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Here Are The Kia Forte Years To Avoid

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The Kia Forte is a popular compact car available in two-door coupe, four-door sedan, and five-door hatchback options on the market. It’s a sleek little option anyone can drive in the city or the countryside. There are some incredible Kia Forte years on the market and some Kia Forte years to avoid.

If you are thinking about a Kia Forte, it’s crucial to know the Kia Forte years to avoid. A few of them are better at driving on the road than others. CoPilot can help you decide the ideal choices for your budget and clarify the Kia Forte years to avoid. We will help you narrow down your dream year in no time.


THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE KIA FORTE

Now in its third generation, the Forte is a readily available choice on the used car scene. With this in mind, we’ll explore the most reliable Kia Forte years.


Quick Answer - Avoid Kia Forte Year Models 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2017

There aren’t too many years of the Kia Forte on the market for us to analyze. However, it’s clear which ones are better than the others. We recommend staying away from the 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2017 models. These may need pricey fixes and could lead to risky situations on the road at the worst time.

The most apparent trouble area for the Kia Forte is in the engine. Unfortunately, this component is the most expensive to fix, right next to the transmission. Faults in the engine can also cause the car to die prematurely. Know which Kia Forte years to avoid having an incredible experience as an owner. The less you pay for repairs, the better.


FEEL SECURE IN THE CAR YOU CHOOSE

You don’t want to buy a car - you want to get the best deal on the car you’re looking for. The CoPilot app will notify you if there’s a similar vehicle in your area at a better price, so you’re always certain you got the best deal available. 


Which Models of the Kia Forte Are Safe to Buy Used?

If you want the safest Kia Forte years to drive, we have the answer. These options come out on top compared to the other options and will keep repair money in your hand. Try one of these years if you are looking for a used Kia Forte as your next car.

According to carcomplaints.com, here are the best years for the Kia Forte:

  • 2011 Kia Forte
  • 2013 Kia Forte
  • 2016 Kia Forte
  • 2018 Kia Forte
  • 2019 Kia Forte
  • 2020 Kia Forte
  • 2021 Kia Forte

These are the best options for the Kia Forte on the market. The newer versions of the vehicle have fared better than the older ones, so opt for a more recently used Kia Forte on the market if you can. They will last longer.

Of course, some faults come with the newer models of the Kia Forte. The 2019 Kia Forte had transmission troubles and engine faults. The 2020 Kia Forte had body and paint problems along with electrical issues. They have their struggles, but none are close to the troubles the Kia Forte years to avoid.

Which Models of the Kia Forte Are Not Safe to Buy Used?

There are several excellent options for the Kia Forte, but there are also some that you should not invest in for your life. These can cost you too much in repairs and become dangerous if you let faults sit long enough.

According to carcomplaints.com, here are the Kia Forte years to avoid:

  • 2010 Kia Forte
  • 2012 Kia Forte
  • 2014 Kia Forte
  • 2015 Kia Forte
  • 2017 Kia Forte

The worst problem with the Kia Forte is with the engine. Unfortunately, this trouble is the most expensive to handle, right along with the transmission. It can be frustrating to handle engine troubles constantly. The 2010 and 2013 models are the worst with the engine.

The 2017 Kia Forte had the most complaints. The biggest troubles included items like engine trouble, light faults, and interior accessory faults. Avoid this car at all costs.

Other faults in the listed models included items like exterior accessories, suspension faults, and brake troubles. If you can, don’t come near these models for the best experience as a car owner.

Common Kia Forte Problems

According to repairpal.com, the Kia Forte has a reliability rating of 4.55.0, which ranks it close to the top compared to other compact cars. Still, there are some troubles you should know to make your time as a Kia Forte owner better.

Here are a few of the most prominent Kia Forte issues:

  • Engine knocking - The engine in the Kia Forte knocks loudly in many models, leading to expensive repairs.
  • Sound issues - Some drivers have reported troubles with the sound system inside the car.
  • Faulty taillight seal - Some car models don’t have a quality seal on the taillight. 

HOW MANY SPARK PLUGS DOES A DIESEL ENGINE HAVE?

The answer to this question isn’t as  simple as you’d expect. Let’s look explore the difference between gas and diesel engines and explore just how many spark plugs a diesel engine actually has.


Problem Counts By Year

One of the best places to look for opinions on a vehicle is in complaints from people who have owned the car. Let’s check out some data for the Kia Forte by year.

According to carcomplaints.com, here are the complaints by year for the Kia Forte:

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How Do You Find a Quality Kia Forte Near You?

It can be intimidating to search for a Kia Forte by yourself. We have the solution for you - the CoPilot car shopping app. The technology searches for dealerships operating in your area, looking for one that will suit your needs. You can look for the ideal vehicle right from the screen of your device.


THE BEST SEDANS WITH HIGH GROUND CLEARANCE

There are plenty of vehicles on the market that let you tower over obstacles without losing the convenience of a compact car. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of our favorite new ​sedans with high ground clearance​.


You’re not missing out on anything with this app - CoPilot takes advantage of the same technology as dealerships. It makes the shopping process much simpler for those who are easily overwhelmed. 

Those interested in newer models can look into CoPilot Compare, the search engine for nearly new cars. If you take advantage of this program, you’ll only see models five years old or newer. They also have low mileage, most with CPO availability. CoPilot Compare will break down the price comparison if your purchase used versus if you invest in a new car.

There’s no need to worry about sponsored ads here - we don’t work with dealerships to get our information. Learn more about how CoPilot works on our About Us page. We can’t wait to help you find the Kia Forte of your dreams.

Frequently Asked Questions: Kia Forte Years to Avoid

Q: Which Kia Forte years should I avoid?

A: Avoid the Kia Forte years 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2017. These models have been reported to have more problems than in other years, which could lead to costly repairs and potentially dangerous situations on the road.

Q: What is the most common problem with the Kia Forte?

A: The most significant issue with the Kia Forte is related to its engine. Engine troubles are expensive to fix and can cause the car to break down prematurely. The 2010 and 2013 models are particularly notorious for their engine problems.

Q: Are there any reliable Kia Forte years?

A: Yes, there are several Kia Forte years that are considered safe to buy used. Based on the information from carcomplaints.com, the best years for the Kia Forte are 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Q: How reliable is the Kia Forte overall?

A: Despite some problematic years, the Kia Forte has a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 on RepairPal.com, which places it near the top of its class among compact cars. By avoiding the aforementioned problematic years and opting for a more reliable model, you can enjoy a positive ownership experience with the Kia Forte.



Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.