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2018 Kia Forte

2018 Kia Forte: engine complaints dominate, but air bags carry the safety risk

Across 134 owner complaints to NHTSA, engine problems lead by a wide margin at 57 reports (43%). The next areas are far smaller: electrical system and air bags tie at 16 reports each (12%). Air bags stand out for safety: all 8 crashes and all 8 injuries in this data sit in that category, with owners reporting air bags that did not deploy. The engine category includes 1 fire and 2 crashes.

Most reported areas

Engine safety 43%
By far the most-reported area: 57 complaints (43%), including 1 fire and 2 crashes. No injuries reported in this category.
Electrical System safety 12%
16 complaints (12%), including 1 fire and 2 crashes. One owner reports the trunk popping open on its own, even while parked or driving.
Air Bags safety 12%
The biggest safety concern: 16 complaints (12%) but tied to 8 crashes and 8 injuries, every crash and injury in this data. Owners report air bags that failed to deploy in a collision.
Vehicle Speed Control0 7%
10 complaints (7%), with no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.
Power Train safety 6%
8 complaints (6%), including 1 crash. One owner reports a rough idle at a standstill early in the car's life.

Source: NHTSA owner complaints · 134 complaints

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General information compiled from public NHTSA complaint data, for reference only — not professional advice and not reviewed by automotive experts. Verify before acting; Team AM is not responsible for decisions made from it.