2020 Kia FORTE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
74 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
7,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 74 complaints (33.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 14 | 18.9% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 12.2% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 12.2% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 9.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 25 |
| Engine | 17 |
| Power Train | 16 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
Unknown Or Other: 25; Engine: 17; Power Train: 16; Electrical System: 10; Air Bags: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 53 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 15 |
2019: 1; 2020: 6; 2021: 8; 2022: 4; 2023: 17; 2024: 8; 2025: 15; 2026: 15
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 14 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11353364 · 2020-09-05 (September 5, 2020)
MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS THE DRIVER. THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, FACING THE DIRECTION SHE WANTED TO GO. THE STREET WENT DOWNHILL IN FRONT OF HER. SHE STARTED THE CAR. WHEN SHE BEGAN TO DRIVE, THE STEERING FELT VERY STIFF, SHE COULD BARELY STEER. SHE STARTED DRIVING ANYWAY. THEN THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. IN FACT, SHE SAID THAT PRESSING THE BRAKE SEEMED TO MAKE THE CAR GO FASTER (OR THIS COULD HAVE JUST BEEN THE EFFECT OF THE HILL). SO SHE ACCELERATED DOWN A SUBSTANTIAL HILL WITH NO BRAKING POWER. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STREET (AP…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11353364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11436639 · 2021-10-13 (October 13, 2021)
My expectant granddaughter was driving the vehicle on a trip. The transmission started intermittently slipping en route. She stopped and when she returned to the vehicle she discovered it would no longer go forward or backwards. It is still under warranty. The vehicle is still in Colorado. This happened Sept 4, 2021. It is now 10/13. I have contacted Kia multiple times speaking with different people. I escalated the call and was told someone named Melissa was my escalations person. I have never spoken to her. I have requested a buy back of the …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11436639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11558544 · 2023-12-05 (December 5, 2023)
MAKE: 2020 KIA FORTE MODEL: FORTE ODOMETER: approximately 88,000 miles VIN: [XXX] [XXX] On [XXX], while driving my Kia towards my home driveway, I noticed that the car's speed was fluctuating unpredictably. Despite having my foot slightly on the brake and off the gas pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate and decelerate as I made the turn into my residence. The Forte exhibited irregular and sluggish shifting, displaying a reluctance to engage or maintain gears, as well as experiencing missed or delayed gear changes. Addit…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11558544 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11582509 · 2024-04-12 (April 12, 2024)
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic informed the contact that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, and the contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken …
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11582509 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11316571 · 2020-03-06 (March 6, 2020)
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 SAME TIME THAT ALL THOSE LIGHTS TURNED ON (WHILE IN MOTION) THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STOPPED REGISTERING SPEED AND DROPPED TO ZERO ON BOTH GAUGES ALONG WITH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AS WELL. I PROCEEDED TO PUT THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND PULL …
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11316571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11623315 · 2024-11-03 (November 3, 2024)
1st problem, catalytic converter code says it's bad, check engine light on ever since, car is only 4 years old. 2nd problem possible electrical or wiring issue. Had to replace front right headlight(2times), back brake lights both sides, rear top brake light (2 times), daytime running lights both(2 times), currently right light bulb works, but light on says needs replacement. All in total changed 5 to 6 bulbs within 2 weeks of each other, which leads me to believe there is electrical or wire issue? Very frustrated with both issues. Not sure if r…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11623315 at NHTSA ↗