2020 Kia Forte Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 78 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2020 Kia Forte, 4% of the 78 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,000 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.
“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,892.”
NHTSA complaint #11660909, filed 2025-05, 117,892 miles“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light, and a message that Kia had been alerted of a failure was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to start the vehicle and drove back to the residence. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle was making an abnormal knocking sound before stalling. …”
NHTSA complaint #11589673, filed 2024-05, 80,000 miles“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure had occurred while the contact was driving on a major highway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11746397, filed 2026-06, 103,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238483Jun 9, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: LOOSE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY PARTIAL REPAIR - This bulletin provides information regarding a loose crankshaft pulley condition on certain 2020-2023MY Forte…
- 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…
- 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…
- 10201158Sep 1, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10187815Feb 3, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC20). This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised…
- 10184997Dec 3, 2020TSB_ELE200_CLOSED: Technical Service Bulletin superseded by SC199_TSB
- 10185021Dec 2, 2020SC199_POC - Proof of Completion Card
- 10183333Nov 25, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
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 2020 Kia Forte
26 complaintsEngine
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 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 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