Over the years, Kia has been a long-underrated Asian brand when it comes to reliability and safety, compared to the likes of Honda and Toyota. In 2016, according to the Initial Quality Survey (IQS), Kia models had 83 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), making it the most reliable brand on the market, while the 2025 IQS says Kia models have 181 PP100. Or, some way less than the market average of 192 PP100.
There is a but, though, and millions of Kia models from 2010 to 2016 are subject to safety recalls due to fire risks. However, over the last 10 years, Kia has also turned out a good number of vehicles that have been subject to very few NHTSA safety recalls compared to some go-to reliable brands, making them very reliable, safe, and trusty vehicles to own. When we say ‘very few’, we mean either no recalls or just the one. Below are the 10 Kia models from the last 10 years with the fewest NHTSA recalls and the highest safety ratings.
The models in this list have been extensively researched to ensure the most accurate information possible as of the time of publishing. Models are listed in ascending order from the most to the least recalls.
2019 Kia Cadenza
Total NHTSA Recalls: 1 | NHTSA Safety Rating: N/A
The 2019 Kia Cadenza was originally available with a starting price of just under $35,000; today, you can pick one up for as little as $14,350. The Cadenza offers a lot of practical luxury at an affordable price. You get a 3.3-liter V6 good for 290 horsepower under the hood; the interior is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone connectivity; 18-inch wheels sit on all four corners as standard, and according to FuelEconomy.gov, you can muster 23 combined mpg in one.
We are not surprised that owners have rated the 2019 Cadenza 4.9 out of 5 overall on Kelley Blue Book (KBB). This overall score includes a score of 4.8 out of 5 for value, reliability, and performance, a score of 4.9 out of 5 for comfort and quality, and a score of 5 out of 5 for styling.
2019 Kia Cadenza Reliability
According to RepairPal, the Kia Cadenza is also an exceptionally reliable sedan to own, with a reliability rating of 4 out of 5. This ranks it 4th out of the 12 full-size cars they monitor. So, for under $15,000 for the base trim, it’s pretty good going.
There has just been one NHTSA safety recall for 2019 Cadenza models that don’t boast smart cruise control, and concerns a potential fire risk caused by a short-circuiting Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU). If you are looking at buying a used Kia Cadenza, it is a very safe bet, but you must make sure that the HECU has been inspected and the problem with it rectified.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $491 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,411 (CarEdge)
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2018 Kia Rio
Total NHTSA Recalls: 1 | NHTSA Safety Rating: 4/5
Boasting average used prices ranging from $8,800 to $10,100, the 2018 Kia Rio has depreciated into a very affordable and versatile subcompact sedan. There is just one engine option: a 1.6-liter inline-four that is plenty powerful for everyday driving, with 130 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque available. While it may seem a little underpowered, the Rio’s 32 mpg combined may make up for it.
Interestingly, the 2018 Kia Rio has only been given an overall rating of 3.8 out of 5 on KBB. This includes ratings of 3.7 out of 5 for quality, 3.8 out of 5 for performance, 3.9 out of 5 for comfort and reliability, 4 out of 5 for value, and 4.1 out of 5 for styling. While it is nowhere near the lowest ratings we have seen, it is very mediocre for a Kia model.
2018 Kia Rio Reliability
What may make things up for the Kia Rio is its ratings elsewhere. According to data on RepairPal, a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 makes it the 6th most reliable subcompact sedan they monitor, while a 7.8 out of 10 iSeeCars reliability rating also shines it in a good light. Also, from owner reviews and ratings on J.D. Power, the 2018 Kia Rio gets 86 out of 100 overall.
Despite the conflicting ratings, the 2018 Kia Rio is one of the Kia models with the fewest NHTSA safety recalls; there is just the one. The NHTSA safety recall for the 2018 Kia Rio is because of a potentially failing emergency trunk release, which could cause someone to get trapped in the trunk.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $434 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,321 (all Kia models)
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2016 Kia Forte
Total NHTSA Recalls: 1 | NHTSA Safety Rating: 5/5
Boasting a five-star NHTSA safety rating and a cheap average used price ranging from $7,250 to $7,600, the 2016 Kia Forte is a very appealing choice if you are looking for a dependable, safe, and useful used sedan. The ’16 Kia Forte lineup comes equipped with three engine options: a 148-horsepower inline-four for the Forte LX, a 173-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-four for the Forte EX models, and a 201-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo-four under the hood of the sportier Forte SX models.
Both the LX and Forte5 SX are impressively affordable sedans, either because of frugal low-horsepower driving (the LX can achieve up to 30 combined mpg when equipped with an auto transmission) or because of extra power and a large trunk. The Forte5 SX boasts a very roomy 23 cubic feet of storage space.
2016 Kia Forte Reliability
What also makes the Kia Forte a very appealing sedan is its reliability rating. RepairPal gives the whole model line a 4 out of 5 reliability rating, while iSeeCars says that the 2016 Forte is very dependable, with a rating of 7.6 out of 10.
There is just one NHTSA recall for the 2016 Kia Forte. The Forte was recalled as part of the 21V622000 NHTSA campaign concerning a defective trunk emergency release latch, which could result in someone getting trapped and injured.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $451 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,216 (CarEdge)
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2017 Kia Soul
Total NHTSA Recalls: 1 | NHTSA Safety Rating: 5/5
As the funky and versatile little crossover that is sorely missed on the U.S. market today, the Kia Soul is a lot of boxy crossover in a conveniently-sized package. 2025 marked the end of the line for the Kia Soul, but fortunately, we still have very reliable and safe examples on the used market, like the 17-plate model.
The 2017 Kia Soul is available with a choice of three gas engines and as an EV. We are looking at the gas-engine models. The three engine choices are a 130-horsepower inline-four under the hood of the base trim, a 161-horsepower inline-four in the Soul Plus, and, if you are looking for a bit of turbo fun, a 201-horsepower turbo-four under the hood of the Soul Exclaim. Despite only measuring 169 inches by 70.9 inches, the Soul makes the most of its limited space and offers up to 61.3 cubic feet of storage space with the seats folded away.
2017 Kia Soul Reliability
Outside of being a handy little crossover to own, the Kia Soul is also rated highly by owners for reliability. On KBB, owners have given it a reliability score of 4.4 out of 5, while a J.D. Power reliability score of 86 out of 100 is quite difficult to argue with.
There is high praise for the Soul across the board, and though it has been given a 5-star safety rating by the NHTSA, there is one recall you should take note of. The 2017 Kia Soul was recalled because the airbags may not deploy in a crash. It is very important to check with whoever you are buying from that this recall has been addressed.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $437 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,396 (CarEdge)
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2020 Kia Sedona
Total NHTSA Recalls: 1 | NHTSA Safety Rating: 5/5
While the minivan is seldom seen in the U.S.A. today, we do have a few examples left, but it is not like it was before. Models like the 2020 Kia Sedona are still available on the used market, and a more affordable way of shipping large families around compared to some of the new iterations. Today, you can pick up a 2020 Sedona for between $13,000 and $21,000, and alongside high owner praise in the shape of a 4.2 out of 5 overall KBB rating, you also get oodles of space and a meaty V6 under the hood.
The 2020 Kia Sedona boasts 40.1 inches of front legroom, 41.1 inches of second-row legroom, 34.8 inches of third-row legroom, and a massive 142 cubic feet of storage space behind the front row. The V6 under the hood shifts out 276 horsepower, and considering that at the heaviest end, the Sedona tips the scales at 4,517 pounds, it can still achieve around 21 combined mpg.
2020 Kia Sedona Reliability
RepairPal rates the Kia Sedona very highly for reliability, with a rating of 4 out of 5; iSeeCars says that the Sedona minivan is reliable, with a rating of 7.4 out of 10, and the NHTSA gives it a 5-star safety rating. This includes ratings of 5 out of 5 stars for front and side crash worthiness, and a 4 out of 5-star rating for rollover resistance.
The only stain on the 2020 Sedona’s card is an NHTSA recall for an alternator terminal nut that may come loose. The NHTSA says that if this B+ terminal nut comes loose, electrical arcing could result, which could cause a fire.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $495 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A (CarEdge)
2022 Kia Sportage
Total NHTSA Recalls: 1 | NHTSA Safety Rating: 5/5
Available in four trims: the LX, the Nightfall, the EX, and the SX Turbo, the 2022 Kia Sportage is not only one of the newer models of Kia with the fewest recalls, but also one of the most well-priced, considering its age and versatility. The two available engines are a 181-horsepower inline-four or a 240-horsepower turbocharged inline-four; you get a maximum cargo capacity of 60.1 cubic feet, maximum towing is 2,000 pounds, and all trims are available with all-wheel drive.
Prices for a ’22 Kia Sportage are currently sitting at between $16,250 for the base LX trim and $20,000 for the turbocharged SX Turbo. The NHTSA has given the 2022 Kia Sportage a 5-star safety rating, and we can see why; it comes equipped as standard with high beam assist, blind-spot collision warning, lane-keep assist, rollover sensors, which trigger airbags if you are about to roll, and downhill braking control. It is a very useful and safe used SUV to buy.
2022 Kia Sportage Reliability
The Kia Sportage also benefits from a 4 out of 5 RepairPal reliability rating, low average annual repair costs, a 7.5 out of 10 reliability rating from iSeeCars, and a J.D. Power reliability rating of 85 out of 100. In essence, it is a very handy all-round family ferry.
There is one NHTSA safety recall for the 2022 Sportage, though, which is due to models boasting a tow hitch harness being at risk of a fire. The NHTSA recall notice says that if mud and other grime from the road accumulate on the harness’s printed circuit board, it can short-circuit. Best to check if the 2022 Sportage you are looking at is equipped with one, because both factory-fitted units and optional extra units are subject to this recall.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $462 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,453 (CarEdge)
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2023 Kia Stinger
Total NHTSA Recalls: 1 | NHTSA Safety Rating: 5/5
Boasting an owner rating of 4.8 out of 5 on KBB, the 2023 Kia Stinger is one of those underrated sedans that we wish we still had. The final model year of the Stinger was in 2023, and with it went a lot of undercover sporty potential, a solid ride, impressive handling guts, and bulletproof reliability for a sports sedan. There are two flavors of the 2023 Kia Stinger: the GT-Line and the GT2.
Prices today range from $26,000 for the GT-Line and $36,000 for the GT2. That may be some difference in price, but while the GT-Line is sporty, with a 300-horsepower 2.5-liter turbo-four under the hood, the GT2 is a bona fide undercover sleeper sedan. It comes equipped with a 368-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6; Brembo brakes are included; you can hit 60 mph in around 4.7 seconds, and torque-vectoring AWD was originally available. You can see why the Stinger GT2 is especially missed in the new market.
2023 Kia Stinger Reliability
Alongside the sleeper sedan credentials, powerful engine choices, sporty features, and renowned safety ratings, the final model year of the Kia Stinger is also exceptionally reliable. According to data on KBB, owners have given the 2023 Stinger a reliability rating of 4.6 out of 5; iSeeCars has rated it 7.6 out of 10, and it has been rated 87 out of 100 on J.D. Power. Seemingly, the Stinger offers a lot of everything you could want from a sporty sedan.
The NHTSA has recalled the 2023 Kia Stinger for one reason, though, and it is a doozy. According to NHTSA recall campaign 24V169000, models equipped with the 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 (the GT2) have been recalled because a potential oil leak from the turbo oil feed could spill oil onto hot engine components and cause a fire.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $474 (all Kia models)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,321 (all Kia models)
2021 Kia Sorento
Total NHTSA Recalls: 0 | NHTSA Safety Rating: 4/5
Positioned between the Sportage and the Telluride, the Kia Sorento offers a lot of versatility and everyday usability. The 2021 Sorento is available for average used prices between $17,000 and $22,800. It is only five years old, so the interior is still relatively up-to-date, and you get an 8-inch touchscreen, which can be upgraded to a 12.3-inch one in higher trims, available second-row captain’s chairs, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an available panoramic sunroof.
For the gas-engine Sorento, you get two choices: a 2.5-liter inline-four or a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four. The naturally aspirated option sits under the hood of the LX and the S, and can shift out 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. The turbo-four sits under the hood of the SX, EX, SX Prestige, and SX Prestige X-Line, and sends out 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque.
2021 Kia Sorento Reliability
The 2021 Kia Sorento has mixed-bag reliability ratings from owners, and it also has a contradictory reputation with recalls. The early release of the gas-engine 2021 Kia Sorento has been subject to four NHTSA recalls: one for a potential fire risk from a fuel leak, one for a loss of drive power, one for a risk of fire from the HVAC wiring harness, and one for a risk of fire from the tow hitch harness. However, this is for 2021 Kia Sorento models that were part of the release only; the later release 2021 Kia Sorento models (models that arrived in December 2020) have zero NHTSA safety recalls.
The best way to ensure that a used Kia Sorento is part of the ‘later release’ models is to check the VIN against Kia’s database or by inputting the VIN or plate number into the NHTSA recall portal. If you are looking at a used 2021 Sorento, this small check could save you a headache later on.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $533 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,610 (CarEdge)
2024 Kia Forte
Total NHTSA Recalls: 0 | NHTSA Safety Rating: 4/5
The 2024 Kia Forte has been given a J.D. Power overall rating of 84 out of 100, an owner rating on KBB of 4 out of 5, and an iSeeCars overall rating of 7.7 out of 10. So, all-round, very respectably viewed. Starting prices for the two-year-old Forte range from $16,700 to $20,300, so again, very respectably priced for its age and rating.
There are four trims to choose from: the Forte LX, the Forte LXS, the Forte GT-Line, and the top-tier Forte GT. For the LX, LXS, and GT-Line, you get a 2.0-liter NA inline-four good for 147 horsepower and 0–60 mph times of around 8.2 seconds. For the slightly sportier Forte GT, you get a 201-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo-four, which also improves rest-to-60 times to around 6.5 seconds. It is by no means the sportiest Kia model on earth, but for its price, it does offer a subtle bit of poke.
2024 Kia Forte Reliability
Alongside the zero NHTSA recalls, what makes the 2024 Kia Forte a very worthwhile used sedan is that it has garnered some exceptionally good reliability ratings. Owners on J.D. Power rate it 89 out of 100 for reliability; owners on KBB rate it 4 out of 5 for reliability, and iSeeCars rate it 7.6 out of 10 for reliability.
Like some of the most reliable Kia models on the market, the 2024 Kia Forte also has low predicted annual repair costs over both the short and long term, with RepairPal saying it will cost you a touch over $450 a year for maintenance, and CarEdge echoing this sentiment, with a 10-year maintenance cost estimate of just over $6,200.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $451 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,216 (CarEdge)
2025 Kia Seltos
Total NHTSA Recalls: 0 | NHTSA Safety Rating: 5/5
Featuring a maximum cargo capacity of 62.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, a maximum braked towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, an owner rating on KBB of 4.2 out of 5, and low top-end prices of $31,000, the 2025 Kia Seltos is a very handy small SUV to own. There are five grades to choose from: the LX, the S, the EX, the X-Line, and the SX, and two engine options to pick from.
Under the hood of the starting three grades, a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four kicks out 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, while the X-Line and the SX get a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four good for 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The NHTSA has given the 2025 Seltos a five-star safety rating, which includes a five-star front and side crash protection rating and a four-star rollover resistance rating. As standard, you and your family also benefit from a plethora of decent safety tech and hardware, which includes:
- Forward-collision avoidance.
- Lane-keep assist.
- Rear occupant alert.
- High-beam assist.
- Six airbags.
- Reinforced body structure.
2025 Kia Seltos Reliability
Alongside being a safe, family-friendly SUV with zero NHTSA recalls, the 2025 Kia Seltos is also viewed as a very reliable small SUV. The 2025 MY has been rated 86 out of 100 on J.D. Power for reliability and 4.3 out of 5 by owners on KBB. There is unfortunately no data on RepairPal and iSeeCars about the 2025 Kia Seltos’ reliability yet, but as the model gets older, we are sure to see a clearer view of its dependability.
While the 2025 Kia Seltos is one of the most reliable and one of the Kia models with the fewest NHTSA safety recalls, we do have to consider that it is only a year old, so things may change in the future. As it stands, though, last year’s Kia Seltos currently has zero recalls and a five-star safety rating. There isn’t much more to ask from an SUV you can buy for less than $31,000.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $474 (all Kia models)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,336 (CarEdge)
Sources: Kia, JD Power, FuelEconomy.gov, CarEdge, NHTSA, iSeeCars, and RepairPal