2015 Kia Forte
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 161 of 259 complaints (62%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 441 in 2014 to 259 in 2015.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | vs. 2015 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,100–2,400 | 2,150–2,600 | 2,100–2,600 | 2,100–2,600 | 1,950–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–30 | 24–29 | 24–30 | 24–30 | 25–32 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–27 / 30–35 | 21–26 / 28–36 | 21–26 / 28–37 | 21–26 / 28–37 | 23–29 / 29–38 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 296–348 | 305–370 | 294–370 | 294–370 | 301–353 | |
| Complaints filed | 211 | 441 | 259 | 137 | 301 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 17 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 23 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 14 | 36 | 20 | 6 | 9 | |
| Injuries reported | 18 | 29 | 11 | 13 | 21 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
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 2015 Kia Forte have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2015 Kia Forte?
Engine: 161 of 259 NHTSA complaints (62%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Kia Forte get?
EPA rates it 24–30 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Kia Forte?
EPA estimates $2,100–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (10)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg | 34 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 314 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg | 33 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 323 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 22 mpg | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 353 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 22 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 360 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg | 36 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 303 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg | 36 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 310 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 25 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 317 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 370 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 9 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 368 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | $2,100 (low) | 294 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 161 | 2 | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 29 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 17 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 26 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 31 | 2 | 3 | 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 (1)
ENGINE · Campaign 20V750000 · Dec 3, 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.