2018 Kia Forte Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 7,398miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the body and structure of the 2018 Kia Forte, 5% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,398 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“I was entering an onramp at about 15mph; a car yielded in front of me. I hit my brakes and yet slid into the rear of the front car. I did not stop, even with brakes applied, and slid in to the front acre. No airbags deployed and my Kia was totaled and undrivable.”
NHTSA complaint #11197280, filed 2019-04, 6,800 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11553492, filed 2023-11“Water in the rear tail light. Dealer is trying to collect money from me, even though the other service tech said if it was not moisture but water retention that is would be under warranty. It is evident in the internet car forums that this has been happening to many current and previous Forte models and a factory know defect. The other issue is the gas tank lid won't opened. I had it in to be checked 7 times. They've replaced the spring, the replaced the lid. The Tech claimed yesterday that he couldn't replicate and when I picked up the car I couldn't open the gas tank lid.”
NHTSA complaint #11473893, filed 2022-07“Body paint on 2018 Kia Forte: Delamination of Snow White Pearl paint is causing peeling and bubbling on the car. Specific to the hood and driver car door at this time. It is available for inspection. This issue has been confirmed by an independent service center. Per the car dealer they were unaware of an issue or recall. The vehicle was inspected by the Collision shop. There were no prior warning or symptoms prior to the paint peeling.”
NHTSA complaint #11655640, filed 2025-04“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11650354, filed 2025-03Related service bulletins
- 11034003Jun 8, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 11028908Feb 19, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 11026825Dec 18, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a…
- 11026980Dec 17, 2025CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software…
- 10238479Jun 29, 2023VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN - APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL (SC264): This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10236656May 22, 2023VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a preventive measure, to…
- 10236657May 18, 2023VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL (SC264) - This bulletin provides information to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the…
- 10236371May 18, 2023VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Service…
- 10236370May 18, 2023VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Voluntary…
- 10236369May 18, 2023VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 4% |
| 2023 | 4 | 6% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 4 | 3% |
| 2018 | 7 | 5% |
| 2017 | 10 | 3% |
| 2016 | 5 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% |
| 2014 | 18 | 4% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 9 | 3% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 5 | 2% |
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 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 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