Kia Forte, representative photo
Representative model. Photo: Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2018 Kia Forte recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2018 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns
3
Park-it warnings
0
Complaints
136
Latest campaign
Jan 25, 2022

Recall summary by component3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
ComponentCampaignsLatestCampaign IDs
Air bags1Jan 25, 2022
22V031000
Latches/locks/linkages1Aug 9, 2021
21V622000
Engine and engine cooling1Apr 13, 2021
21V260000

Safety recalls3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
0Park-it warnings
0Fixable over the air
Jan 25, 2022Latest campaign
Jan 25, 202222V031000

Air bags

Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 22V031000
What's wrong
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.
Risk
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
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.
Campaign
NHTSA 22V031000 · Jan 25, 2022
Aug 9, 202121V622000

Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid latch

A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

DetailsHide details for campaign 21V622000
What's wrong
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."
Risk
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
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.
Campaign
NHTSA 21V622000 · Aug 9, 2021
Apr 13, 202121V260000

Engine and engine cooling: engine oil/lubrication

A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 21V260000
What's wrong
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.
Risk
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
Campaign
NHTSA 21V260000 · Apr 13, 2021
To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component136

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h
136Complaints filed
13Involving a crash
3Involving a fire
9Injuries reported
ComponentShareComplaints%CrashesFiresInjuries
Engine5742210
Unknown or other3022221
Electrical system1612210
Air bags1612808
Vehicle speed control107000
Fuel/propulsion system86000
Power train86100
Structure75202
Exterior lighting64000
Engine and engine cooling54000
Steering54100
Service brakes43101
Latches/locks/linkages43000
Tires32000
Seat belts21101

6 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

  • Fuel/propulsion system

    “There is an issue with the fuel pump where it would stall or shut off while driving or at a stoplight”

    Filed 09/02/2026 · ODI 11761532
  • Engine and engine cooling

    “The contact's son owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, with the oil pressure…”

    Filed 08/31/2026 · ODI 11761101
  • Exterior lighting

    “Have to replace running lights every 4-6 months on both of my headlights. Happened every 4-6 months since I got the car in 2017”

    Filed 04/27/2026 · ODI 11734041

Other Kia Forte model years

All years: 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012 · 2011 · 2010

Other Kia models

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2018 Kia Forte recall questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Forte have?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Kia Forte. The most recent, 22V031000 (reported January 25, 2022), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Kia Forte?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 57 complaints out of 136 filed with NHTSA (42%). Across all complaints, owners reported 13 crashs and 3 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2018 Kia Forte?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer.

Check a specific Kia by VIN

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