2018 Kia Forte Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 4%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,300miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2018 Kia Forte, 4% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,300 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was discovered that the engine oil level was extremely low. The dealer kept the vehicle for nine months and performed an oil change. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who replaced the oil gasket cover, but the failure recurred with the engine making knocking sounds. …”
NHTSA complaint #11726619, filed 2026-03, 104,000 miles“The contact's son owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, with the oil pressure warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle was turned off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but there was white smoke coming from the engine. The contact raised the hood and inspected the engine, and the smoke had ceased. …”
NHTSA complaint #11761101, filed 2026-08, 100,300 miles“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 21V260000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
NHTSA complaint #11471135, filed 2022-06“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V260000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
NHTSA complaint #11471665, filed 2022-06Related recalls
- 21V260000Apr 13, 2021Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump…Covers: Kia Forte 2017–2018
Related service bulletins
- 10252731Apr 2, 2024PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2106) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform…
- 10220346Sep 16, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated…
- 10210583Apr 21, 2022SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2106Y/Z) - This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously…
- 10209438Mar 1, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10206642Jan 6, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10205426Dec 21, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10202786Oct 26, 2021SC203_OWNR: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to update the…
- 10202787Oct 25, 2021VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: ECM UPDATE FOR OBD LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC203) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM)…
- 10202789Oct 21, 2021Sc203_poc: proof of correction card
- 10202788Oct 21, 2021Sc203_stkr: voluntary emissions service campaign completion sticker
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 7% |
| 2020 | 3 | 4% |
| 2019 | 4 | 3% |
| 2018 | 5 | 4% |
| 2017 | 14 | 5% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% |
| 2014 | 4 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 2% |
| 2012 | 5 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 8 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Forte
57 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Kia Forte
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology