2020 Kia FORTE
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2020 Kia FORTE has 94 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 213. The most common issue is other problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: while vehicle is in motion on a city street, several warning lights popped up on the dashboard: electronic pwr steering, electronic stability indicator, tpms tire pressure, malfunction indicator lamp, autonomus emergency brake, adaptive front lighting , and low tire pressure warning lights. at the. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
94
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
0.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
OTHER
24 complaints- • WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS POPPED UP ON THE DASHBOARD: ELECTRONIC PWR STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY INDICATOR, TPMS TIRE PRESSURE, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP, AUTONOMUS EMERGENCY BRAKE, ADAPTIVE FRONT LIGHTING , AND LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS. AT THE
- • WHEN FUELING GAS, ONCE THE PUMP CLICKS AND STOPS PRODUCING FUEL AS THE CAR IS FULL, GAS GUSHES OUT OF THE TANK AND ONTO THE SIDE OF THE CAR FROM THE OPENING. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, TURNED OFF. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME, BUT I WOULD SAY ABOUT 2 OUT OF 5 TIMES FUELING. IT DOES THIS AT ALL
- • I PURCHASED THE 2020 KIA FORTE LAST APRIL 2020. THE TRUNK LATCH WOULD NOT OPEN TRUNK, REPORTED, SERVICED IT STILL PRESENTED TIGHT LEVERAGE FUNCTION DURING STABLE PARK POSITION. THE COMPUTER SCRAMBLED THE 1ST OR 2ND WEEK OF OWNING IT DURING MY EARLY MORNING HIGHWAY TRAVEL THE COMPUTER SCRAMBLED MORE
“WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS POPPED UP ON THE DASHBOARD: ELECTRONIC PWR STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY INDICATOR, TPMS TIRE PRESSURE, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP, AUTONOMUS EMERGENCY BRAKE, ADAPTIVE FRONT LIGHTING , AND LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS. AT THE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2020 Kia FORTE
Based on 31 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 7K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
OTHER
ENGINE
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Very high theft risk
The Kia FORTE was the #8 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 10,800 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Kia FORTE
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Kia FORTE
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Kia FORTE Service Intervals
Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners
These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2020 FORTE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 94 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐OTHER: WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS POPPED UP ON THE DASHBOARD: ELECTRONIC PWR STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY INDICATOR, TPMS TIRE PRESSURE, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP, AUTONOMUS EMERGENCY BRAKE, ADAPTIVE FRONT LIGHTING , AND LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS. AT THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: I PURCHASED THE 2020 KIA FORTE LAST APRIL 2020. THE TRUNK LATCH WOULD NOT OPEN TRUNK, REPORTED, SERVICED IT STILL PRESENTED TIGHT LEVERAGE FUNCTION DURING STABLE PARK POSITION. THE COMPUTER SCRAMBLED THE 1ST OR 2ND WEEK OF OWNING IT DURING MY EARLY MORNING HIGHWAY TRAVEL THE COMPUTER SCRAMBLED MORE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: ON SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2020, I WAS AT A STOP AND NEEDED TO GO NORTHBOUND ON A BUSY INTERSECTION. I SAW THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO SO I STEPPED ON THE GAS BUT MY VEHICLE WOULD BARELY ACCELERATE WHICH PUT ME IN HARMS WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FOR A MOMENT THERE I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET T-BONED. THIS ISSUE N
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: WHEN BACKING UP THE STEERING, KEY, AND WHEEL ALL LOCK. I WAS BACKING UP SO I WAS ALREADY GOING VERY SLOW. WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE THE CAR SLOWS DOWN BUT STILL MOVES VERY SLOW UNTIL IT CANT MOVE ANYMORE. I TRY TO JIGGLE OUT THE KEY AND PUT THE CAR IN LOCK BUT I JUST JIGGLE EVERYTHING UNTIL SOMETHI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Kia FORTE — Year Comparison
How does 2020 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 94
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 11
- Injury reports
- 6
- Segment avg
- 213
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2020 Kia FORTE