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Chevrolet Cruze vs Kia Forte: reliability compared

From 2010 to 2019, owners filed an average of 373 complaints per model year about the Chevrolet Cruze and 230 about the Kia Forte.

Side by side

Chevrolet CruzeKia Forte
Model years compared2010-20192010-2019
Owner complaints3,7312,297
Complaints per model year373230
Recalls2613
Years to avoid201120122013201420142017
Best yearsNone stand outNone stand out
Most common problemEngineEngine
Crash ratingNo dataNo data
Fuel economy31-37 mpg combined (2019)31-35 mpg combined (2019)

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

2010 Chevrolet Cruze: 22010 Kia Forte: 22120102011 Chevrolet Cruze: 7332011 Kia Forte: 15420112012 Chevrolet Cruze: 8652012 Kia Forte: 29320122013 Chevrolet Cruze: 5872013 Kia Forte: 19520132014 Chevrolet Cruze: 7052014 Kia Forte: 44420142015 Chevrolet Cruze: 2542015 Kia Forte: 26220152016 Chevrolet Cruze: 2502016 Kia Forte: 13720162017 Chevrolet Cruze: 2032017 Kia Forte: 30520172018 Chevrolet Cruze: 1092018 Kia Forte: 13620182019 Chevrolet Cruze: 232019 Kia Forte: 1502019
Chevrolet CruzeKia Forte

Problems compared

CruzeForte
Engine1,3931,118
Electrical762287
Transmission683181
Driver assistance39371
Brakes378207
Steering375134
Airbags261268
Lights78171

Questions about the Chevrolet Cruze vs Kia Forte

Which is more reliable, the Chevrolet Cruze or the Kia Forte?

Between 2010 and 2019, the Chevrolet Cruze has 4 years to avoid and the Kia Forte 2. The Kia Forte has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Kia Forte drew fewer complaints per model year (230 vs 373), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Cruze or the Kia Forte?

From 2010 to 2019, the Chevrolet Cruze was covered by 26 recalls and the Kia Forte by 13.

What years of the Chevrolet Cruze and Kia Forte should you avoid?

Chevrolet Cruze: 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Kia Forte: 2014 and 2017.

More compact cars comparisons

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