The Kia Forte may survive for many years and miles with routine oil changes and manufacturer maintenance. Currently, there are Forte models with more than 100,000 and even over 200,000 miles on them on the road! Take good care of your Kia vehicle to reap the benefits.
Drivers in Cleveland, Lorain, and Sheffield Lake, Ohio, may learn more about the Forte’s dependability by visiting Montrose Kia. Let’s get into the specifics now! Set up a test drive right away.
In This Article...
How far can a Kia Forte go before breaking down?
A well-maintained and cautiously driven Kia Forte small vehicle may travel between 250,000-300,000 miles before needing repairs. It can last 16 to 20 years if you travel 15,000 miles per year. It offers outstanding dependability ratings and a guarantee that lasts for 10 years and 100,000 miles.
Are Kia Forte automobiles dependable?
With a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, the Kia Forte is ranked sixth among 36 compact automobiles. Its great ownership costs are reflected in the $451 average yearly repair cost. The Forte is one of the more dependable automobiles on the road since repair needs are both more severe and less frequent than with other vehicles.
Cost
Compared to an average of $526 for compact vehicles and $652 for all vehicle types, the total yearly cost of repairs and maintenance for a Kia Forte is $451.
the typical annual sum for unplanned maintenance and repairs for all model years of a car. A vehicle’s greater average cost alone does not imply that it is less dependable. For instance, your car’s parts and labor may be pricey, especially if it’s a European luxury model, but if there are few serious problems and frequent service visits on average each year, that’s a sign of a dependable vehicle.
The typical annual frequency at which a vehicle is taken in for unplanned maintenance and repairs. This metric is produced by monitoring millions of distinctive automobiles over a number of years to ascertain the typical yearly visits for each make and model. Controls were included to prevent small, routine shop visits, such those for oil changes.
The severity element of dependability calculates the likelihood that a repair will cause a significant problem. The cost of a repair is assessed to be excessively expensive given the unscheduled nature of the repair if it is three times the average annual repair cost for all models. Due to their more expensive labor and component expenses, premium and luxury brands have a higher barrier.
Frequency
Compared to the average of 0.3 for compact cars and 0.4 for all vehicle models, Kia Forte owners bring their cars in for unplanned repairs 0.2 times less frequently each year.
Key Points
- Forte owners all over the internet claim to reach 150,000 to 200,000 miles on little more than routine maintenance. The Forte is positioned directly above the Rio in the Kia lineup.
- A Kia Forte could last between 13 and 17 years if driven an average of 12,000 kilometers per year before needing mechanical maintenance.
- Should the motor malfunction, which costs about $4,000, the unit might not be worth replacing given that a 2012 Kia Forte’s initial Blue Book value is close to $5,400.
- Before 100,000 miles, Forte engines from 2012 to 2015 are likely to fail, costing upwards of $5,000 to replace. The new CVT used in 2019 vehicles has a failure rate of just 10,000 miles.
- The most dependable Kia Fortes are those from 2016 to 2018, and they have the best probability of traveling at least 150,000 kilometers. Models released in 2020 and after still demand extra travel time.
Is a used Kia Forte a dependable vehicle?
A Kia Forte can go between 150,000 and 200,000 miles with the right maintenance, according to several reliable car sources, including the Vehicle History website. The Forte will last you 1013 years before substantial repairs are required if you drive over 14,250 miles annually, which is the typical for American drivers. It’s important to note that the Forte has a 10-year/100,000-mile guarantee and a stellar J. D. Power dependability rating of 87 out of 100.
Having careful and safe driving habits will significantly extend the life of your Forte. If you’re looking to purchase a used Kia Forte, make sure to look into the vehicle’s service history and inquire as to whether the previous owners adhered to the recommended maintenance schedule, which is essential to achieving higher mileage without experiencing any issues.
Among the crucial services are:
- Change the engine oil at 7,500 miles, rotate the tires, and check the air intake and vacuum hoses.
- Replace your temperature control air filter at 15,000 miles, and check your brake system, steering gearbox, and air conditioning refrigerant.
- Serious engine issues plague both new and used Kia Fortes, mostly as a result of poor design.
- Fortes with Theta II engines typically experience the worst engine issues. Before 100,000 miles, total engine failures and knocks are known to happen.
- The most problematic Forte is the 2014 model, as electronics problems raise the risk of an engine fire.
- All Kia Fortes from 2014 to 2018 have airbag problems. The airbags entirely deactivate in the worst-case scenario 2017 and 2018 models.
- The fewest issues occur in the most current models, although oil pump failures do occur in more recent models, and the recall doesn’t fully address the problem.
- The Kia Forte is a reasonably priced compact car with a lot of amenities that add value and a high level of dependability over the majority of its model years.
- 2014 is the Kia Forte’s worst year. With over 300 consumer complaints concerning turning signals that don’t work, airbags that don’t activate during collisions, and brake and taillight bulbs that keep blowing out.
- The 2014 Forte model is the subject of one investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into engine fires that can occur in a variety of non-crash-related situations.
- From 2011 to 2014, the Forte was the subject of seven investigations and several complaints concerning airbags that failed to deploy during collisions.
- The 2016 Kia Forte is the best model; for the first time in five years, there was just one inquiry and one recall due to a potential trunk emergency release issue. Additionally, the 2016 model had 74 complaints as opposed to 159 the year before.
- The Forte has excellent dependability ratings and an anticipated lifespan of well over 250,000 kilometers.
Are Kia Forte repairs expensive?
Over the course of its first ten years of use, a KIA Forte will require roughly $5,805 in maintenance and repairs.
This is $1,291 less than the industry average for popular sedan models. Additionally, there is a 17.53 percent probability that a Forte will need a significant repair at that time. Compared to comparable automobiles in its sector, this is 3.97 percent better. The following graph shows how these expenses and the likelihood of repairs will rise over time.
A Kia won’t last as long as a Honda, right?
Maintaining the factory-recommended maintenance plan and taking care of problems as soon as they appear are the best ways to maintain your Kia in good working order. Any material or workmanship flaws should be covered by the Kia guarantee that comes with new and certified pre-owned cars, but these protections ultimately run out.
If your car needs repairs after the first warranty period has passed, an extended warranty might assist cover the cost of such unforeseen expenses. Kia has an extended warranty that may be purchased directly from the company, but you can also acquire coverage from third parties.
Independent extended warranty providers frequently provide more options for coverage, older vehicle coverage, a larger network of repair facilities, and more comprehensive benefits. Endurance and CarShield are two companies that we suggest.
Endurance: Best Coverage
Up to 8 years or 200,000+ miles of additional warranty coverage are possible with Endurance. Additionally, Endurance offers some of the market’s most comprehensive contracts. There are five different coverage options available, ranging from straightforward powertrain coverage to complete bumper-to-bumper warranty protection.
CarShield: Best Value
Additionally, CarShield provides extended warranty protection for cars with up to 300,000 miles on the odometer, potentially doubling the Kia factory warranty’s scope of coverage. CarShield offers a solid reputation in the market, a wide range of coverage options, and some of the most affordable contracts available.
For more information, see our comprehensive CarShield review. To get a free, no-risk CarShield quote, click the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kia is a dependable automaker. Overall, Kia receives a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing it third overall (out of 32 brands).
Both Kia and Toyota are well-known for their dependability, and both have a 4.0 out of 5.0 RepairPal reliability rating. Kias may be marginally more reliable, while RepairPal puts Toyota seventh overall and Kia third.
Kias require an average of 0.2 unforeseen repair shop visits year, according to RepairPal. This is half of the 0.4 visits per year average for all brands. You have a one in five risk of needing an unforeseen repair each year, according to this statistic.
Previously, the Kia name was associated with low-cost, subpar vehicles. This is partly because the brand’s automobiles had a lot of issues when it first appeared in the United States. Since then, Kia has made fleet improvements and has earned a reputation for having great reliability.
Yes, Kias have a reputation for lasting just as long as other trustworthy cars like Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota. Although the powertrain is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty for up to 100,000 miles, many owners keep their Kias for much longer.
Are Kia vehicles trustworthy?
To obtain their overall reliability ratings, the RepairPal team considers a number of different variables. Simply put, your out-of-pocket ownership expenditures will be cheaper the more dependable your car is. The cost, frequency, and severity of repairs are some of these variables. In order to calculate an individual brand’s total RepairPal reliability rating, these categories are averaged.
In the RepairPal reliability rankings, Kia came in at number three, including second place when only non-luxury brands were included. The Kia Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, placing it third among all car brands out of 32. This evaluation is based on the average of 345 different models.
“Kia had three well-liked models, including the Soul, Rio, and Forte, in the top 30 with Excellent ratings. The Optima and Sorento, two of its most well-liked cars, kept their Excellent rankings within the top 100.
Better: Elantra or Forte?
Although the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte are known for being affordable small sedans, they have more to offer than simply affordability. The 2022 Hyundai Elantra has recently undergone a facelift and sports striking looks and new engines. With the aid of an upgrade for this model year, the 2022 Kia Forte perseveres and gains a sharp new appearance and improved driver assistance technologies. Which should you purchase, then? Learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of each car by continuing to read.
Hyundai Elantra Advantage: Fuel Economy
The 2022 Elantra has good fuel efficiency. With the original 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, it achieves 31-33/41-43 mpg in the city and highway, while the improved 1.6-liter turbo-four achieves 25-28/34-36 mpg. The Elantra Hybrid, which was introduced for 2021, would likely be your choice if you tend to be a little bit of a fuel miser. Depending on the trim, this car gets 49-53/52-56 mpg on the city/highway.
The Kia Forte’s numbers are significantly lower. Depending on the model, the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine achieves 29-31/39-41 mpg. If you choose the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, your mileage will increase to 22-27/31-35 mpg. There isn’t a hybrid option offered.
Hyundai Elantra Advantage: Technology
The interior of the Forte is stylish and practical, and has recently undergone improvement. It has new optional SynTex faux leather seats, standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen. A 10.3-inch touchscreen is an optional feature on both variants. However, the Elantra’s interior appears fresher and more modern. Hyundai also offers a small sedan with a digital key function that enables Android smartphones or NFC key cards to be used to unlock the car.
Hyundai Elantra Advantage: CVT Tuning
We have criticized the Forte’s optional CVT transmission in previous evaluations. The CVT “sucks the vitality out of the powerplant,” to put it frankly. Thankfully, the CVT in the Elantra avoids the same fate. As we highlighted in our First Drive review, it is quiet and responsive.
Kia Forte Advantage: Starting Price
Choose the Forte over the Elantra if you want a compact sedan at the lowest feasible price. The base Kia is less expensive than the base Elantra, which costs $20,875, starting at little over $20,085. When fitted with a dual-clutch automatic transmission, the sporty Forte GT is also significantly less expensive than the Elantra equivalent. In comparison to the Elantra N Line, which costs $26,375, prices for the 201-hp Forte GT start at $24,485.
Hyundai Elantra: Manual Transmission Availability
Both the Kia Forte GT and the Hyundai Elantra N Line grades come with a six-speed manual transmission. Except for when both vehicles are in their sporty 201-hp configurations, the Forte is more cheap than the Elantra in practically every trim level. Compared to the somewhat more cheap six-speed Elantra N Line, which costs $25,275, the Forte GT is more expensive with a manual transmission ($25,485). Due to the regular six-speed gearbox’s discontinuation after the 2021 model year, buyers who choose the base Forte FE trim are no longer able to manually shift the vehicle’s gears.
Kia Forte Advantage: Cargo Space
With 15.3 feet of cubic space as opposed to 14.2 feet for the Elantra, the Forte provides a little bit more cargo area. The Elantra, though, has the edge when it comes to back legroom, another important factor. In comparison to the Forte’s 35.7 inches, the rear passengers have 38.0 inches to spread out.
The Verdict
The smoother ride and more contemporary interior offered by the Hyundai Elantra, in our opinion, will appeal to the majority of purchasers. However, the Forte is a good option if you’re seeking for a new car that’s reasonably priced and equipped with a wide range of safety technology.