Kia Forte Complaints

2,563 consumer complaints on file.

#11499714January 2, 2023
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My husband was driving down a street going roughly 45 miles an hour and all of a sudden there was a jerking feeling and the steering wheel locked up on him and he could no manage the direction that the car would go.yes it is available for inspection upon request. The steering and the direction of the car going 45. miles an hour definitely endangered us that was in the car and those that were on the road at the approximate time that we were. There was only 42000 miles on the car and we had only had it 58 days. We had it towed to the dealership Kia Nissan in Monroe La. And was told that it would cost 2000 to fix. So I then had it towed to another mechanic and got a completely different story. that the car had been wrecked before even though it didn’t show on the Carfax and they were there was ways to tell it and also told that rack and pinion‘s don’t break usually until 220 300,000 miles. I spent every penny I had saved after losing everything in hurricane Laura to buy this car. Not only do I feel very lied to by the dealership that I bought it from and misinformed and uninformed a certain issues that would’ve prevented me from buying a car on top of that I’m paying 24% interest rate and now they want to increase the interest rate because the car is broke down and they had to defer some payments because I can’t get to work because I don’t have a vehicle. I’ve had Kia check out the car and I’ve had two other mechanics check out the car and both of them told me separate stories different problems different prices and I need some help establishing where is the fault lies. Because I don’t think I should be responsible for a injury to a car or is it something that broke on its own and almost endangered our lives when the car had only been driven 42,000 miles. There was absolutely no warning signs no flashes of light no nothing to warn of this problem it happened out of nowhere and it was very scary and not rush I wanna keep the car anymore because I was scary.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499753January 2, 2023
ENGINE
Unknown, 2010 Kia Forte engines have an active and open recall in Canada for a ticking noise that leads to vehicle fires and cause death it is not being addressed here in the United States even though the problems are exactly the same there's a smell of gas burning there are ticking and knocking noises coming from an engine and Kia is refusing to replace it here in the United States but they are actively replacing it in Canada
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499686January 1, 2023
ENGINE, FIRERELATED
I was driving on the highway going 50 mph where the vehicle suddenly shut off and started smoking. I exited the vehicle to take a look and the entire engine compartment was on fire. I only had the car for 2 months and was never made aware of any recalls on the car
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499279December 28, 2022
ENGINE
My car has had 2 engine failures in the last 2 years. The first time the repair was performed by Jeff Wyler Superior KIA in Cincinnati, Ohio a little over a year ago. Currently it's at Jeff Wyler KIA in Fairfield, Ohio awaiting repair. There diagnosis is another engine failure. There were no warning lamps before either engine failure. The first time the engine made noises so I stopped driving it and had it towed to the dealer. The second time it wouldn't start when I came out in the morning to go to work.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498793December 25, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The trunk seal is not functioning properly. Water gets into lighting and causes mold in truck.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498520December 22, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This complaint is NOT against any incident on this vehicle per say but concerning Kia customer care. I am a potential buyer of this vehicle from Autonation 104 here in Denver, CO. And, I contacted Kia to provide me with the vehicle recall information so that I can be better educated to make a decision on whether or not I should buy a vehicle with an open recall status. However, Kia customer care 1 (800) 333-4542 flagrantly denied disclosing any information pertaining the recall status. Now, I am aware that recall information is also available on NHTSA and other free forums, however, my desire with the above call was to understand more about the recall that may or may not be already available publicly. For instance, whether or not this is a stop-sale recall, their advisory on an open recall vehicle as it relates to me and my family's safety, current wait times if I were to service the recall etc. But, they denied to share any information on the recall at all. I also filed a complaint to their customer care department through a voicemail (seriously?) because apparently that was the only option they make available. Details on the incident: On-call Phone number: 18003334542 Time: 10:11AM MST Date: 12/20/22 Per Federal law a vehicle manufacturer has to notify the customers/potential customers of any vehicle recall information that applies to the vehicle that the customer is intending to buy. Please let me know if you need any more information from me. Thank you,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498542December 22, 2022
ENGINE
The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormally loud noise. The driver pulled off the roadway and safely stopped. The contact stated that her daughter had not noticed any warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that her daughter saw a puddle of oil underneath the vehicle. The contact's daughter had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the mechanic determined that the vehicle had thrown a connecting rod and that engine oil was sprayed on the engine support and frame. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498196December 20, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Good morning, I want to report extreme safety concerns about my KIA Forte GT - Line 2023.When I first came home with the car days later the car shut off in the middle of the street while driving just one house up from my house. I attempted to turn it back on and the car would not turn back on and it automatically proceeded to call roadside assistance.I immediately informed the dealership. The car often hesitates, fails to shift and turns completely off. Last Sunday on December 11, 2022 I was about to get on the Roosevelt Boulevard expressway while I was on a street which is a hill that leads me to the expressway going about a reasonable distance. My car proceeded to roll backwards on the hill. I immediately thought to myself this is a huge safety concern. The incident that occurred on December 13,2022 in front of my house was a dealbreaker for me. I was moving my car from my home driveway , I put my car in reverse and moved my steering wheel the opposite to go right with my foot slightly on the gas my car would not move. The transmission light , battery lights and other lights came on. My car then said reverse,neutral then reverse again. I did not change gears to neutral. Still my car would not move. Shortly after I put my foot on the brake because I saw a white car speed behind me very fast. I kept my foot on the brake until the coast was clear and the white car disappeared.After that my car immediately goes backwards at full speed ( Jumps out of gear accelerated then stalled) and hits a parked car which damages the back of my car.I called KIA roadside assistance because I was turned off by the car and I did not feel like it was safe to drive and it needed to be towed. The incident happened in front of my house but it could have happened anywhere and cause even more damage to me and someone else. I talked to [XXX] on the phone a day after my car arrived at the dealership and she immediately stated that KIA can not fix any damages. My car needs to go to a INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFOR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498074December 19, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that there was a strong gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine made abnormal knocking sounds. The contact stated that the failure occurred increasingly while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V75000 (Engine). An unknow dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497919December 18, 2022
ENGINE
After slowing and making a right turn onto another street, I tried to accelerate but the vehicle would not speed up in heavy traffic. After driving downhill 0.2 miles, I made another right turn and the vehicle would not accelerate uphill and was making a loud noise from the engine. I managed to limp home and parked the vehicle as the engine is now always making a loud knocking sound.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497516December 15, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
UNKNOWN. The clear coat paint is peeling on the roof, trunk, door handles, and A-Frame of the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497166December 12, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
I received a voluntary service campaign letter dated August 19, 2022. The letter was in regard to corrosion of the brake lines. I was driving when my brake lines ruptured. I had the car towed, 11/ 22/22, to the Kia dealership in Jamestown, NY. I received a call from the service department, letting me know all the brake lines were 100% covered under terms of the recall. I was told they didn't have the parts, had to be ordered, were on back order and that could take up to 2 months. I called Kia customer service, the owner, [XXX], the general manager, [XXX] and was told I could wait, have it repaired at my cost (the parts are made at the dealership) or buy a new car. The dealership doesn't have loan vehicles. I made the decision to have the car repaired at my cost. My vehicle is used for my job and personal transportation. To maintain my employment, I had to find alternative transportation. I called the dealership on Thursday, 12/ 2/ 22, to do the repair the price quoted was $777.60. I was called at 9am, Monday 12/5/22 my vehicle was repaired. The cost was $792,98, the change was the cost of labor increased Mon. 12/5/22. The repairs were done for the front brake lines. I am driving with corrosive rear brakes lines waiting for the parts. How many owners of KIA vehicles are driving with corrosive brakes lines and are unable to get them repaired. Kia is being irresponsible and poising a major vehicle mishap for American drivers. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496720December 9, 2022
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Son purchased his first car and like the 17 forte. Bought it for around 12k and drove it for 8k miles and he had the engine start knocking. No indication lights nothing. Checked the oil thinking it could be that but it wasn’t low on oil. Had it towed to our mechanic he said the motor was blown. Kia would not do anything after it sat in the dealership ship for 21 days. Just received an estimate of $7800 to replace a motor with a used motor with 42k on it!! Are you kidding me! These motors are horrible and there service is the same. Stand behind your product if you ever want to be successful. He could have been stranded in the middle of nowhere with a car having less then 100k miles on it. Needs to be recalled.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496738December 9, 2022
ENGINE
Cylinder 2 is misfiring and causing the engine to get out of rhythm. The car begins shaking and the engine struggles to keep running. The car feels like it will stop running at any given point of when it happens. The check engine light only appears when at a complete stop or when my foot is on the gas. When I take my foot off the gas and the car cruises, the check engine light goes away, making it extremely difficult to catch/code.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496756December 9, 2022
ENGINE, AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the engine was misfiring and there was dark smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The used car dealer was notified of the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496794December 9, 2022
ENGINE
I purchased a Kia Forte, 2012, in September of 2021. The engine has stalled, several times after putting gas in it and last week after filling up, gas fumes permeated the inside of the car while driving. Recently, this has started happening regularly. When I decided to investigate why this is happening, so that I have awareness of possibilities before going to the crooked dealer, I learned of the Class Action Lawsuit settlement against Hyundai/Kia specifically related to deadly engine stalling while driving and engine fires as a result of the identical problem which I am having. When I put my VIN into your site, it comes up as zero recalls, however, as you state on your site, many vehicles VINs are still updating. I did the research to learn if my vehicle fit the category of how this is happening. The dangerous defect is happening with Hyundai/Kia Theta II multi-port fuel injection (MPI) engines, Nu gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines, and Gamma GDI engines described in the combined lawsuit and all vehicles that have the defect, which adds up to 1.05 million. The vehicles involved in the Settlement are Theta II, Hyundai Tucson/ix35 (LM) (2009–2015), Hyundai Sonata (2007–2014) Kia Forte (TD) (2008–2012), Kia Optima/K5 (2008–2012), Kia Sportage (SL) (2010–2013) My 2012 Kia Forte has the 2.0L DOHC MPI Theta II multi-port fuel injection (MPI) engine listed as defective. As a female Veteran who drives 60 miles to the nearest Veteran's hospital, I am now scared to drive the car due to reports of the vehicle stalling in traffic and in my case on the California freeway where speeds normally are typically 65 to 75 mph. I have no other vehicle. I purchased this vehicle for the outstanding CarFax and Experian reports as a rental car, resulting in the highest standard and consistent servicing for years. Please rush this complaint so that I can keep my VA doctor appointments. I am scared, my VIN is KNAFU4A29C5590130. Thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496804December 9, 2022
ENGINE
Was driving to work and heard a sound of metal as if something fell from the car. Looked back in my rear view to see a trail of fluid. Pulled over immediately and the car started to stall out at the same time. Called a tow. They advised to contact police and fire in case it was gas. Fire department came and confirmed it was oil. I had gotten my oil changed two weeks prior at valvoline. Towed the car home where it sat. Called valvoline and they sent a technician to confirm the oil dispersed throughout the engine bay. Lifted the car to redo the oil change and witnessed oil leaking from the engine with no seals/caps missing. Towed to a local mechanic where it was found that a bearing went out- rod shot through the engine. Confirming the noise I heard last week. When looking through KBB - showed recall for Forte engine issues 2012-2015. Case started with KIA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496269December 6, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SUSPENSION
No accident to report. This will will be my second time replacing suspension springs and brake light assembly. I have reason to believe that the 2013 Kia Forte EX model has a recall on these item because my car isn't the only vehicle in for these exact issues. I wish to have these investigated because this is becoming most costly than expected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11495728December 2, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
Received inspection letter dated 8/19/22 from Kia to inspect/replace if necessary brake line. First available appointment was 9/27/22. Inspection revealed a severely rotted brake line and invoice notation that vehicle is unsafe to drive. I contacted 3 other Kia dealerships and was given the familiar response that the parts are on back order with not estimate time for arrival. I contacted Kia customer service for a remedy but experienced hour long wait on hold only to be disconnected. Several attempts later customer service suggested I seek an off dealer shop and pay for the repair and be reimbursed by Kia. I was not able to get service through a third party either. I was assigned a case number 15188053 but no viable resolution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11495674December 1, 2022
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I initially submitted a complaint on Nov 6 with my 2018 kia about engine failure /possibly, my car was towed to Darcars kia Urbana pike in frederick md, I had just made an appointment with them b4 my car broke down to get the trunk & air bag recalls taken care of 11/09 my car sat there until yesterday, they never took care of the recalls? REGARDLESS my engine /break down shouldn't they have fixed those issues? And I was told they would run diagnostic test on my car to figure out what happened, I never received anything other than them wanting me to pay 7,000 to fix my car ,or they would give me 500.if I wanted to sell they told my insurance agent I had engine failure from normal wear and tear? I didn't know they only expect their kias to run 100,000k also got a bill with absolutely no explanation of why I was charged,they clearly are playing a game- I called kia America who left me on hold over 2 hrs until I hung up,also emailed them about my recalls not being taken care of - they said it's not their problem, I'm assuming I should get a lawyer now
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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