Are there open safety recalls?
None
No open recalls, but there’s an open government investigation — check nhtsa.gov.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2020 Kia Forte has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 71 owner complaints, and gets about 35 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2020 Kia Forte
- Engine 4-cyl 2L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Midsize Cars
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
6 injuries reported
6 of 71 reports (~8%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
4 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2020.
- 20183recalls
- 20192recalls
- 2020 · this car0recalls
- 20212recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 2, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 4 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 4 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
Tested as: 2020 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD
Open safety recalls
A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
No open safety recalls on file for this year and model.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 2, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2020.
- 2018134reports
- 2019146reports
- 2020 · this car71reports
- 202167reports
71 owner reports on file
9 crash mentions 2 fire mentions 6 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 71 total reports.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 22 of 71
While driving a 2020 Kia Forte on the expressway at normal speed, the vehicle was operating normally with no prior warning lights or known issues. Suddenly, the brakes began to feel weak, as if they were failing. Immediately after, a poppin
- POWER TRAIN 15 of 71
The contact leased a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle began to chug. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed as needing a transmission replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The co
- ENGINE 10 of 71
2020 Kia Forte, 2.0L 14F engine, 109,000 miles: On July 3.2026 "check engine" light came on. Drove to local auto parts store to have code downloaded, P0017 cam position sensor. Car was performing fine, except for engine light. Drove car t
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8 of 71
The crankshaft position sensor keeps going bad and it make the forward collision trigger and it loses power and the dash stops working and causes the car to shut off
- AIR BAGS 4 of 71
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on a bend in the highway, a deer jumped over the barrier and landed on the top of the contact's front windshield. The contact stated that she was knocked uncons
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 3 of 71
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure had occurred while the contact was driving on a major highway. The vehi
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 2, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2020.
- 201832mpg
- 201934mpg
- 2020 · this car35mpg
- 202130mpg
$1,750
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 31 mpg
Highway driving 41 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 35 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to save about $2,250 on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 96 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 15 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 2, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (variable gear ratios)
- Body
- Midsize Cars
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 2, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
-
Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
-
Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2020 Kia Forte listings
Quick answers
Are there any recalls on the 2020 Kia Forte? +
No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2020 Kia Forte. Recalls can be issued at any time, so confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Kia Forte get? +
The EPA rates the 2020 Kia Forte at 35 mpg combined (31 city / 41 highway), about $1,750 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2020 Kia Forte? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2020 Kia Forte 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2020 Kia Forte? +
Owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA for the 2020 Kia Forte, including 9 involving a crash. The most-reported area is unknown or other.
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