2018 Kia Forte Recalls
TL;DR
3 recalls on the 2018 Kia Forte. Recall repairs are always free. Enter your VIN at NHTSA or your dealer to confirm which apply.
Recalls for the 2018 Kia Forte
AIR BAGS
NHTSA campaign 22V031000 · 2022-25-01
Issue: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
NHTSA campaign 21V260000 · 2021-13-04
Issue: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
NHTSA campaign 21V622000 · 2021-09-08
Issue: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
What to do about a recall
- Recall repairs are free — the manufacturer pays, regardless of car age.
- Confirm which recalls apply to your exact car by entering your 17-digit VIN.
- Contact any franchised dealer for that brand to schedule the free repair.
Check engine light on your 2018 Kia Forte?
A recall is a known defect the manufacturer fixes for free. A check-engine light is different — it's a stored trouble code you can read yourself. Start here:
Frequently asked questions
Are Kia Forte recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers, no matter how old the vehicle is.
How do I check recalls for my exact Forte?
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup or any Kia dealer. The VIN tells you precisely which campaigns affect your car.
Is it safe to drive a Forte with an open recall?
It depends on the defect. Read the "Risk" line for each recall above — some are minor, others advise reduced use until repaired. When in doubt, contact a dealer.