2022 Kia Forte

Routine

Owners filed 26 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the unknown or other. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Unknown or Other6
000
Engine3
000
Steering2
100
Power Train2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling2
000
Air Bags2
201
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems1
011
Suspension1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Steering › Column22V304000
Filed May 5, 202230 vehiclesKia Motors America

Defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.

Risk. Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Aug 20, 2026TX

AC is not blowing cold air even after replacing refrigerant. Mechanic says the compressor has failed, even though the car is only a few years old and has never been involved in any major incidents.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 7, 2026VA

Air compressor broken Backup camera not working

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 12, 2026NY

Vehicle: 2022 Kia Forte LXS I am filing this complaint regarding a complete air conditioning system failure on my 2022 Kia Forte LXS, which is fully covered under Kia's 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. The vehicle has been driven under 60,000 miles and has no accident history. The AC system failed completely. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealership for diagnosis and repair. The dealer recharged the refrigerant system, however the vehicle is still not cooling properly. The dealer has been unable to provide a confirmed diagnosis after multiple days, citing either the compressor or heating core as potential causes, but has not committed to a repair timeline or parts order. Of additional concern, the dealer has suggested 'outside influence' then said on the 4th say it maybe mechanical failure, but we have to check more of the compressor and heating coil as a possible cause despite my vehicle having no accident history, no modifications, and being only 4 years old. This appears to be an attempt to deny a valid warranty claim without evidence. I have an open case with Kia Consumer Affairs, however corporate has deferred entirely back to the dealer with no resolution or timeline. I am currently incurring out-of-pocket rental car expenses due to the dealer's backlog of loaner vehicles. I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this matter. A complete AC system failure on a nearly new vehicle with no external cause raises serious concerns about manufacturin

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 11, 2026CA

At low and moderate speeds, engine intermittently and slightly stalls? A rapid alarm sounds and no signal lights up on dashboard. This is corrected by tapping on the gas. This has been an ongoing issue since 2022. The last date this occcured 6/5/2026 mileage 32149 7:15pm traveling at 30 mph driving into direct sunlight signs: fast rapid alarm went on no light or visual alert on dashboard slight stalling and grinding sound in engine. While sunlight is known to activate forward collision avoidance, the lack of signal on dashboard leads me to believe it's something else. I have two case numbers filed with Kia America about this issue. I have taken it in for servicing at a Kia dealer as well. They can't reproduce the problem and are not clear on what it is, understandably. They changed some settings on the car the last time I took it in (June 2025) and said to bring it back if it continues. I asked and they said there were no recalls about such an issue.

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 27, 2026TX

The front driver side door is ‘popping’ open while driving. In addition, the seatbelt randomly releases while driving.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jan 5, 2026FL

The OEM projector halogen headlights on the 2022 Kia Forte provide insufficient illumination for safe nighttime operation. On unlit or poorly lit roads, the low-beam distance is inadequate to identify road hazards, pedestrians, or signage in time to react at standard posted speeds (45+ mph). This creates a "dead zone" where the driver is effectively over-driving their headlights. This is a known design deficiency reflected in the IIHS "Poor" safety rating for this model. The lack of light throw creates an unreasonable risk of collision. High beams offer a marginal improvement in angle but do not resolve the primary visibility failure. I am requesting an investigation into the headlight assembly design and a potential recall or dealer-installed remedy to meet acceptable safety visibility standards. For reference, my electric scooter (segway max g3) is triple the brightness of my automobile!

Steering
Filed Dec 29, 2025OR

I've been experiencing issues with steering loosening/tighting for over 1 1/2 years.21,000 miles since I first reported the issue 5/23/24.Within a few months of reporting the steering issue,I started having issues with my car not staying in alligment after a few hundred miles. There are no warning lights.The tension in my steering wheel is inconsistent in a way that it shouldn't be. At first,I only noticed it at hwy speeds.Now,I notice it even at lower speeds.The faster the speed the worse it is.My steering wheel will have the stiffness it should,then suddenly briefly loosen,then go back to normal stiffness.Which causes constant minor corrections,risking over correcting leading to a wreck.I have had a couple close calls.As time has gone on,it's just gotten worse.It's now to a point that it's sketchy to drive on the freeway & nearly impossible (if not impossible)to drive on the freeway if its windy.I no longer drive the freeway & find back roads to drive at slower speeds & less traffic.I constantly feel all over the road & like the car is gonna wobble out of control.Picture taking your steering wheel & making frequent(almost constantly now)slight back and forth, back and forth, movements, that's basically what it feels like.The higher the speed while doing that, the higher risk to wreck.When I feel like I'm gonna wobble out of control,I tightly grip the steering wheel, straighten&lock my arms,& let off the gas &let the car slow on its own.I feel if I use the brakes in that mom

Suspension
Filed Dec 13, 2025CA

The front passenger-side lower control arm on my 2022 Kia Forte fractured completely without warning during normal driving conditions. There was no collision, curb strike, pothole impact, or accident. The fracture appears clean and brittle, not bent or deformed. The failure caused suspension misalignment, damage to the CV axle, and uneven tire wear, creating a loss-of-control risk. The vehicle was inspected and no impact damage or deformation was found on surrounding suspension components. Kia has denied warranty coverage, stating ‘external forces’ caused the failure, but has provided no physical evidence, documentation, or explanation to support that conclusion. This appears to be a premature failure of a safety-critical suspension component. A sudden control arm fracture presents a serious steering and safety hazard and should not occur under normal operation The dealership indicated that they had a written explanation attributing the failure to ‘external forces,’ but when I requested supporting details, photographs, or physical evidence of impact, none were provided at the time. I was told that further explanation or documentation would not be available until a manager review at a later date. As of filing this complaint, no physical evidence supporting an external-force determination has been shown.

Power Train
Filed Sep 15, 202532,000 milesCA

The contact leased a 2022 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the vehicle failed to respond while the gear shifter was in reverse(R). There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was test-driven, and the dealer became aware that the transmission was slipping. The dealer inspected the vehicle and found clutch debris inside the transmission. The dealer cleaned the transmission, replaced the dual clutch, and reprogrammed the TCM and clutch actuator. The contact stated that the failure persisted after the dealer had serviced the vehicle. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear, and the vehicle was jerking, and the warning light was illuminated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

Engine
Filed Apr 7, 2025NJ

Hi I had my Kia forte GT 2022 for 3 years and my engine light has been on for about 3 months now . I get a check up and an oil change regularly. It comes on and goes off . I told my mechanic and he said I might have to get a new transmission. I only had this brand new car for 3 years . Is there a defect in these Kia forte GT or a recall .

Engine
Filed Apr 1, 2025IN

In early 2025, I encountered a serious issue with my 2022 Kia Forte GT, a manual car with 76,000 miles and a 1.6L turbo Gamma engine. I took it for a routine oil change at a local non-Kia shop, but they refused, finding metal particles in the oil, suggesting engine damage. Worried, I towed it to a Kia dealership for a warranty-covered inspection, given my 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. The dealership proposed a $500 engine flush, claiming it would clear contaminants, and advised me to drive 1,000 miles, even until the engine seized if needed, before returning. This shocked me—driving with metal risked catastrophic failure, potentially costing $3,000-$6,000 for a new engine, and seemed designed to avoid warranty responsibility. At 76,000 miles, I believed the metal indicated a manufacturing defect, not wear, especially since I’d used 5W-30 synthetic oil per Kia’s schedule. The non-Kia shop’s refusal left my maintenance history unclear, but Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects me from paying for fixes if it’s a defect. I contacted Kia customer service (1-800-333-4542), but they wouldn’t talk, citing my lawyer’s involvement. My lawyer, however, has been unresponsive to calls and emails for weeks, leaving me stranded. The dealership’s “drive until seizure” advice felt unsafe, prompting me to consider an NHTSA complaint at www.nhtsa.gov with my VIN to report this potential defect. This ordeal has caused significant stress and financial worry. I’ve asked the dealership fo

SteeringCrash
Filed Oct 26, 2024NM

I got into an accident i On December 10th, 2023 my car was totaled out. My steering wheel felt like it was doing its own thing and I crashed straight into a curb and some rocks. I was injured and they had just fixed my steering because of the recall but I don’t know if they did it correctly

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 23, 2024FL

My car body material looks like a baby toy I have a bas accient and

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating SystemsFire1 injured
Filed May 22, 2024FL

That happens on the bridge on nW 7 st

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 15, 202421,840 milesWI

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Forte. The contact stated that after driving and parking the vehicle, upon restarting the vehicle, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. There was a puddle of oil near the vehicle. While driving 35–40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and shutoff. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who informed the contact that the oil drain plug was missing. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the battery and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact called the warranty company and was provided warranty information. The failure mileage was approximately 21,840.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Dec 5, 2023NY

Air bags did not deploy in a front/side impact crash. Driver slid on ice and slush, went off the road and hit a tree. The car is currently being evaluated by the service center and insurance company. No sensors or warnings went off.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 10, 2023NV

Vehicle was accidentally left in drive with the engine off. Ignition key was able to be removed from ignition cylinder even though vehicle was in gear and allowed it to roll away several feet.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 10, 2023SC

I believe that airbags/ airbag sensors have failed or malfunctioned and they are available for inspection. My safety as well as the safety of others was put at risk because the airbags should have deployed and they didn’t putting us further at risk. The problem hasn’t been confirmed or reproduced by anyone professional. The vehicle has not been inspected as of yet. There were no warning signs or lamps of any kind.

Power Train
Filed Sep 8, 2023TX

Hello, I purchased my car brand new March 2022. Since April of 2023 I have been having issues with my cars stalling upon acceleration off and on, and the wipers occasionally getting stuck in the upright position especially during heavy rain periods, which makes it hard to see the roads clearly. I have reported these issues to KIA on multiple occasions. My vehicle has been to the dealership for repairs three times for transmission issues: First service date was 6/3/23 I drove the car after having a multi-point inspection and telling the advisor my car was having issues accelerating. The advisor simply explained they found no issues. On the way home the car started to jerk, then would slow on acceleration, and ultimately began losing power while driving. Not once did I receive a warning code on the dashboard I called and KIA had it towed back to their Service department for a diagnostic. It was released back to me on 7/08/23, the advisor stated codes were input, but no transmission was replaced only for the vehicle to repeat the same issues, but worst on 7/31/23 the car jerked uncontrollably, would not push off making it impossible to accelerate at all and running at a very slow pace. I was able to make it to the dealership, however once reviewed it was noted that indeed the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then in service/at the dealership from 7/31/23 - 9/2/23. I retrieved the vehicle after a new transmission was installed, and within two hou

Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings
Filed Jul 27, 2023IL

I keep shutting down, not going on something with a forward assist on top of that. I have no control over my car does whatever ones and it’s very unstable Fawzy no control is very unstable very bumpy road to the point I don’t even wanna drive

20 of 26 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2014
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202424000Routine
202361341Do not drive
2022 — this page26110Routine
202167200Routine
202075020Routine
2019147240Routine
2018136330Routine
2017301394Fatalities reported
2016135160Routine
20152591201Fatalities reported
20144403360High concern
20131955131Fatalities reported
20122914223Fatalities reported
20111533121Fatalities reported
2010221341Fatalities reported
20091000Routine

Compare every Forte year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 5, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.