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2018 Kia Forte problems

A 2018 Kia Forte is now 8 years old, so an average example has covered around 108,000 miles. The final model year of the generation · generally the most sorted build, so mileage, servicing and condition matter more than build-year faults. Check the state safety inspection and service history alongside the documented faults below, which are sorted by whether a 2018 car has usually reached the mileage where they appear.

Compiled & reviewed by the VehicleFaults Research Team

Quick answer

The 2018 Kia Forte is 8 years old, so an average example has covered roughly 108,000 miles. At that mileage 5 of the documented faults are already due, so check those first.

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Faults a 2018 example has usually reached

Documented onset mileage is at or below the ~108k miles an average 2018 car has covered.

EngineHigh

GDI engine oil consumption / rare knock.

Typically appears
70,000+ miles
What to inspect
Check oil level and listen for knock.
HVACLow

AC performance drop.

Typically appears
80,000+ miles
What to inspect
Confirm cold AC output.
SteeringMedium

Clunking or clicking noise when turning the steering wheel side to side at a standstill due to a degraded motor driven power steering (MDPS) flexible coupler.

Typically appears
50,000-80,000 miles
What to inspect
With the engine running, rapidly rock the steering wheel left and right by a few degrees. Listen for a distinct metallic or plastic clunk emanating from the steering column.
ElectricalMedium

Brake lights remain illuminated when the pedal is released, or the push-button start fails to engage, caused by a faulty stop lamp switch.

Typically appears
40,000-70,000 miles
What to inspect
Depress and release the brake pedal several times while observing the rear lights in a reflection. Check if the engine starts smoothly on the first press of the start button.
Engine ElectricalMedium

Rough idle, hesitation under load, or intermittent misfire triggering the Engine Management Light (EML) due to premature ignition coil pack failure.

Typically appears
60,000-100,000 miles
What to inspect
Start the engine from cold, leave it in park or neutral, and observe the rev counter for hunting. Blip the throttle to check for hesitation, stumbling, or excessive vibration.

Faults that appear at any mileage

Age, electronics and build-related issues that are not mileage-driven.

TransmissionMedium

Automatic / dual-clutch shift quality.

Typically appears
Any
What to inspect
Feel for hesitant or harsh shifts.
BodyLow

Paint chipping and interior rattles.

Typically appears
Age-related
What to inspect
Inspect paint and listen for rattles.
LightingLow

Flickering, dimming, or complete failure of the LED daytime running lights (DRLs) within the main headlamp cluster.

Typically appears
4-6 years
What to inspect
Turn the ignition on without activating the main dipped beams. Walk to the front of the vehicle and visually inspect both LED DRL strips for flickering or dead diodes.

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Kia Forte · frequently asked questions

Is the Forte reliable?

Decent value; monitor the GDI engine's oil use and check service history.

Does the Forte burn oil?

Some GDI engines consume oil; check the level between services.

Is the Forte cheap to run?

Yes — economical and inexpensive to maintain if the engine is healthy.

Does the 2014-2018 Kia Forte use a timing belt or a timing chain?

All petrol engines fitted to this generation of the Forte, including the 1.8-litre, 2.0-litre Nu, and 1.6-litre turbocharged units, utilise a timing chain rather than a rubber belt. The chain is designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle, provided previous owners adhered to strict oil change intervals to prevent tensioner wear.

What are the most frequent MOT failures for this generation of Forte?

The most common MOT failures relate to worn suspension components, specifically front anti-roll bar drop links and track rod ends. Additionally, degraded wiper blades, misaligned headlamps, and binding rear brake calipers frequently result in advisories or outright failures. A quick forecourt check of the suspension bushes is highly recommended before retail.

Are there known issues with the touchscreen infotainment system?

Yes, the factory touchscreen units can suffer from digitiser failure, leading to unresponsive areas on the display or phantom inputs. Software glitches causing Bluetooth connectivity dropouts are also well-documented. Dealers should test all screen quadrants and ensure the reverse camera feed engages promptly without flickering when selecting reverse gear.

Other Forte model years

201720152014

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