Kia Forte Body Problems

Owners have filed 81 complaints about body & structure problems with the Kia Forte — 3% of all Forte complaints. The worst model years are 2014 (18), 2017 (10) and 2012 (9). Problems typically start around 28,000 miles. No body recall has been issued for the Forte.

81complaints
2014worst year
28ktypical miles
0related recalls
19crashes
9fires

Body complaints by model year

’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’245892184510741341
Body complaints per model year, Kia Forte.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
202414%—
202346%—
202134%—
202011%0 miles
201943%2,000 miles
201875%8,000 miles
2017103%35,000 miles
201654%28,000 miles
201542%12,000 miles
2014184%12,000 miles
201321%1,000 miles
201293%18,000 miles
201185%68,000 miles
201052%92,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Body
    73
  • Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments
    1
  • Body › Trunk lid
    1
  • Body › Roof and pillars
    1

Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    2764%
  • 25k–50k
    410%
  • 50k–75k
    410%
  • 75k–100k
    37%
  • 100k–150k
    37%
  • 150k+
    12%

What owners report

I walked out to my car and I noticed there were scratches and dents that weren't there that morning. I park in a carport in my apartment, and the only vehicle that could've possibly hit mine would be the GMC Yukon who parks in the carport next to me. Their car is completely wrecked on the back, so although there are scratches that match the damage to my car, they could easily say they didn't do it. However, their back drivers side window is replaced with black tape, and their passenger side mirror is blown off as well. These 2 damages blocked their vision of my vehicle, which explains why they are responsible for the damages. The tags on their vehicle have been expired for 2 years as well.

2023 Forte · Body · Aug 2024 · crash

My father was in a fatal vehicle accident in which the car was going very fast and then he crashed into a building. The car then started on fire. The black box was unable to be recovered to check car function. There were no medical findings

2023 Forte · Body · Oct 2023 · crash · fire

On May 13, 2023, I was involved in a severe frontal collision on the passenger side while driving my 2021 Kia Forte. The impact caused significant damage, and my insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. Despite the severity of the crash, none of the airbags deployed. I experienced body pain for several days following the accident. Given the nature of the collision and the damage sustained, the airbags should have deployed to protect the occupants. This raises serious concerns about the reliability of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).

2021 Forte · Body · May 2023 · crash · 1 injury

The car is making a noise that we finally found out it was the hood rattling. Took it to the shop and the hood latch looks to be secure, and non=adjustable. Was told that the rubber adjustable hood bumpers are too short, however the dealer said that they are correct, but agreed they can't be adjusted anymore to eliminate the noise. This gives us great safety concern that the hood is not property secured, or has a defective latch, in addition to the constant noise that the dealer said they will only address within the first 12 months or 12K miles.

2021 Forte · Body · Feb 2022

I Bought a white 2019 KIA forte almost brand new around July of 2019 my bumpers paint began peeling in a tiny spot I thought was a chip from a rock but rapidly began peeling all over. February of 2020 was when I thought it started getting pretty bad chips and chunks were missing all over the bumper and it wasn't even a year yet maybe 10,000 miles by then. I took it to Kia they said I had to take it to Buick GMC dealership l where I bought it yet they told me I had to take it to KIA it was a lot of back and forth and I was busy with school and work it just wasn't a priority at the time. It is now Jan 2022 a little over 45,000 miles it is still under bumper to bumper warranty. I took it into KIA on Jan 18 2022 for other recalls and sensor problems but when bringing up the paint problem nothing they said nothing can be done and it was not covered. …

2019 Forte · Body · Feb 2020

Part of the subframe is corroded already and the engine cradle has begun to break, the control arm has begun to move where it meets the engine cradle and I now need to have the vehicle repaired. Previously the lower engine mount fell out of place due to the threads that kept it attached to the subframe were worn out due to corrosion and was causing the vehicle to vibrate violently. This issue has been fixed for $400 but now the rest of the engine cradle has to be inspected and repaired due to the corrosion. I have to make an appointment with the KIA repair center in my area to have the vehicle inspected which will be weeks if not months out to have it looked at as they are often booked. …

2018 Forte · Body · Mar 2025

I have 4 recall notices on this vehicle, my trunk latch stopped working 3 days ago, after a trip to the grocery store. now the trunk will not close had to strap it down with bungee cords to the under carriage . The 2 Kia Dealers in my area of Riverside County California have said to me they're not touching recall work, there's that excuse, I've requested 4 appointments online with both dealers and I've never gotten a call-back! They suggest scheduling appointments online because no one answers the phones. If they do answer a ringing phone they simply transfer me to another phone that nobody answers. Frustrating. No voicemail?! I'm getting no support from Kia! It's illegal in California to drive with your trunk strapped down, it's also a huge safety issue! Having to strap the trunk down is damaging my car paint job. Trying to do the right thing and getting no support. What do I do now? …

2018 Forte · Body · Oct 2023

The trunk of my 2017 Kia Forte wouldn't open in the morning. I checked for a solution online and saw there was an active recall (SC216) on the latching mechanism of the trunk which was causing it to get stuck. Took it to the dealership to get it fixed. They fixed it but then told me I needed to pay for it. When I told them it was a recall issue they took the new part off and told me to leave. Now my trunk doesn't close and it's being held in place with a piece of string.

2017 Forte · Body · Dec 2021

Frequently asked questions

Which Kia Forte years have body problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (18), 2017 (10), 2012 (9), 2011 (8) and 2018 (7) model years. Body complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2014.

Is there a recall for Kia Forte body problems?

No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for any Kia Forte model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.

At what mileage do Kia Forte body problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles; 74% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the body (73 mentions), followed by the body › hood › hinge and attachments (1).

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.