia Forte (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 0 complaints under FORTE KOUP. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (158), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (31), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (24). NHTSA lists 2 investigations. NHTSA rated the 4 DR FWD 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 24–30 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,250–$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.
Complaints
260 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 16, fire flag on 20, injury field 11, deaths field 1. 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 | 1 | 0 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA21003 | Engine Fires · ENGINE | Dec 22, 2021 | Feb 5, 2024 |
| DP22003 | Loss of Motive Power · ENGINE | Sep 12, 2022 | Dec 12, 2023 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.103 | NHTSA photo |
| 5 HB FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | 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 Koup · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 34 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Forte Koup · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 33 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Forte Koup · 1.6L · Automatic (S6) · 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 · 1.8L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 36 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Forte · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 36 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Forte 5 · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 33 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Forte 5 · 1.6L · Automatic (S6) · 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 · 1.8L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 37 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
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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 2015 Kia Forte at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.