Kia Forte reliability - better info, ASAP

[mkaresh]

I wanted more up-to-date car reliability information that included actual repair rates. So in late 2005 I started getting people together to make this possible. TrueDelta now updates actual repair frequencies, not just dots, four times a year, so we can provide stats quickly for new models then track cars closely as they age.

We're already providing the first stats for the Kia Soul, and would like to do the same for the Forte. So I'm grateful that this forum will be helping to get the word out.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, participants receive full access to all results, not just those for the Forte, for free.

For the details, and to sign up to help make this happen:

Car reliability research

 

[mkaresh]

18 Forte owners signed up. A very good start, but more needed for full results.

Help make this happen:

Car reliability research

 

[mkaresh]

We're on track for at least a partial result in May. A full result is still possible--just need another 15 or so owners signed up for this to happen.

 

[Rekoup]

I'm a member! Filled out my first deallio Glad to help! Only took a moment! Sign up, guys & gals.

 

[mkaresh]

Thanks for putting a good word in, Rekoup.

29 Forte owners now signed up. The more owners participate, the better the information we can provide.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

 

[mkaresh]

We'll have an initial result in about two weeks.

We fell just two responses short of the minimum for a full results. So clearly even a few more participants would be very helpful.

Details here:

Car reliability research

 

[Adragontattoo]

Why are you guys shilling a scam?

http://www.pissedconsumer.com/?option=com_search&Itemid=38&searchword=warranty+direct&go=

 

[mkaresh]

When I selected Warranty Direct as an affiliate, I did so because they seemed to have the best reputation among providers of third-party warranties. I would like to have better information on the service and coverage actually provided by these companies. I don't think they're running a scam, but warranty companies in general do tend to use the specific wording of their contracts to avoid paying claims.

---

We have an intial reliability stat for the Kia Forte based on owner experiences through March 31, 2010.

With a reported repair rate of 47 repair trips per 100 cars per year, the Forte is about average. We fell a single response short of the minimum for a full result, so on the site this result is asterisked and visible only to members.

A big thank you to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. The more owners participate, the better the information we can provide.

Kia Forte reliability comparisons

 

[mkaresh]

We have an updated reliability stat for the Kia Forte based on owner experiences through June 30, 2010.

Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the more recent months until the summer or even fall of next car.

With a reported repair rate of 50 repair trips per 100 cars per year, the Forte is about average.

Thank you, once again, to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February.

To see how competitors compare, and sign up to help improve this information:

Kia Forte reliability comparisons

 

[mkaresh]

We have an updated reliability stat for the Kia Forte based on owner experiences through September 30, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of next car.

With a reported repair rate of 46 repair trips per 100 cars per year, the Forte remains about average.

Thank you, once again, to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May.

To see how competitors compare, and sign up to help improve this information:

Kia Forte reliability ratings and comparisons

 

[KoupCoupe]

"With a reported repair rate of 46 repair trips per 100 cars per year, the Forte remains about average."

Of those that use the internet...not really a "overall" comparison...because people that have problems AND use the internet have a tendency to post. Those that do not have problems don't feel the need to spend time on the internet -- or don't use the internet -- to post their experiences.

 

[mkaresh]

"With a reported repair rate of 46 repair trips per 100 cars per year, the Forte remains about average."

Of those that use the internet...not really a "overall" comparison...because people that have problems AND use the internet have a tendency to post. Those that do not have problems don't feel the need to spend time on the internet -- or don't use the internet -- to post their experiences.

I understand where you're coming from, but this survey works differently than others. It collects information beginning with when people sign up, so whatever happened in the past that led them to seek information on the Internet is not a factor. This explains why for quite a few car models hardly any repairs have been reported. This would not happen nearly as much if this survey worked like others do.

 

[ItsaRuck!]

I understand where you're coming from, but this survey works differently than others. It collects information beginning with when people sign up, so whatever happened in the past that led them to seek information on the Internet is not a factor. This explains why for quite a few car models hardly any repairs have been reported. This would not happen nearly as much if this survey worked like others do.

It's still isn't very accurate. The only way to get accurate reliability stats is to have all owners involved. We've had our Forte since June and it's never been back to the dealer. I've never given that info to anybody. How many more people have had the same history?

 

[mkaresh]

It's still isn't very accurate. The only way to get accurate reliability stats is to have all owners involved. We've had our Forte since June and it's never been back to the dealer. I've never given that info to anybody. How many more people have had the same history?

The entire field of statistics is based on the fact that you can derive accurate results from a sample that is a very small percentage of the total population.

This said, you seem to think that your experience of a single car (a sample size of one) is more indicative of the entire population than the responses of 43 owners.

And this said, your experience is actually typical of these owners. About 80 percent of those participating have reported no repairs. Extrapolate this over 12 months, and you get the stat I posted.

 

[KoupCoupe]

I agree...and respectfully disagree: Look at the Forte Forums as an example. When I first joined them more than half the posts were from people with problems. Was this because the Forte was problem-prone? No, it was because those people who's first post was of a problem were mad (understandably) and they knew how to use the internet. Anyone searching the Forte and coming to the forums could get the feeling that quality was low on these cars because of this!
When I go to the Kia dealer I always take a look at the service department -- I do not see Fortes in the incoming line, in the shop, or on the ready line. Does that mean they never have problems? No - because I'm not there every minute they are open. But my actual observations would lead me to believe that the Forte is problem free. Would that be an accurate assessment? In my eyes, yes. Same with your sampling...

 

[Chino Koup]

We've had our Forte since June and it's never been back to the dealer. I've never given that info to anybody. How many more people have had the same history?

Same thing here, since June and I haven't had any issues. I stay away from dealers as much as possible. No one cares about your car the way you do and basically dread all dealerships. My other car is 18 years old and only seen a dealership once, for its 1st trans fluid change. Wopee! Do I care to let any survey know this? Nope. :sleepy: Now that might be different if they wanted to take me for icecream and we can talk about it.

 

[mkaresh]

You all seem to be reacting as if the stat I've reported implies that the Forte has a lot of problems. The average car is reliable these days, so "average" is far from "bad."

 

[ItsaRuck!]

You all seem to be reacting as if the stat I've reported implies that the Forte has a lot of problems. The average car is reliable these days, so "average" is far from "bad."

You're taking it wrong. The only point we're making is that these surveys aren't necessarily a true picture, whether good or bad. There are lots of variables that can't always be accounted for in a survey that only takes a sample.

 

[mkaresh]

The great majority of surveys only take a sample. They don't yield perfect results, but they do yield a much more accurate picture than scanning a forum, one dealer's service bays, etc.

That said, I've been exhausted ever since two 18-hour days at the Detroit show last week, so I could be misreading a bit.

 

[mschiavoni]

alot of those "repairs" come from recalls, too. not necessarily things that are broken, like the radio recall that reprogrammed the bass gain on the speakers. they count those as "repairs" too