2020 Kia Forte engine problems
17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2020 Kia Forte — 23% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Engine burning excessive oil over a quart in 1000 miles. Catalytic converter code P0420 because of the excessive oil burning. Oil was always changed within the specified dealer milage range.”
filed Aug 23, 2026
“I experienced a check engine light and had the vehicle diagnosed with codes P0017 and P0014. The vehicle was taken to a Kia dealership, where the technician found that the exhaust camshaft was free-spinning without the phaser and that the pin connecting the two had sheared. The dealership replaced…”
filed Aug 20, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar…
TSB_ENG222_R8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 3, 2025
Engine problems in other Forte years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Forte | 7 | 29% |
| 2023 Forte | 9 | 15% |
| 2022 Forte | 4 | 15% |
| 2021 Forte | 22 | 33% |
| 2019 Forte | 36 | 24% |
| 2018 Forte | 57 | 42% |
| 2017 Forte | 144 | 48% |
| 2016 Forte | 66 | 49% |
| 2015 Forte | 157 | 61% |
| 2014 Forte | 214 | 49% |
| 2013 Forte | 107 | 55% |
| 2012 Forte | 160 | 55% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2020 Kia Forte
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.