2011 Kia Forte
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 51 of 161 complaints (32%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 232 in 2010 to 161 in 2011.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | vs. 2011 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,100–2,400 | 2,100–2,400 | 2,100–2,400 | 2,100–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–30 | 26–30 | 26–30 | 26–30 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–27 / 31–36 | 22–27 / 30–35 | 22–27 / 30–35 | 22–27 / 30–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 296–342 | 296–342 | 296–342 | 296–348 | |
| Complaints filed | 232 | 161 | 305 | 211 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 21 | 28 | 20 | 17 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 12 | 22 | 14 | |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 35 | 16 | 18 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Forte have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Kia Forte?
Engine: 51 of 161 NHTSA complaints (32%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Kia Forte get?
EPA rates it 26–30 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Kia Forte?
EPA estimates $2,100–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (9)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg | 34 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 317 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg | 35 mpg (high) | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 306 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 27 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | $2,100 (low) | 296 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg | 34 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 317 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg | 32 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 329 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 23 mpg | 30 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 342 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 31 mpg | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 342 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 23 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 342 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 9 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 31 mpg | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 342 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 51 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 16 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 33 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 37 | 20 | 1 | 28 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 12 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 10 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 10 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 14 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · Campaign 23V652000 · Sep 26, 2023
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 18V363000 · Jun 5, 2018
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES · Campaign 16V070000 · Feb 5, 2016
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Forte vehicles manufactured August 27, 2010, to November 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly manufactured, resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
Consequence: If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission cooler hose, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC129.