Kia Forte Complaints (2018)

136 consumer complaints on file.

#11761532September 2, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
There is an issue with the fuel pump where it would stall or shut off while driving or at a stoplight
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761101August 31, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact's son owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, with the oil pressure warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle was turned off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but there was white smoke coming from the engine. The contact raised the hood and inspected the engine, and the smoke had ceased. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized due to a lack of engine oil, even though the engine oil had been changed in June. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V260000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 100,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734041April 27, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Have to replace running lights every 4-6 months on both of my headlights. Happened every 4-6 months since I got the car in 2017
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726619March 24, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was discovered that the engine oil level was extremely low. The dealer kept the vehicle for nine months and performed an oil change. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who replaced the oil gasket cover, but the failure recurred with the engine making knocking sounds. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720401February 25, 2026
ENGINE
Recently, while my boyfriend was driving my vehicle, the engine suddenly lost power without warning. He had the accelerator pedal fully depressed, yet the vehicle would barely move. He was fortunate to safely maneuver the vehicle off the road. Upon inspection, he discovered there was no oil present in the engine. Critically, neither the low oil warning light nor the check engine light had illuminated prior to this failure, providing absolutely no warning of a severe mechanical problem. After adding oil and performing a proper oil change, the engine began violently shuddering and shaking upon startup, and only then did the check engine light illuminate. The vehicle was immediately towed to an authorized Kia dealership, where I was informed that the timing chain had failed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719191February 19, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
While driving the car with the flow of busy traffic, the engine failed and the car stopped. It eventually turn back on (side of the road) but now drives with hesitation, a strange noise, and with the engine light on. This cycle continued until we arrived at the repair shop. And after much research, it seems that this experience is common for other Kia engines. Why was mine not included? Someone could have been badly injured!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718356February 16, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Engine would run fast and then sound like was going to stop and then it would start shaking and rumbling while driving on highway and in town. Car would stall while at a stop. Gas smells inside the car. Did not feel safe driving. Had the car towed to an independent garage on February 7th and They did an oil change, change 2 Sensors, changed all the spark plugs and changed all 4 Cylinders and on the way home from Starks garage the car was doing the same as before going to the garage with gas smells inside the car, shaking, rumbling and stalling of the engine. And the car wanting to stall while on the highway speed limit of going 60 mph. the next morning My mom and stepdad had the car towed again to another mechanic close to them at Hudson Import Automotive -Napa Auto Care and they emailed a list of problems after inspecting the car. Attaching the list of codes from a diagnostic test from Auto Zone Store # 00791 , and the Estimate for Service from Hudson Import Automotive - Napa Auto Care. Have no paperwork from Starks mechanic shop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716854February 9, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I went to Kia dealership in Groton CT 06340 for an oil change. They also fixed a recent recall, and after I picked up my car, both of my key fobs weren’t working. I can’t open my car. I can’t lock my car and they are refusing to fix it. I contacted kia corporate. they were not helpful. What can I do here to have this situation resolved? I’m worried that the anti theft system doesn’t work now on my car because my key fobs don’t work at all.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714130January 29, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car turn off while driving it. This creates a serious safety concern. We took the car to a mechanic and he was not able to identify the problem, he suggested we take it to the dealership. We then took it to the kia dealer ( Covina) and they have had it for months and yet are not able to fix it. Yesterday we received a call telling us, the engine failure is related to the oil pressure and it would need a new engine. This is no longer covered under warranty. This same car has already had the engine replaced once before. When we bought the Kia in 2018 (new) just weeks after we took it home, it required a new engine, which Kia replaced. The current issue appears to be related to oil pressure and is consistent with engine concerns reported on this model year.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714332January 29, 2026
ENGINE
No warning lights/ indicators at all. Well taken care of vehicle 84,400 miles on the vehicle second owner. Had an oil change and my husband noticed bad blow by, had it diagnosed by a mechanic. They said we need a whole new engine. Dont understand how this would happen unless some manufacturer defect. No recalls apparently for this vehicle. Seems to be a common issue. Really sucks that I dont even have 100000 miles and need a new engine. We got screwed over as first time buyers with a huge loan ended up paying nearly 30000 dollars for this vehicle and the engine is already no good. I hope something comes of this because people are tired of getting screwed around by major corporations. Theres no reason why my engine should be no good with only 84400 miles and well maintained. Luckily my husband noticed when he did because who knows what would have happened if it had gone out while driving with no indicators that anything is wrong whatsoever. Could have been a bad crash for all I know.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704388December 11, 2025
ENGINE
While driving on U.S. 69 highway in Overland Park, Kansas, the engine in my 2018 Kia Forte suddenly failed without warning. I was entering the northbound lanes from the 95th Street on-ramp and was accelerating to merge at about 50 mph. There had been no prior warning lights or messages. Just after getting into the right lane to merge with traffic, the engine lost power and the car began slowing down quickly. I had vehicles behind me that were still moving at highway speed. I had to react immediately, and fortunately the driver behind me was able to brake. I turned on my signal and coasted as best I could to the shoulder of the highway. Only after the failure did the check engine light come on. The engine never restarted and the vehicle had to be towed. This incident created a serious safety risk to me and to other drivers on the highway. A car entering the highway and then immediately losing power is not something other drivers expect, and I could have been hit from behind. There was no prior warning or symptom before the failure. The vehicle has since been diagnosed by a Kia dealer as needing an engine replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700717November 21, 2025
ENGINE
MY VEHICLE IS USING ALOT OF OIL AND WILL NOT START THE WARNING COMES UP IS CONCERNING THE OIL PUMP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697327November 4, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Right break light fills up with water. Consistently changing break light bulbs due to moisture in the break light.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695139October 22, 2025
ENGINE
the engine was burning oil unknown to me. You had an oil change completed at 101k miles and 106k miles and there was no oil left in the engine per mechanic. This caused the check engine light to turn on. Upon running the engine scans the code for a crankshaft error was discovered. P0017 The mechanic has now stated that a new engine is required due to the damage done to the engine because of the oil loss.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688679September 21, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES
ABS light, parking break light, tire pressure light, ESC light, and outdoor temperature and climate control all flicker and the speedometer stops working. Multiple cars with same make and model have same issue and are constantly in and out of the dealer with the issue unresolved.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685190September 5, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Unknown. Fire was located under in the engine compartment area and fire was visible from below the engine under the car. When it happened I was driving on the freeway when noticed my car seemed to be struggling stay at the current speend and to loose speed then a it suddenly l no longer would accerlatoed so I pulled over to call 911 a passing vehicle stopped and informed me there was flames under my car. I safetly exited and called for emergency services. The Safety risk of major bodily harm by fire to myself or risk of harm to the environment around me a risk. The check engine light had come on before the fire. Reached out to manufacturer for a fire investigation and was instructed to take car to dealership to for service department to inspect. Was told a ETA of 2 weeks before they will check out my car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675794July 24, 2025
STEERING
Steering wheel making a clicking noise when turning both ways, stationed and moving, also rattles a lot when going over speed bumps, seems like a manufacturer defect as this is a common thing heard around these Kia’s
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674423July 18, 2025
ENGINE
In January 2025, Shortly after an oil change (6-7days after), the vehicle first slowed down abruptly while driving and had a clinking sound. The vehicle was then pulled into a parking spot, refrained from driving due to the clinking sound. It was then towed to a Kia dealership in Jacksonville NC, diagnosed as engine failure at the cost of over $9000. The vehicle has been at the lot since January of 2025 because we can't afford the cost. Similar Kia vehicles have been recalled, and we would like this particular vehicle investigated. We purchased the vehicle in November of 2022 from a used car sales lot.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672136July 9, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Timing, VVT sensor. Oil pressure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669687June 27, 2025
ENGINE
Same defective engine issue as other saftey recalls for other vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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