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Electrical systemPart report

2020 Kia Forte Electrical system Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
14%of 78 total for the year
Median mileage
7,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 Kia Forte, 14% of the 78 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,000 miles.

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.

“When backing up the steering, key, and wheel all lock. I was backing up so I was already going very slow. When pressing on the brake the car slows down but still moves very slow until it cant move anymore. I try to jiggle out the key and put the car in lock but I just jiggle everything until something unlocks. It has happened 3 times since I got the car in march 2020.”

NHTSA complaint #11374917, filed 2020-11, 4,500 miles

“Water leaking into trunk causing malfunction to security alarm system auto trunk release and trunk lid open symbol trunk malfunction warnig symbols and alarm stayed on could not here any saftey alarms water in trunk damaged sensor could not lock or unlock trunk remotly could not here alarm on blind spot warning could not read any readings like speed, tire pressurer could not here seat belt lock chime”

NHTSA complaint #11416048, filed 2021-05, 7,000 miles

“I leased car 2020 Illinois. No problems. I had car transported to in 2022 to Los Angeles, and after a few months, the car would check engine light ALL lights I believe, and car suddenly stops and dies out at each stop light. This happened 3 times and frightened me. It happened every couple months and the repair people NEVER put notes on the repair invoice!! About exactly why I was bringing car in for repair, even if nothing on computer showed up, almost like the defect was bypassing (tricking computer) inspection. …”

NHTSA complaint #11518182, filed 2023-04

“There are significant idle issues (rpm’s shoot up & drop down irregularly while in park) and the car shut off while in park following irregular rpm movement, but was not exhibiting this behavior while previously parked elsewhere. I sent it in to be checked but nothing could be reproduced. A few weeks later the car began doing what felt like engine braking (in a manual vehicle) while I was letting the car roll forward in a traffic jam (foot off of pedals for short moment). A friend witnessed a the rpm’s rising and falling dramatically while sitting in the parked car. …”

NHTSA complaint #11555184, filed 2023-11

“The back windows won't go up or down they jam. You try to roll the passenger windows up or down & they won't do anything. Sometimes you have to turn on & off the car a few times open & closing the driver side door so the windows will work. Also the break lights Sometimes have a late response when you hit the breaks the lights don't respond has a delayed response”

NHTSA complaint #11447141, filed 2022-01

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024623%
20231117%
2022311%
2021812%
20201114%
20192315%
20181612%
20174715%
20162216%
20152911%
20145713%
20132513%
20123211%
20111610%
2010199%

Other parts of the 2020 Kia Forte

Other or unknown
26 complaintsEngine
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsLane departure
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Kia Forte

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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