Kia Forte Complaints

2,563 consumer complaints on file.

#10489463December 21, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I BOUGHT MY 2012 KIA FORTE EX ON 11/12/2011. RIGHT AFTER MY FIRST OIL CHANGE FROM THE KIA DEALER. I TOOK IT HOME AND PARKED IT IN MY GARAGE. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN FRIDAY JAN. 21 2011. WE WERE GOING TO DINNER ON SATURDAY 01/22/2012. AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. TOOK 10 MINUTES. WITH GASOLINE SMELL IN CAR. WE LET THE AIR CLEAR OUT. WELL TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR INTO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM DUE TO NO LIGHT OR SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT GOING OFF. IT IS NOW 12/21/2012. AND STILL HAVING ISSUES WHICH IS A VERY VERY BAD SAFETY ISSUE. ON 12/17/2012 I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE AND HAD A VERY BAD RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CAR. AGAIN I CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID BRING IT UP. SO I DID SO. MY GENERAL MANAGER AS WELL AS FELLOW EMPLOYEES SMELLED THE FUEL ODOR ALSO. GENERAL MANAGER SAID TO ME THAT HE FELT THAT THIS WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. NOW PROHIBITING ME FROM PARKING THIS CAR NEAR OUR FACILITY. ANYWAY I DROVE IT TO FT. WAYNE TO THE DEALER WITH ALL 4 WINDOWS DOWN UNTIL ENTERING FT. WAYNE. IT STARTED RAINING. I HAD TO ROLL THEM ALL UP. AT DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER SMELT THE TERRIBLE SMELL AS WELL AS AN CUSTOMER AND TECHNICIAN. THEY WENT THROUGH EVERYTHING NOT FINDING ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TESTS THEY DID. ON 12/20/2012. I WAS TOLD TO COME AND PICK MY CAR UP (REPS ORDER.) SINCE THEY COULD NOT GET THIS TO REOCCUR. SO IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE AN BABY AND 2 OTHER CHILDREN AND US THAT ARE PUT INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION JUST BECAUSE THEY CANNOT PINPOINT THIS ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS AN NO START OR MISFIRE THEN THE FUEL SMELL IS THERE FOR DAYS. MY FEAR IS THAT THE FUMES WILL MAKE US SICK OR EVEN AN EXPLOSION. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL FIREMEN WHO HAVE EXPLAINED TO ME WHAT MAY OR COULD HAPPEN. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING MY FAMILY AND MYSELF INTO THIS DANGER? THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10488088December 12, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING FROM MY KIDS PEDIATRICIAN OFFICE. I NOTICED THE TRACTION CONTROL STAYED OFF AND WOULD NOT TURN ON. THAT AFFECTED MY BRAKE LIGHTS. I NOTICED THAT SAME PART IS PUT AS A RECALL FOR THE SORENTO AND SOUL BUT NOT FOR THE FORTE. IF IT IS THE SAME RECALL THE FORTE SHOULD BE INCLUDED. FOR THE VEHICLE BEING ONLY TWO YEARS OLD IT SHOULD BE COVERED AS A RECALL AND DUE TO THE SAFETY IMPACT THAT IT MAY CAUSE REAR END COLLISION DUE TO THE DRIVER NOT NOTICING THAT THE TCS AFFECTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10486388November 28, 2012
AIR BAGS
I WAS STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY AND REAR ENDED THEN PUSHED INTO A PKUP IN FRONT OF ME AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE ENDED UP BEING TOTALED OUT DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE REAR AND FRONT END DAMAGE. THE CAR THAT HIT ME WAS SKIDDING AND TRAVELING AT APPROX 30-35 MPH. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10480912October 17, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS, ENGINE
WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2012 KIA FORTE EX (SEDAN) WHICH WE HAD PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN DECEMBER 2011 TO THE STORE TO GET BREAD AND WERE ON OUR WAY HOME (ONLY ABOUT 2 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE) WHEN WE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. WE PULLED OVER WITHIN ABOUT 50 FEET OF SEEING IT, PUT IT IN PARK- WHICH BY THE TIME WE DID SO, WE LOST ALL POWER AND COULDN'T EVEN GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. WE GOT OUT AND MY BOYFRIEND TRIED TO POP THE HOOD BUT IT WAS ALREADY SO HOT HE COULDN'T DO IT... I RAN ABOUT 20 FEET AWAY FOR SAFETY REASONS, SO I AM NOT SURE WHERE IT STARTED, BUT WITHIN ABOUT 30 SECONDS, THE FLAMES CAME OUT OF THE SIDES AND FRONT OF THE HOOD. MY BOYFRIEND THINKS IT WAS ABOUT WHERE THE FUSE BOX IS, BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE HE NOTICED THE PAINT START TO BUBBLE OFF. HE IS A MECHANIC AND HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR, THROUGH THE DASH IS DISINTEGRATED. MY AIRBAGS MELTED AND POURED OUT OF THE DASH AND ROOF, UPHOLSTERY MELTED OFF THE SEATS, AND DOOR PANELS BUBBLED UP. ALL THE SPEAKERS BLEW AND MELTED. IT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY, IF I HAD KIDS IN THE BACK OR COULDN'T HAVE PULLED OVER IN TIME, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS. I AM VERY THANKFUL IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON MY WAY TO WORK, AS I DRIVE IN TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY WITH NO SHOULDER. I HAD NO ELECTRONIC MODIFICATIONS. IT WAS ENTIRELY STOCK, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WINDOW TINT, EXHAUST, A LOWERING KIT, AND AFTERMARKET TIRES AND WHEELS--ALL WHICH WERE INSTALLED BY PROFESSIONALS. THE CAR HAD 8900 MILES ON IT AND ALL MAINTENANCE WORK HAD BEEN DONE. EVEN 3 OIL CHANGES- EVEN THOUGH KIA CLAIMS THE CAR CAN GO 7K WITHOUT ONE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS GOING TO TREAT IT AS A TOTAL LOSS AND DO AN INVESTIGATION ON IT. KIA HAS A CASE GOING BUT HAVE NOT YET SENT AN ENGINEER OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10475215September 12, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT VEHICLE START - GAUGES ON DASH DID NOT WORK AND SHIFT LOCK WAS ENGAGED. UNABLE TO SHIFT VIA SHIFT RELEASE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. *TR *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473853September 4, 2012
SEATS
THE HEADREST PUSHES MY HEAD SO FAR FORWARD IT MAKES MY NECK HURT. I AM BETWEEN 5' 3" AND 5' 4" AND HAD TO TURN IT AROUND BACKWARDS. OTHERWISE, I LITERALLY HAVE TO HUNCH MY SHOULDERS TO LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD. IT ISN'T SAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473208August 31, 2012
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10471847August 22, 2012
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2010 KIA FORTE WHICH CAME WITH GOODYEAR LS2 TIRES, SIZE 215-45 17. IN THE THREE YEARS AND 25,000 MILES WE HAVE USED THE CAR, FOUR OF THE GOODYEAR TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED BUBBLES IN THE SIDEWALL. THIS HAS RESULTED IN HAVING TO REPLACE THE FOUR TIRES. AT THE TIME THE THIRD ONE NEEDED REPLACEMENT, I REPLACED IT WITH A DIFFERENT TIRE BY ANOTHER MANUFACTURER. THIS TIRE HAS PERFORMED FLAWLESSLY ON THE CAR WITH NO BUBBLES WHATSOEVER. RECENTLY, I NOTICED A NEW BUBBLE ON ONE OF THE GOODYEARS STILL ON THE CAR. THIS TIRE HAPPENS TO BE ONE THE SAME SIDE AS THE REPLACEMENT TIRE FROM ANOTHER MANUFACTURER. I BELIEVE THAT THE GOODYEAR LS2 TIRES MAY HAVE A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE SIDEWALL CONSTRUCTION. RESULTING IN SIDEWALL FAILURE (BUBBLES) WITH NORMAL USE. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE THREE REMAINING GOODYEAR TIRES ON THE KIA WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10465766July 16, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ODOMETER READ 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR REVERSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464189July 4, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
WHEN GOING 60 ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN TO 40 AND I HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. CAR WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. UPON RECIEVING THE CAR AGAIN IT WOULD JERK AND STALL WHEN ACCELERATING. CAR WAS THEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND A "RELEARN" OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS PERFORMED. THIS HAS NOT STOPPED THE PROBLEM AND HAS MADE IT WORSE. IT NOW JERKS WHEN STOPPING AND WHEN ACCELERATING AND PEEDS OF 5 MI/HR OR MORE. AS WELL AS WHEN FIRST SHIFTING THE CAR OUT OF PARK. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462270June 19, 2012
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SHE VEERED INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE IMPACT WAS TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF BOTH VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE ACCIDENT WAS BEING INVESTIGATED. UPDATED 7/26/12 *CN UPDATED 08/06/12
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10461876June 15, 2012
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW PRESSURE TIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ADDED AIR TO TIRES AND THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE SIDE PASSENGER REAR TIRE WAS CONSTANTLY LOOSING AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER HOWEVER THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE EXPLODED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE NEW TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,920.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10455641April 18, 2012
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
MARTIN GLASS COMPANY (AGRSS REGISTERED) REPLACED A FACTORY INSTALLED WINDSHIELD ON 04/18/2012. OUR TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO PUSH MOST OF THE WINDSHIELD OUT WITHOUT HAVING TO CUT THE URETHANE BEAD. THE URETHANE BEAD PULLED RIGHT OFF THE WINDSHIELD, AND WAS ONLY ADHERED TO ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WINDSHIELD PERIMETER. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT HAD IT BEEN, THE WINDSHIELD WOULD NOT HAVE REMAINED INTACT. THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS DUE TO THIS FACTORY INSTALLED IMPROPER INSTALLATION WAS COMPROMISED. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451182March 12, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MOVED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CURB. THE FAILURE RECURRED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED LURCHING AND HESITATION WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1000. UPDATED 04/10/12*LJ UPDATED 04/23/12
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10450856March 9, 2012
POWER TRAIN
WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS FELT THIS SUDDEN JERK (LIKE I HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND) AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. WHEN I GOT PULLED OVER I PLACED IT IN PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE IT WOULD NOT PULL FORWARD. TRIED TO PUT INTO THE MANUAL SHIFT SIDE AND IT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING THERE EITHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449128February 23, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10443873January 15, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
KIA FORTE 2.4L AUTOMATIC 6 SPEED, CHECK ENGINE CODE P200A FOR INTAKE RUNNER ISSUE - , APPARENTLY DEFECTIVE PART WAS REPLACED BY SHOP(WARRANTY)BUT COMPUTER STILL REPORTING THE CODE, DEALER SHOP INDICATED KIA MOTOR HAS NOT AVAILABLE UPGRADE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. CONCENR NOW, THIS ISSUE MAY AFFECT INTAKE-EXHAUST-CATALYTIC SYSTEM IF VEHICLE EXPERIENCE ANOTHER ISSUE, UNABLE TO DETECT DUE TO A PRIOR CHECK ENGINE STATUS NOT CLEARED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10442989January 3, 2012
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PROBLEM BEGAN 2/14/2011 (PURCHASE) AND CONTINUES. THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THESE HIGH FREQUENCY SENSORS AS NOTED ON A SHEET DATED 9/22/08 PROVIDED BY THE KIA ENGINEER. THESE DEVICES ARE PRONE TO SET OFF THE HIGH FREQUENCY SENSORS WHICH GIVES ME A FALSE READING. WITH THIS BEING THE CASE, THEN WHY ARE THESE HIGH FREQUENCY SENSORS INSTALLED IN VEHICLES? MY SENSORS ARE LIKE THE LITTLE BOY WHO CRIES WOLF.WHEN THEY ILLUMINATE REPEATEDLY ON AND OFF, I JUST IGNORE THE LIGHT AND WAIT UNTIL I TURN OFF THE CAR OR WAIT IT OUTWHICHEVER TURNS OFF THE LIGHT FIRST. THE SENSORS ARE NOT FULLY FUNCTIONAL BECAUSE SINCE THEY ARE SO SENSITIVE TO RADIO FREQUENCY WAVES AS STATED BY THE KIA ENGINEERS, THEN NHTSA HAS THE OBLIGATION TO HAVE KIA REMOVE AND REPLACE WITH SENSORS THAT ARE NOT SENSITIVE (AS SIMILAR TO MY FORD FOCUS WHICH ILLUMINATED AND WENT OFF WHEN AIR WAS PUT IN THE TIRE(S)). OTHERWISE, HAVING MALFUNCTIONING SENSORS AND UNDER-INFLATION OF TIRES CAN REDUCE VEHICLE SAFETY, REDUCE TREAD LIFE OF TIRES AND REDUCE FUEL ECONOMY WHICH DEFEATS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF A SENSOR. FROM THE 9/22/08 INFO SHEET: PITSTOP: OUTSIDE RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) AFFECTING TPMS OPERATION KMA HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL INQUIRIES REGARDING THE TPMS LIGHT ON WITH OR WITHOUT STORED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES IN MEMORY. THE FOLLOWING LISTED COMPONENTS/CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE CONTROL UNIT AND WHEEL SENSOR COMMUNICATION TO BE INTERRUPTED AND MAY CAUSE MULTIPLE DTCS. SOME CELL PHONE CHARGERS SOME LAPTOP COMPUTERS EXCITER TOOL CONNECTED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SOME PORTABLE NAVIGATIONAL DEVICES (GPS) AFTERMARKET RKE, BURGLAR ALARM, REMOTE START SYSTEMS POWER INVERTERS, PORTABLE MP# PLAYERS HAM RADIO EQUIPMENT HIGH TENSION POWER LINES AND RADIO STATION TOWERS VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT LOCATING DEVICES PORTABLE DVD PLAYERS INCORRECT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PART APPLICATION NOT CORRECT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10435204November 10, 2011
AIR BAGS, SEATS
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION IN WHICH I WAS ONLY TRAVELING 20 MPH. BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AIRBAG AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG BOTH DEPLOYED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I REALIZED THAT THE SEAT BEHIND ME HAD UNLATCHED AND MY SON'S BOOSTER CAR SEAT WAS THROWN FROM ITS PLACE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, HE WASN'T BUCKLED IN; HE WAS AT SCHOOL. NEVERTHELESS, I THINK THAT THIS MALFUNCTION COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY SERIOUSLY HURT MY SON. THE CAR WAS DEEMED AT TOTAL LOSS AND I WILL NOT PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434200November 4, 2011
TIRES:VALVE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VALVE STEMS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AND REAR HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INSISTED THAT THE CONTACT BROKE THEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,400. UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ THE VALVE STEM WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 12/23/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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