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Model Year Problem Record

Kia Forte 2018 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2018 Kia Forte: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

136Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
24Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine62 complaints

62 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 21V260000.

Unknown Or Other30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags16 complaints

16 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 22V031000.

Electrical System16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages4 complaints

4 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 21V622000.

Tires4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

21V260000Reported April 13, 2021 - 4,069 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on April 13, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 4,069 vehicles across all affected models.

21V622000Reported August 9, 2021 - 253,074 vehicles potentially affected

Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on August 9, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 253,074 vehicles across all affected models.

22V031000Reported January 25, 2022 - 410,619 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 25, 2022. The campaign covers an estimated 410,619 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20187
201915
202012
20219
202222
202317
202426
202518
202610
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.