Kia Forte YD Sedan
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
Engine Overview
The Kia Forte YD Sedan is available with one engine variant at 175 hp.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Recall NHTSA 21V-260 (SC210): Oil pump — engine damage NHTSA recall 21V-260 / SC210 covers Forte YD 2017–2018 with the 2.0L Nu MPI engine: foreign particles can jam the oil pump, causing oil pump failure and severe engine damage. Dealers inspect and replace affected parts at no charge. Symptoms: Rough running engine, oil pressure warning light, engine stall while driving, metallic knocking. | Low | |
| Recall NHTSA 22V-031: Airbag control unit — deployment failure NHTSA recall 22V-031 covers Forte YD 2017–2018: the ACU cover can contact a memory chip on the circuit board and damage the electrical circuit, preventing airbags from deploying in a crash. Dealers inspect and replace the ACU at no charge. Symptoms: Airbag warning light illuminated, airbags may not deploy in a crash. | Low | |
| Kia Boys theft: missing engine immobilizer Forte YD 2014–2021 models without UVO connectivity lack an electronic engine immobilizer. During the TikTok-driven 'Kia Boys' theft wave in the US, the car could be stolen in under 90 seconds. Kia offers a free anti-theft software update; adding a steering wheel club lock is also advisable. Symptoms: Vehicle can be started without the correct key; significantly elevated theft risk in US cities. | Low | |
| Engine knock and catastrophic failure (Nu engine) Forte YD 2014–2016 with Nu engines show an above-average rate of sudden engine failure without warning. CarComplaints documents 628 complaints for the 2014 model year, with over 180 engine-related, averaging $5,000–$6,000 in repair costs. Root causes: piston damage, oil sludge, and connecting rod bearings. Symptoms: Metallic knock or clatter, sudden power loss, engine fails to restart, in severe cases total engine seizure. from 110,000 km | High | |
| Recall NHTSA 21V-622 (SC216): Trunk latch — entrapment risk NHTSA recall 21V-622 / SC216 covers Forte YD 2016–2018: the trunk latch can become damaged and prevent opening from the inside, creating an entrapment risk. Dealers replace the trunk latch assembly at no charge. Symptoms: Trunk cannot be opened from the inside; no external sign of failure. | Low |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee