Buy Kia Forte Side View Mirrors

Quick Overview

Quick Overview

The Kia Forte's side mirror-also called a wing mirror, door mirror, or exterior rear-view mirror-lets you see traffic next to and behind your car. Modern Forte mirrors can be power-adjusted, heated to melt ice, folded in for parking, and even flash turn-signal lights or show a camera view of the blind spot. On many 2022-present trims they also house radar or warning lamps for Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA). (owners.kia.com, owners.kia.com, kia.com)

Mirror Basics

Mirror Basics

Kia installs flat glass on the driver side and convex glass on the passenger side so you can see a wider area on the right. Convex glass makes cars look smaller and farther away, so give extra space before changing lanes. (Consumer Reports, NHTSA)
Every Forte since the 2010 model year shares three common adjustment modes:

• L / R selector switch chooses the mirror to move. (Carmenuals)
• Four-way pad tilts the mirror up, down, left, or right.
• Manual pivot (on base trims 2010-2013) lets you push the housing by hand if the power motor fails. (YOUCANIC)

Key Features

Key Features

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(owners.kia.com, owners.kia.com, kia.com, kia.com)

Fit & Compatibility

Fit & Compatibility

• First generation (2010-2013) sedan and Koup share mounting pattern but lack integrated signals on LX trims. (forteforums.com)
• Second generation (2014-2018) added LED signal strip and available heat.
• Third generation (2019-2025) keeps same three-bolt layout but wiring pin counts vary: 5-pin (manual-fold), 8-pin (auto-fold), 12-pin (camera/BCW). Always match pin count before installing. (YOUCANIC)
• The hatchback Forte5 (2014-2018) uses a taller mirror cap; sedan mirrors will not seal correctly.
• Paint codes are on the driver-door jamb; ordering a primed cap and spraying locally often costs less than buying a pre-painted housing.

Safety & Regulations

Safety & Regulations

Federal standard FMVSS 111 says each passenger car must have a stable outside mirror that gives a clear view of the lane next to the driver. (NHTSA) Kia positions the mirror so you can see a vehicle from 172 ft to 82 ft back when BCW radar is active. (owners.kia.com)
NHTSA suggests this blind-spot-reducing setup: lean your head against the window, angle the driver mirror out until you barely see your car, then center your head and set the passenger mirror the same way. (NHTSA) AAA and Consumer Reports echo the advice because it cuts glare at night and shrinks blind zones. (AAA, Consumer Reports, AAA)

Care & Maintenance

Care & Maintenance

• Use glass cleaner on a soft cloth; never spray the mirror directly because liquid can seep behind the glass and cloud the heating element. (Carmenuals)
• Check weekly for cracks or a loose cap after tight parking spots. A cracked lens can scatter headlight glare and fail inspection in some states.
• If the heat pads stop warming, a blown 10 A "MIRROR HTR" fuse in the interior box is the most common culprit.

DIY Replacement

DIY Replacement

Replacing a Forte side-view mirror at home takes about 20 minutes:

1. Pop the interior sail panel loose with a plastic trim tool. (YOUCANIC, YouTube)
2. Unplug the harness. Note the pin shape to avoid bending terminals.
3. Remove the three 10 mm nuts while supporting the housing with your free hand.
4. Swap the gasket to the new mirror, feed the harness, and tighten the nuts to about 7 lb-ft.
5. Re-attach the sail panel, then cycle the mirror to be sure all functions work.

Tip: If only the glass is broken, stick-on replacement lenses are cheaper and keep the original motor. Clean the remaining glass with alcohol first for best adhesion. (Amazon)

Driving Tips

Driving Tips

• After adjusting, do a mirror overlap check: a passing car should move from your interior mirror to the door mirror to your peripheral vision in one smooth flow. (Driving-Tests.org)
• Use the BCW lamp as an aid, not a guarantee-rain or snow can block the radar behind the mirror. (kia.com)
• Fold mirrors in city parking to avoid breakage; they cost far less to replace than an entire door panel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I fold my 2023 Forte mirrors automatically?
A: Go to Setup ➜ Vehicle ➜ Door ➜ Auto-Fold Mirrors and check the box. The mirrors now tuck in every time you lock the car with the key fob. (owners.kia.com)

Q: Will a 2016 mirror fit a 2014 Forte?
A: Yes-2014-2018 share the same second-generation body. Just match options like heat or signal lights.

Q: What does the yellow triangle on the mirror mean?
A: It is the Blind-Spot Warning lamp. It lights up when radar detects a car in the next lane and blinks if you signal toward that lane. (owners.kia.com)

Q: My mirror vibrates at highway speed. How can I fix it?
A: Tighten the three mounting nuts first. If vibration continues, the internal spring plate may be worn; replace the housing.

Q: Can I add turn-signal mirrors to my 2012 LX?
A: The wiring is not pre-run on LX trims. You would need to add power and ground wires from the body control module, making the upgrade time-consuming. (forteforums.com)

Q: Why does the passenger mirror say "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear"?
A: Because the glass is convex. The curve widens your view but changes depth perception, so cars seem farther away. (Consumer Reports, NHTSA)

Q: Does the heated mirror turn on by itself?
A: It activates with the rear-window defogger button and shuts off automatically after several minutes. (Carmenuals)

Q: My blind-spot light flashes but no car is there. Is it broken?
A: Sensor lenses behind the mirror might be dirty. Clean them with a damp cloth. If the warning still appears, the system needs a diagnostic scan. (kia.com)

Q: What fuse controls the power mirrors?
A: Look for the "DRIVER P/WINDOW" 10 A or "MIRROR" 7.5 A mini-fuse in the interior fuse panel, depending on model year.

Q: Are aftermarket convex stick-on dots legal?
A: Yes, as long as they do not block the required view set by FMVSS 111. (NHTSA)