NHTSA has received 28 owner complaints about the 2022 Kia Forte, or 5.8 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.14, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2022 vehicles we track, it ranks #13 of 92 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Kia models its rate is 83% lower; against other Compact cars it is 74% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Limited data: fewer than 30 complaints, so shares and indexes are unstable.
Complaints filed between 2021-12-02 and 2026-10-05. Median delay from incident to filing: 15 days.
28Complaints
5.8Complaints per year on the road
0.14Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls
14.3%Share involving a crash or fire
10Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2021) drew 11.9 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2023) drew 17.2 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2022 model collected 11 complaints, 85% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (21.4% of complaints), followed by Unspecified or other (21.4%) and Electrical (14.3%). 4 reports (14.3%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 25 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the second year (36% of incidents). 10 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.14
vs. other Kia models0.17
vs. other 2022 models0.15
vs. other Compact cars0.26
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (11)0.15
I got into an accident i On December 10th, 2023 my car was totaled out. My steering wheel felt like it was doing its own thing and I crashed straight into a curb and some rocks.
Steering · 2024-10-26 · ODI 11622041 · Crash
Air bags did not deploy in a front/side impact crash. Driver slid on ice and slush, went off the road and hit a tree. The car is currently being evaluated by the service center and insurance company. No sensors or warnings went off.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became inoperable, with an abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound while attempting to make a turn.
Steering · 2026-10-05 · ODI 11768961
We were told it was the fuel pump. This car has put my son in danger twice. The car stalls out while driving, completely shuts down. He is traumatized due to this occurring in during traffic hour.
Electrical · 2026-09-24 · ODI 11766604
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.
Electrical · 2026-08-20 · ODI 11758316
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: Kia 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.
Risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers 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.
