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Owner report · 2014 model year

2014 Kia Forte

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The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 221 of 445 complaints (50%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (20) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed rose from 211 in 2013 to 445 in 2014.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
445
Recall campaigns
3
EPA fuel cost per year
$2,150–$2,600
Combined MPG
24–29

Complaints by model year

  1. 3072012
  2. 2112013
  3. 4452014
  4. 2622015
  5. 1392016

Where owners report problems

  1. Engine221 (50%)
  2. Airbags & Restraints72 (16%)
  3. Steering64 (14%)
  4. Electrical58 (13%)
  5. Other54 (12%)
  6. Brakes33 (7%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2014: 8 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category20122013201420152016vs. 2014 Midsize Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,100–2,4002,100–2,4002,150–2,6002,100–2,6002,100–2,600
Combined MPG26–3026–3024–2924–3024–30
City / Highway MPG22–27 / 30–3522–27 / 30–3521–26 / 28–3621–26 / 28–3721–26 / 28–37
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)296–342296–348305–370294–370294–370
Complaints filed307211445262139Not compared
Recalls issued45311Not compared
Crash-involved complaints2017321616Not compared
Fire-involved complaints241436206Not compared
Injuries reported1618291113Not compared
Deaths reported31010Not compared
Configurations compared55544

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 2014 Kia Forte have?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2014 Kia Forte?

Engine: 221 of 445 NHTSA complaints (50%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2014 Kia Forte get?

EPA rates it 24–29 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2014 Kia Forte?

EPA estimates $2,150–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (13)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 6-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars24 mpg35 mpg28 mpg$2,200318 g/mi
Configuration 2Manual 6-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars24 mpg34 mpg28 mpg$2,200322 g/mi
Configuration 3Automatic 6-spd41.8LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars26 mpg (high)34 mpg29 mpg (high)$2,150 (low)308 g/mi
Configuration 4Automatic 6-spd41.8LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars24 mpg35 mpg28 mpg$2,200314 g/mi
Configuration 5Manual 6-spd41.8LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars25 mpg36 mpg (high)29 mpg (high)$2,150 (low)305 g/mi (low)
Configuration 6Automatic 6-spd41.6LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg$2,500353 g/mi
Configuration 7Manual 6-spd41.6LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars22 mpg29 mpg24 mpg (low)$2,600 (high)360 g/mi
Configuration 8Automatic 6-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars24 mpg33 mpg28 mpg$2,200318 g/mi
Configuration 9Manual 6-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars24 mpg32 mpg27 mpg$2,300327 g/mi
Configuration 10Automatic 6-spd41.6LFront-Wheel DriveRegularLarge Cars21 mpg (low)29 mpg24 mpg (low)$2,600 (high)370 g/mi (high)
Configuration 11Manual 6-spd41.6LFront-Wheel DriveRegularLarge Cars21 mpg (low)28 mpg (low)24 mpg (low)$2,600 (high)368 g/mi
Show 2 more configurations
The remaining EPA-rated configurations on this page.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 12Automatic 6-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularLarge Cars24 mpg33 mpg27 mpg$2,300324 g/mi
Configuration 13Manual 6-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularLarge Cars24 mpg33 mpg27 mpg$2,300321 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine22132320
Transmission & Drivetrain182110
Fuel System261330
Electrical5831010
Brakes337080
Steering644030
Suspension, Wheels & Tires221010
Airbags & Restraints72230200
Driver Assistance & Speed Control192060
Body, Seats & Latches243320
Visibility & Lighting251100
Other5471130

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)

  • ENGINE

    Campaign 20V750000 · Dec 2, 2020

    Defect
    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
    Consequence
    An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
    Remedy
    Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

    Campaign 17V773000 · Dec 1, 2017

    Defect
    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
    Consequence
    If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy
    Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC158.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    Campaign 15V015000 · Jan 16, 2015

    Defect
    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kia Forte vehicles manufactured December 5, 2012, to April 17, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the cooling fan resistor may overheat and melt.
    Consequence
    If the cooling fan resistor overheats and melts, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
    Remedy
    Kia will notify owners, and for vehicles produced from December 5, 2012 to January 27, 2014, dealers will replace the cooling fan resistor and multi-fuse unit. For vehicles produced from January 28, 2014 to April 17, 2014, dealers will replace the multi-fuse unit only. Owners of vehicles with a 1.8L engine will also have the engine control unit software updated. The recall began on February 20, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC113.