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2022 Kia Forte

Gas
Midsize Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
A
Safety Signal
92 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns1
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA26
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA35 mpg
202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2022 Kia Forte is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Forte FE, is EPA-rated at 35 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 26 complaints, most often about the forward collision avoidance. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Forte FEGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl314135$1,800
ForteGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl293933$1,900
ForteGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo273530$2,100
ForteGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo223126$2,400

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 44562, 44563, 44561, 44560.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2022 Kia Forte is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Steering

SC235
30 vehicles
ProblemKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.RiskLoss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
NHTSA campaign 22V304000reported May 5, 2022Kia Motors America

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
26complaints filed

3 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 7 · 2024: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 6

Most-cited components

Unspecified9
Forward Collision Avoidance4
Engine4
Suspension3
Steering3
Engine And Engine Cooling2

What owners describe

“AC is not blowing cold air even after replacing refrigerant. Mechanic says the compressor has failed, even though the car is only a few years old and has never been involved in any major incidents.”Aug 20, 2026 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“The front driver side door is ‘popping’ open while driving. In addition, the seatbelt randomly releases while driving.”Mar 27, 2026 · Seat Belts · NHTSA owner report
“The OEM projector halogen headlights on the 2022 Kia Forte provide insufficient illumination for safe nighttime operation. On unlit or poorly lit roads, the low-beam distance is inadequate to identify road hazards, pedestrians, or signage in time to react at standard posted speeds (45+ mph). This creates a "dead zone" …”Jan 5, 2026 · Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning.

Other Forte model years

A

2024 Kia Forte

0 recalls · 24 complaints

D

2023 Kia Forte

3 recalls · 61 complaints

B

2021 Kia Forte

2 recalls · 67 complaints

A

2020 Kia Forte

0 recalls · 74 complaints

B

2019 Kia Forte

2 recalls · 147 complaints

C

2018 Kia Forte

3 recalls · 136 complaints

C

2017 Kia Forte

3 recalls · 301 complaints

A

2016 Kia Forte

1 recalls · 137 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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