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Vehicle speed controlPart report

2020 Kia Forte Vehicle speed control Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
5%of 78 total for the year
Median mileage
5,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2020 Kia Forte, 5% of the 78 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,000 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.

“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 (approx. 1/4 mile) is a t-intersection. …”

NHTSA complaint #11353364, filed 2020-09, 5,000 miles

“While I am driving it is hard shifting and idling high, sometimes it doesn't want to pick up speed when starting from a stop. The wheels locked up going down a off ramp. There are no warning lights or anything on the dash. I will have it checked Monday but this started out of the blue. I have had regular maintenance on the vehicle and have all my receipts for proof. This is a serious issue especially with the wheels not functioning right and speed control is fluctuating.”

NHTSA complaint #11506820, filed 2023-02

“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

“Car took off. Zoomed. Out of control, my safety was put at risk since car speeded off. No one else safety was at risk since no one was around. The car is currently at a collision shop. Car has been inspected by insurance and being fixed. No warning signs and air bags did not come out.”

NHTSA complaint #11526961, filed 2023-06

Related service bulletins

Vehicle speed control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202323%
202214%
202111%
202045%
201975%
2018107%
2017176%
20161410%
201552%
2014143%
201321%
2012145%
2011106%
201094%

Other parts of the 2020 Kia Forte

Other or unknown
26 complaints
Engine
20 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
16 complaints
Electrical system
11 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
6 complaints
Air bags
5 complaints
Engine cooling
3 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Lane departure
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Exterior 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 31, 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