Kia · Forte · 2020
2020 Kia Forte
0
Recalls
65
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2020 Kia Forte has no recalls and 65 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: unknown or other (22 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2020 Kia Forte page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is unknown or other with 22 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2020 Kia Forte currently shows no active NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 65 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 4/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are unknown or other (22), power train (11), engine (4).
- Vehicle
- 2020 Kia Forte
- Recalls
- 0
- Complaints
- 65
- Safety Rating
- 4/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.7% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: No
Owner Complaints
65 totalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 21, 2026
My concern is over Campaign CS2305 (Software Upgrade): This specific campaign generally applies to 2014–2021 model year Fortes. For models not equipped with a chipped key, this update does nothing to address the theft issues. It simply mashed the horn go off for 1 minute, oppo...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FIREMar 21, 2026
While driving a 2020 Kia Forte on the expressway at normal speed, the vehicle was operating normally with no prior warning lights or known issues. Suddenly, the brakes began to feel weak, as if they were failing. Immediately after, a popping sound was heard from the vehicle, foll...
Preview excerpt
POWER TRAIN
Mar 19, 2026
I am reporting a transmission failure in my 2020 Kia Forte with approximately 54,000 miles. The vehicle experienced a sudden and complete transmission failure on March 19, 2026, on the highway from Cleveland to Cincinnati. after being owned for less than seven months. The vehic...
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TIRES
Mar 7, 2026
Two sets of Kumho Solus TA 31's (195/65 R15 91T) experienced rapid tread wear issues. The problem and safety issue has been confirmed by Fred Beans Kia of Mechanicsburg, PA, but with hassles to do so. I believe this matter actually effects consumers nationwide, which leads to ...
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AIR BAGS
CRASH1 injuryFeb 7, 2026
I was driving a vehicle two cars ahead did and illegal turn the car behind it stopped the truck behind them stopped I stopped behind the truck the car behind me did not stop and slammed me into the back of the truck in my airbags did not deploy
AIR BAGS
CRASH1 injuryJan 22, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on a bend in the highway, a deer jumped over the barrier and landed on the top of the contact's front windshield. The contact stated that she was knocked unconscious due to the impact. The driver’s an...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 27, 2025
Trunk open alone. Also trunk open when driver door open.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE
Sep 12, 2025
The lane assist malfunction and periodically jerks. Very unsafe I no longer use this feature . To keep control of the vehicle. I never got it inspected. As the lane assist was in use and it would jerk it would alert me of a lane departure . I mention this to include every known p...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 1, 2025
Equipment premature failure. Dashboard screen bubbling and separation. Beyond 36 months warranty but early failure 2020 vehicle with 28,000 miles
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Aug 11, 2025
I own a 2020 Kia Forte LXS with approximately 136,000 miles. The check engine light came on with code P0420 (“catalyst system efficiency below threshold”), and an Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers location confirmed the catalytic converter is failing. The back pressure was meas...
Preview excerpt
Showing 10 recent complaints from 65 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2020 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Kia Forte Years
2021 Kia ForteCompare this year against 2020 for complaint and recall shifts.2r67c2019 Kia ForteCompare this year against 2020 for complaint and recall shifts.2r140c2022 Kia ForteCompare this year against 2020 for complaint and recall shifts.1r22c2018 Kia ForteCompare this year against 2020 for complaint and recall shifts.3r133c2023 Kia ForteCompare this year against 2020 for complaint and recall shifts.3r54c2017 Kia ForteCompare this year against 2020 for complaint and recall shifts.3r296c
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Forte have?
The 2020 Kia Forte has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2020 Kia Forte?
NHTSA has received 65 owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Kia Forte.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2020 Kia Forte?
The 2020 Kia Forte received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Forte?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2020 Kia Forte are unknown or other (22 reports), power train (11 reports), engine (4 reports).
Does the 2020 Kia Forte have any recalls?
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2020 Kia Forte. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.