Kia Forte Complaints

2,563 consumer complaints on file.

#11444871December 23, 2021
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V622000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The part was not available for repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Invalid VIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11444762December 22, 2021
POWER TRAIN
My car was vehicle was driving on the highway over 200 miles away from home when I was driving about 65 mph the speed limit. When trying to accelerate on the Highway my vehicle would jump from 2,000 RPMs - 4,000 RPM not going faster. As I hit the gas my speed decreased and I pulled over the side of the road. When I tried to turn on/off my car the check engine light randomly appeared and I was stuck on the side of the road unable to accelerate. My car could have been rear ended on the Highway with Speed Limit of 65 MPH and I could have died if I didn't think quickly and pull to the side of the road. The dealer that the car towed to confirmed my car's transmission needed to be replaced. The only prior warning was my car's acceleration was decreased after Recall SC199 was completed by the dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11443957December 15, 2021
AIR BAGS
My daughter was in a collision. A car hit her Kia forte on passenger front side and the front drive side caved in which bent the frame. The air bag didn’t deploy. Her head hit the review mirror and it broke from the windshield. The insurance adjuster mentioned that he would have thought the air bag would have deployed. I also thought so to. I googled the Kia Forte and found reporting of air bag deployment issues. Please investigate.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11443796December 14, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer failed to update the Knock Sensor Detection System software. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who updated the Knock Sensor Detection System software; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer advised the contact that they would send a diagnostic report and video clips to the manufacturer to obtain the manufacturer's approval for the engine replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to obtain a vehicle rental out-of-pocket and she would be reimbursed later. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 63,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11443556December 13, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Brake light failure on both tail lights. The problem started by finding mold in the trunk. This was caused by water pooling in the bottom space where the spare tire would go if it came with one. Water leaks were observed from both tail lights into the trunk. The culprit seems to be bad gaskets for the tail lights. The gaskets have cracks which let rain water through. The poor design of this part has caused both brake lights to stop working. I fear water damage with the wiring / electrical system. The 3rd, center brake light still works. Will KIA pay to fix this important safety feature?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11443557December 13, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
When I engage the left turn signal the headlights will intermittently shut off. They sometimes come back on and sometimes do not. Usually after completing a turn they come back on. It's unpredictable and this has caused some scary situations. It is a continual problem that needs to be fixed by KIA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11443362December 10, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, he heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for an oil change. The contact stated that while driving for approximately two miles down the road the knocking sound returned. The contact veered to the side of the road and attempted to restart the vehicle and heard another loud knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle would not restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as rod blown in the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact then had the vehicle towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer confirmed the previous diagnosis and informed the contact that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact spoke with local dealer about the recall and was informed that the vehicle no longer qualified for the repair because the vehicle had exceeded the 150,000-mile threshold. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 201,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11443209December 9, 2021
ENGINE
2015 forte with 1.8l engine. Rod nock noise developed after 104k miles. Loss of power and drivability is decreasing. No diagnostic lights on. Called Kia and was told that the 1.8L are not under the recall. However there are several 1.8 motors exhibiting the same symptoms. Oil changes have been done at suggested intervals. I believe the recall needs to be expanded. Kia wants me to take to dealer to verify. ASE mechanic has looked at it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11443220December 9, 2021
ENGINE
Engine Knock, Engine failure and replacement. The car had to be towed to the dealer and they would not cover the repair because we were the second owner. We purchased the car with 67k miles on it and the engine failed 6 months after purchase.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442762December 6, 2021
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I live in Chicago it was approximately 35 degrees and raining out today, so I had my defrost on. I was in the line at a fast-food restaurant and I heard a crack noise. I looked at my windshield and there was a straight, horizontal line crack approximately 8-10 inches long. When I got out to look to see if something had hit my window, I saw that there were no impact chips and it is a crack that just begins at the very edge of the windshield going into the center. I took pictures but I have not done anything to stop the crack from spreading because I do not want to void my warranty or anything just in case. Kia already has this same issue happening with the 2020 Kia Tulleride.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442856December 6, 2021
ENGINE
The engine failed and the car broke down while driving one of the busiest highways in Texas. The engine has a risk of catch fire too apparently. I have received a diagnostic from an independent mechanic who was able to confirm the problem as total engine failure due to manufacturer oversight. (H&H Auto Repair, 512.863.4411 located at 2524 N Austin ave. Georgetown, tx 78626) The manufacturer has informed me that i can have it brought of which I will be responsible for towing the car as well as for replacing the engine, expecting to cost several thousand dollars. No police have no been involved and the insurance does not cover mechanical work. There was NO indication at all prior to failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442497December 3, 2021
ENGINE
The vehicle has been consuming and leaking oil for over two years. More recently the vehicle was started/running and it was identified that large amounts of oil were leaking from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the original Kia dealership where purchased. The Kia dealership has advised that the engine is seized and requires replacement. Kia has declined the dealership's request to replace engine. Recall for vehicle is currently open: Manufacturer Recall Number - SC200YD NHTSA Recall Number - 20V750
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442512December 3, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I believe that something within brake light assembly has caught fire at one time. The plastic I. Which holds the brake light bulb is melted to the point that I had to purchase a new brake light assembly because I can no longer replace the bulb because it is melted beyond repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442386December 2, 2021
AIR BAGS
Unknown had the car only 2 years and the air bag light came on and they have never has been deployed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442448December 2, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
KIA FORTE 2022 Complaints A/C isn't working KIA FORTE 2022 AC condenser we just bought a *New Black 2022 KIA FORTE FE/L on 09 Nov 2021 already having problems the AC stopped working so we took it to the KIA Dealership in Katy when it happens the parts dept. the supervisor says it has no Freon in it and it was safe to drive home and it was a Structural Design Flaw that caused the problem. So we took it to where we bought it to get it checkout they claim it was due to a HOLE IN THE CONDENSER, NOT WARRANTY RECOMMEND TO REPLACE CONDENSER Estimated PARTS, AND LABOR IS $1,351.13+ TAX. Kia dealership won't fix it unless we pay $1300 ++++ saying it's not covered under the warranty it's a brand new car parts manager in another Kia Dealership says it was caused by a Structural Design Flaw but the KIA Dealership where we bought the car says we have to pay to get it fixed. They claim a little rock or something from the road caused the damage however there is no way for a little rock to reach the AC condenser from the bottom. As you can see in the pictures the bottom is covered by a shield to prevent anything from getting in. If anything got in it's due to a Structural Design Flaw due to the opening in the bumper design where there is an opening just below where they claim the damage is. I took picture of the car before taking it to the shop and the picture they sent us looks like a different vehicle. There was no residue or anything to show it was a leak. Then they had the nerve to charge me $132.69 to get my car back the receipt says labor $50.00 Parts $90.00 what parts did they replace? It’s still broken. Then they even charged me tax on this Is this how they treat customers who have bought several cars from them I hope someone gets their act together and do what’s right and fix our car and refund me the $132.69 and fix the problem so it won’t happen again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442264December 1, 2021
STEERING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel made a knocking sound. The contact stated that the first time the failure occurred was in late September with the knocking sound only happening while turning either to the left or the right. The contact stated that recently the failure started occurring whenever the vehicle was being driven. The contact stated that the steering wheel was not secured and felt as if it was going to detach. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 52,177.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442163November 30, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
my 2020 kia forte was stolen May 4,2021- car locked and anti theft system activated at that time. Then on October 22,2021 there was an attempted theft on my car again. This time there was also a steering wheel club on car as well as the anti theft system that comes with car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441838November 27, 2021
AIR BAGS, ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Engine and air bag
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441701November 26, 2021
ENGINE
Engine has blown a rod. Inspected and confirmed by certified auto mechanic.(Lucky's Amoco Service) No warnings or lights were present at time of vehicle breakdown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441691November 25, 2021
ENGINE
Engine is knocking very loudly. Concerned it is going to fail while driving it and cause an accident. I have noticed many other people have this issue with this 2.0 engine Kia has.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Forte