Kia Forte Complaints

2,563 consumer complaints on file.

#11441520November 23, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Both low beams stopped working. High beams and all other lights work I replaced the bulbs and the low beams don't work at all and there's no relay or fuse and I can't find the problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441392November 22, 2021
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
While the vehicle was operating the engine had a noticeable amount of power reduction and there were multiple knocking sounds occurring simultaneously. The vehicle was being operated in the right-most furthest lane of a busy freeway in the middle of traffic and at freeway speeds of approximately 65 mph. The issue seemed to originate from the engine causing engine malfunction without engine light indication. There was no engine light prior, during, or post-incident. The vehicle has been professionally inspected, but not thoroughly diagnosed. Altogether, the motor has had a major unidentifiable malfunction and now I have no transportation from the once-reliable vehicle I was using.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440991November 19, 2021
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that after accelerating from a red light the driver-side airbag suddenly deployed. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the passenger side tire had also flattened. During the incident, the driver sustained an injured right arm. The contact indicated that no collision or frontend damage had occurred to cause the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11441000November 19, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact owned a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at night in foggy weather conditions at 55 mph, the contact rear-ended a parked vehicle while trying to avoid hitting a deer. The gear shift was still in DRIVE but the vehicle was completely stopped from the impact. The driver air bag deployed upon impact and the seat belt did not restrain the contact in her seat during impact. The contact was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained to her head from hitting the windshield and her hips from hitting the steering wheel, which prevented her from flying out of the windshield when the seat belt failed. The contact also sustained additional injuries to her shoulder, neck, and back. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was involved in another collision in September 2019, when another vehicle crashed into the contact's rear driver's side door. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer referred the contact to filing a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11441028November 19, 2021
AIR BAGS
I was involved in a fatal accident involving my car that i struck a tree at 65mph and no airbags deployed
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11440761November 17, 2021
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, AIR BAGS
My Kia Forte when I put it in reverse it will jerk back then pause and hardly push itself backwards I have no control same as putting the car into Drive. I also consistently hear water in the bottom of my car swishing around.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440229November 12, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 45 mph, the engine failed and smoke was coming from the engine. The contact's son was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure, and no oil was found in the oil reservoir. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to another dealer, Koons Annapolis Toyota (1107 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401), and the dealer sent documents from the previous dealer, Kia of Bowie, to the manufacturer. The Koons Annapolis Toyota dealer had the vehicle towed to Alexandria Car Clinic (3235 Colvin St, Alexandria, VA 22314) for the engine replacement. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. However, the manufacturer closed the case without notifying the contact and had not responded to the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 66,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440277November 12, 2021
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The driver airbag light came on in June 2021 - I called Kia dealership and they said there was no recall. Last month the passenger airbag light came on. Both appear to not be working. I do not have extended warranty and my car is past warranty. I am wondering if any other Kia owners have a similar problem. I have never been in any major accidents and am an excellent driver. I am hoping there is a recall issued in the near future.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440099November 11, 2021
AIR BAGS
In June 2021 my air bag light came on. Called the dealership to have them check it out. Said they would get back with me to have it checked. 2-3 days later I was driving and hit a pothole air bags deployed while driving busted windshield driver and passenger side airbags deployed. Busted windshield and broke both seatbelts cannot pull out or be safe driving it Kia of America.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439661November 8, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, ENGINE
Im a retired mechanic I have 2016 Kia Forte lx 1.8l 6spd manual from my diagnostic scanner it showed the instrument cluster has a short in it which caused all the warning lights to come on when really the only thing that was really bad was a right front wheel speed sensor I replaced it but with the instrument panel short the ecu cant tell what's working and what's not the car only has 64000 miles and all this is still going on a diagnostic scanner cant tell what real and what's not I will never own another Kia product in my life and [XXX] sure wouldn't recommend one. 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
#11439306November 4, 2021
SEAT BELTS
There was a car accident car was totaled my wife was stuck in the seat the seat belt broke would not unlatch they had to cut her out. There not supposed to break. What if the car cought fire?
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11438842November 1, 2021
SEAT BELTS
The driver side seatbelt keeps unbuckling, this is after checking to make sure it is fastened completely, I have to keep checking the belt throughout the driving period to ensure it is latched. What if all my belts do this, and when my kids are in the car and if a wreck occurs and they fail to protect us? There were multiple incidents when it came unclipped was when I was doing 15mph and up to 60mph.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438846November 1, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The issue had not been resolved, and I am reading countless of reports stating that Kia is picking and choosing who they will help, this is absolutely BS., that NHTSA will not even help with getting Kia to honor their recalls.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438635October 29, 2021
ENGINE
Oil Consumption. Having to put about 3 quarts of oil in before the next recommended oil change. Have been doing that for the last 6+ months.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438643October 29, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, knocking noises were heard and the vehicle was consuming excessive amounts of engine oil after she checked the oil level. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer performed an engine and oil consumption test. The vehicle passed the engine test but failed the oil consumption test. The dealer updated the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software. The dealer informed the contact to bring the vehicle back after 1,000 miles for the oil consumption test. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer after driving the vehicle for 1,000 miles and the vehicle failed the oil consumption test. The dealer informed the contact that they would not perform another oil consumption test and the engine would not be replaced since the vehicle had passed the engine test prior and they only replaced seized engines. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would contact the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438652October 29, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking spot with the vehicle in reverse, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle inadvertently drove forward speedily. The brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact sustained neck, shoulder, and back injuries and sought medical assistance. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11438039October 25, 2021
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that while driving at 50 - 55 mph, noises were heard and smoke came from the front and rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer replaced the engine and fuel pump. However, while the dealer was test driving the vehicle, abnormal noises were heard. The dealer informed the contact that they would contact the manufacturer to replace the engine. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,917.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11437958October 24, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased a 2014 Kia Forte on August 24, 2013. On August 26, 2021 I reported an electrical fire in the trunk of my car to the dealership. I was told not to drive the car but to tow it. My car was towed home because the dealership was closed by the time the tow truck arrived. The insurance company totaled the vehicle. I would still have my vehicle if this electrical fire had not occurred. The dealership stands on they sell and maintain the cars only. They performed the regular maintenance on the vehicle. They never noted any electrical issues. After 3 weeks they also said the car was totaled. They referred me to the makers in California. They had not reported the fire to them. After 2 months of going back and forth , Kia corporate determined they can not find what caused the electrical fire. Therefore they are not responsible. It was not declared arson. My car caught fire in the parking lot where I work in southern Louisiana while I was in northern Mississippi on the job. The car was locked and both keys were with me. The wires, the trunk door, the cloth covering over the top of the trunk, and back window burned. Some water bottles, sprite bottles and the empty bag of cat food they were placed on the day before burned. The plastic binders, the bottom of the trunk, and the spare tire space did not burn. It is clear the car had a defect. The fire could have reached the gas tank and caused an explosion. The wires burned causing the fire. The car set itself on fire. Even though the car is under the 10 year, 100,000 mile Waranty. They will not acknowledge the defect, the warranty, or responsibility. I was told by the Kia representative of my claim that they determined the light bulb did not cause the fire so there is nothing they can do. They could not determine what did cause the fire. They said they are not responsible. I believe they knowingly sold vehicles that would catch fire to a clueless public and did nothing to fix the electrical defects.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11437986October 24, 2021
ENGINE
My 2.0L GDI engine developed a clacking sound and I have been told I need a new engine. It seems to be the same issue as the other Kia models with this same engine that have had their engines recalled. Yet Kia does not include the Forte in the recall, even though it is the same engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11437671October 21, 2021
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
My trunk will not open at all, I have had this issue since July and received a letter about recalls on certain Kia fortes yet mine was not included in the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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