Kia Forte VIN Number Check

Decode a Kia Forte VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefixKNA3KP

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Kia Forte

About the Kia Forte

Kia sold the Forte in the US for model years 2010–2024, across three generations. TD first (2010–2013), then YD (2014–2018), and the BD took over for 2019–2024. Across those years NHTSA lists 18 vehicle recall campaigns and 2,595 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the YD. Its 2014 and 2017 model years alone account for 746 of them, with owners bringing up engine and cooling most often and the electrical system after that. EPA rates the TD at 26–30 mpg combined, while the BD gets 26–35 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2010–2024

GenerationsTD · YD · BD

NHTSA recall campaigns18

Owner complaints2,595 at NHTSA

Kia Forte photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Kia Forte generations

Three generations since the 2010 model year. The YD (2014–2018) has the most owner complaints, the TD (2010–2013) and BD (2019–2024) the most recall campaigns (7 each).

3 / 3

2019–20243rd generation

Photo: LuvsMG481, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2010201520202024

2019–2024· Generation 3 of 3

BD · 3rd generation

EPA classMidsize Cars

EPA combined mpg26–35

NHTSA recalls7

Engines (EPA)

2.0 L 4-cyl · 2019–2024
1.6 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2020–2024

Drive & transmission (EPA)

FWD
CVT (2019–2024), manual (2019–2024), automated manual/dual-clutch (2020–2024)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (105)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (83)Electrical system (61)2 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 406 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · BD3KPF24AD?KE······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2019 Kia Forte FE/LX/LXS, built in Tijuana, Mexico

Check a Forte VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Forte model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 18 campaigns on file for Forte model years 2010–2024, and the 2013 shows up in more of them than any other year (5), ahead of the 2012 (4). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Kia Forte owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2014 (443 of 2,595). Tap any bar or generation.

2,595NHTSA complaints, 2010–2024

237mention a crash

139mention a fire

193injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearBD: 406 complaints · most for the 2019 (147)

Top complaint areas · BD

Mentions in 406 complaints, 2019–2024.

Engine and cooling105

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)83

Electrical system61

Forward collision avoidance47

Steering38

Air bags32

Crashes 51Fires 11Injuries 27

2019–2024 (BD)

NHTSA data summary

The 2019 stands out. On its own it has 147 of the BD’s 406 complaints (36%), and owners across the generation name engine and cooling most often (105 mentions), then powertrain (83).

What Forte owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2019–2024 (3rd generation, BD)

Transmission complaints lead for the 2019. NHTSA owners describe transmission trouble and stalls, and CarComplaints, with about 20 reports for 2019, ranks transmission failure first, followed by a loud screech or grind before the car stalled and a transmission that slips constantly. Recalls on 2019 models cover LED headlights that may not have been made correctly and a left front axle driveshaft that may not have been heat-treated and can break. [1] [2]

2014–2018 (2nd generation, YD)

Engine complaints lead NHTSA reports for the 2014, with owners describing knocking, noise and some fires. CarComplaints ranks an engine that runs roughly first for 2017, followed by a check engine light and a taillight that is not sealed properly. Recalls cover an engine compartment fire risk on 2014–2015 models, a brake pedal stopper pad on 2014 models that can keep the brake lights on, and a cooling fan resistor on some 2014 models that may overheat and melt. [3] [4]

2010–2013 (1st generation, TD)

Engine trouble dominates NHTSA complaints for the 2012, with owners describing knocking, stalls, smoke and engine failure. CarComplaints ranks a blown engine first for 2012, followed by knocking with a lack of power and oil leaks. Recalls cover an air bag control unit on 2010–2013 models that may short and keep the front air bags from deploying, an engine compartment fire risk on 2012–2013 models and an ABS control unit on 2010–2013 models that can short and cause a fire. [5] [6]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the air bag unit, fire and ABS unit recalls on 2010–2015 models and the headlight and axle recalls on 2019 models.
Ask for oil change records and any engine replacement paperwork.
On the drive, listen for knocking, watch for stalls, feel for transmission slipping and check that the brake lights go off when the pedal is released.

Sources (6) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner opinions · Reddit

What Kia Forte owners say on Reddit

Summarized from public threads

SummaryPros & consThreads

Kia Forte owners on Reddit share some impressive mileage stories, including a 2011 Forte Koup past 300,000 miles with only new coils, a 2016 with the six-speed automatic past 200,000, and an owner running three 2023 cars up to 300 miles a day. The fear is engine failure from oil burning, and one 2020 Forte GT owner faced a dead engine around 72,000 miles with a bone-dry dipstick. GT owners love the car but find its dual-clutch jerky and loud, and owners debate when to change the IVT fluid.

Pros

Some cars pass 200,000 and even 300,000 miles
Forte GT praised as fun with plenty of features
The IVT automatic holds up in heavy daily use for some owners

Cons

Oil consumption and engine failures on some engines
Dual-clutch in the GT feels jerky and loud in slow traffic
Conflicting advice on IVT fluid service, with a dealer quote of $365

2011 Kia Forte Koup surpassed 300k miles recently! r/kia · 2026-08-25
2016 Forte still going r/kia · 2026-09-03
2023 Kia Forte LXS - Should I change the CVT fluid at 66k miles? r/kia · 2026-08-14
Is our 2020 kia forte gt done for? r/kia · 2026-08-05
Kia Forte GT good car? r/whatcarshouldIbuy · 2026-03-06

Opinions of individual owners, summarized in our own words. Not verified data; check recalls and complaints above.

Owner complaints · by model year

Forte complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Forte version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

2,595complaints, 2010–2024

237mention a crash

139mention a fire

193injuries reported

10complaints report a death

Most complaints: 2014 (443), 2012 (306), 2017 (303)

2014 · 443 complaints

Crashes 32 · fires 36 · injuries 29

Engine216

Steering64

Air bags63

Electrical system58

Unknown or other50

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Forte CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 105 Forte versions for model years 2010–2024. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 256 g/mi (2022). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

TD2010–2013

26–30 mpg · CO₂ 296–348 g/mi

YD2014–2018

24–32 mpg · CO₂ 279–370 g/mi

BD2019–2024

26–35 mpg · CO₂ 256–348 g/mi

Model year2024

34combined MPG

261CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$1,950EPA yearly fuel cost

7/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

7/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2024: Forte FE · Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L — 34 MPG · 261 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Forte vs Honda Civic vs Hyundai Elantra

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2019–2024. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the Forte, against 11 for the Honda Civic and 17 for the Hyundai Elantra. Pick a range to compare.

Kia ForteBD

Model years 2019–2024

NHTSA recall campaigns: 7
NHTSA owner complaints: 406
EPA combined mpg: 26–35
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 4★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 105
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 83
Electrical system 61

Honda Civic

Model years 2019–2024

NHTSA recall campaigns: 11
NHTSA owner complaints: 2,275
EPA combined mpg: 24–36
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.5, 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Steering 1,344
Forward collision avoidance 255
Fuel system 184

Hyundai Elantra

Model years 2019–2024

NHTSA recall campaigns: 17
NHTSA owner complaints: 1,070
EPA combined mpg: 23–54
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.4, 1.6, 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA): FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 333
Electrical system 207
Forward collision avoidance 171

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Kia Forte VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Forte

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Blue Kia Forte (third generation) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Forte's VIN plate is at the base of the driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker and a door sill label beneath the driver's door are the secondary locations. The BD generation starts with the 2019 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (K for 2019) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Kia Forte VIN questions

Which Kia Forte model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2014 leads with 443, ahead of the 2012 (306) and 2017 (303). Those first two alone make up 29% of the 2,595 Forte complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Kia Forte had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 18 vehicle campaigns for model years 2010–2024, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, the TD and BD have the most (7 each), then the YD (6); a campaign can span two generations.

Which Kia Forte recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 23V-652, 20V-750 and 15V-015. Do-not-drive advisories came with 23V-649 and 24V-244. Park-outside advisories came with 23V-652. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Forte generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the TD is 2010–2013 and the YD 2014–2018. BD spans 2019–2024. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (K is 2019).

What fuel economy does the Kia Forte get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2019–2024 BD at 26–35 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 26–30 mpg for the 2010–2013 TD (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Kia Forte compare with the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra on recalls?

For 2019–2024 models the Forte has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda Civic has 11, the Hyundai Elantra 17. Complaints run 406, 2,275 and 1,070 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Kia Forte have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2024 Forte 4 stars overall. One version, FWD, is rated.

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