EngineHigh
GDI engine oil consumption / rare knock.
- Typically appears
- 70,000+ miles
- What to inspect
- Check oil level and listen for knock.
- Typical repair
- Oil leak trace & seal / gasket · £180–£700
Is the 2014–2018 Kia Forte reliable?
Scored from 8 documented faults · reviewed by the VehicleFaults Research Team
Quick answer
6.0/ 10
MixedOn our documented-fault scoring the Kia Forte rates 6.0 out of 10 · mixed. We hold 8 known faults for it and 1 are rated high severity, so the risk is real but contained. The weak points cluster around engine, transmission and hvac. A well-serviced example with evidence for the big-ticket items is usually a safe buy; the score describes the model, not the specific car in front of you.
Verdict · Negotiate · budget for the known faults
What the score is built from
- Critical
- 0
- High
- 1
- Medium
- 4
- Low
- 3
Weak points cluster around engine, transmission, hvac, body.
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Check this carThe faults that decide it
TransmissionMedium
Automatic / dual-clutch shift quality.
- Typically appears
- Any
- What to inspect
- Feel for hesitant or harsh shifts.
- Typical repair
- DCT clutch pack / mechatronic work · £900–£3,200
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.
- Typical repair
- EGR valve / cooler replacement · £300–£900
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.
- Typical repair
- Brakes (discs, pads, caliper) · £200–£800
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.
- Typical repair
- Suspension refresh (per axle) · £250–£1,100
Costs are indicative UK independent-garage bands for budgeting and negotiation · never a quote.
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