2015 Kia Forte
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2015 Kia Forte, concerning engine, and 48 consumer complaints received since 2014.
The component named most often is engine: 196.7 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 126.5 per 1,000 across all 2015 model-year vehicles and against 180.1 per 1,000 for the Kia Forte line as a whole.
That is about the same as the average of 48.4 complaints per model year across the 14 Kia Forte model years on this register; 9 complaints reported a crash and 4 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2018 (15); the most recent in the file is dated 3 May 2019.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 2 investigations naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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.
Filed by Kia Motors America (manufacturer campaign SC200).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2015 Kia Forte (black) against all 2015 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2015 | Forte line | All 2015 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 196.7 | 180.1 | 126.5 |
| Air Bags | 180.3 | 129.8 | 59.9 |
| Unknown or Other | 131.1 | 60.4 | 109.1 |
| Power Train | 82 | 64.4 | 133.3 |
| Steering | 49.2 | 45.3 | 61.2 |
| Service Brakes | 49.2 | 58.4 | 73.4 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 12 | 196.7 | 180.1 | 126.5 |
| Air Bags | 11 | 180.3 | 129.8 | 59.9 |
| Unknown or Other | 8 | 131.1 | 60.4 | 109.1 |
| Power Train | 5 | 82 | 64.4 | 133.3 |
| Steering | 3 | 49.2 | 45.3 | 61.2 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 49.2 | 58.4 | 73.4 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 49.2 | 82.5 | 110.4 |
| Visibility | 2 | 32.8 | 12.1 | 7.1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 32.8 | 55.3 | 44.4 |
| Structure | 2 | 32.8 | 37.2 | 45.9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | 32.8 | 32.2 | 41 |
| Tires | 2 | 32.8 | 41.2 | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 32.8 | 50.3 | 39.2 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 16.4 | 30.2 | 11.8 |
| Wheels | 1 | 16.4 | 42.3 | 21.5 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 1 | 16.4 | 20.1 | 23.7 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | 16.4 | 12.1 | 24.3 |
48 unique complaints, 61 component mentions; 3 injuries and 1 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DP22003 | Defect petition | Loss of Motive Power | engine | 12 Sep 2022 | 12 Dec 2023 | — |
| EA21003 | Engineering analysis | Engine Fires | engine | 22 Dec 2021 | 5 Feb 2024 | 23V877 |
Other Kia Forte model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2010 | 3 | 128 | 3,218,156 |
| 2011 | 3 | 87 | 2,248,019 |
| 2012 | 4 | 101 | 2,666,901 |
| 2013 | 5 | 73 | 2,672,146 |
| 2014 | 3 | 125 | 516,002 |
| 2015 | 1 | 48 | 294,756 |
| 2016 | 1 | 43 | 253,074 |
| 2017 | 3 | 43 | 667,762 |
| 2018 | 3 | 13 | 667,762 |
| 2019 | 2 | 15 | 2,588 |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | 172 |
| 2022 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 30 |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | 5,020 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Kia Forte model years · Kia: 34 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2015 Kia Forte have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign name this model year; the most recent, 20V750000, was reported to NHTSA on 2 Dec 2020 and concerns engine. Across all model years the Kia Forte line has 18 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2015 Kia Forte?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 2 actions naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2015 Kia Forte complain about most?
Engine: 12 of 61 component mentions (196.7 per 1,000). Next is air bags with 11. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.