Kia Forte Complaints

2,563 consumer complaints on file.

#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
#11688057September 18, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Equipment premature failure. Dashboard screen bubbling and separation. Beyond 36 months warranty but early failure 2020 vehicle with 28,000 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688218September 18, 2025
ENGINE
my life was unsafe by being put in this vehicle whos engine was damaged and caught on fire while driving it as a MILITARY soldier.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687901September 17, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Slow to shift and accelerate
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687567September 16, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Severe, early onset clear coat paint damage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687569September 16, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine suddenly seized, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687610September 16, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a scanner determined that there was a failure with the crankshaft. The contact replaced the spark plugs and crankshaft; however, the failure returned. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic ,where a defect with the timing belt was found, and the mechanic discovered metal shavings inside the oil pump. The contact stated that an oil change was performed on the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The contact was then informed by the mechanic that the failure was possibly linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V260000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687694September 16, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I am writing to you today regarding a persistent issue I'm experiencing with my 2017 Kia Forte. On several occasions, while driving at various speeds and coming to a stop, the vehicle has stalled. Each time, I was able to restart the vehicle after the stall. I took the car to an independent mechanic, who discovered debris from the skirt in the oil and informed me that the engine would need to be replaced. Additionally 2 days upon purchase the coils were replaced and about 5 times after that I am concerned that this issue may be related to an unknown recalls for both the coil and the engine, as I've seen similar reports. The current mileage on the vehicle is 134,071. I have already notified the manufacturer about this failure but they stated they couldn't do anything even through this started 2 days after my purchase I would appreciate any assistance you can provide in resolving this matter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687426September 15, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact leased a 2022 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the vehicle failed to respond while the gear shifter was in reverse(R). There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was test-driven, and the dealer became aware that the transmission was slipping. The dealer inspected the vehicle and found clutch debris inside the transmission. The dealer cleaned the transmission, replaced the dual clutch, and reprogrammed the TCM and clutch actuator. The contact stated that the failure persisted after the dealer had serviced the vehicle. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear, and the vehicle was jerking, and the warning light was illuminated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687131September 13, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car steers to tilting directions. Doesn't drive straight especially on the highway. Headlights are horrible.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687028September 13, 2025
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car has been in several times for repair clutch assembly clutch plate, flywheel transmission, and the problem continues with shifting it does not want to go into gear it grinds even with the clutch fully to the floor. It will not go into first gear, not going to reverse intermittently and sometimes it will go from 1st to 5th third gear is missing sometimes first gear is missing this can happen at any given time shifting putting it into reverse sometimes it will not go into gear. It will just grind gears or taking off from a dead stop. It will not go into first gear. It will automatically go into third gear even though you’re putting it over and trying to put it into first gear, it will not engage in first gear. It will go to third gear and if you try to put it in a different gear, it will grind. Kia is aware of the issue with my vehicle and another vehicle that is experiencing the same problems and is unable to fix them this is an ongoing intermittent issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687003September 12, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
The lane assist malfunction and periodically jerks. Very unsafe I no longer use this feature . To keep control of the vehicle. I never got it inspected. As the lane assist was in use and it would jerk it would alert me of a lane departure . I mention this to include every known problem I have experienced with the vehicle. The problem That brought me here. Is my engine light came on today. Leading up to this. I have had oil leaks since I've owned the car. Im adding oil in between oil changes due to it being low. In the beginning it was a hint of smell of gas in the oil. I was informed to do more frequent oil changes. Over time the smell of gas grew stronger . No Indication to a problem then. Now the smell of gas is prominent in the oil. When the dip stick is checked its always needing more oil and smells of gas and has blackness like burning in the oil. Now there's a check engine light on. And everything I looked up says to discontinue driving the car. I am having a mechanic look at it with a code reader.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686740September 11, 2025
STEERING
The steering coupler clunks when I turn my steering wheel
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11686444September 10, 2025
ENGINE
Rod knock in engine, catastrophic failure
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
#11685206September 5, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel input is not working properly. Will not allow fuel to go into fuel tank. Risk of fuel spilling and fire hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684783September 3, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Forte GT. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH on an off-ramp and making a right turn, the lane assist feature had malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to steer and crash into the guard rail. During the incident, the passenger side of the vehicle was damaged along with the guard rail. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was driven away. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Previously, while driving, the vehicle had experienced transmission failures, causing the vehicle to jerk and shudder while attempting to accelerate. The RMPS failed to increase over 1.5 and failed to accelerate during normal mode however, in sports mode, the vehicle performed normally. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 14,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684362September 2, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On [XXX] at [XXX], I was driving on [XXX] , when I noticed smoke come from the left side of the interior of the car near the fuse box. Within seconds, the fuse box exploded, and a fire developed. The fire engulfed the entire left side of the interior of the car. the car shut down and I was able to pull over to the side of the road. I tried to put the fire out with my left foot, but couldn't stop the fire. Luckily, I had 5 bottles of water with me in the car. I put all of the 5 water bottles on the fire and eventually put out the fire. But the smoke was so severe that it filled the entire car. I couldn't breath. I fell out of the car and hurt my knees. I noticed that my left toes were burnt and my new shoes that I had bought were ruined. I tried to call 911 but my phone was not working. Again I tried to call 911 and succeeded. The NJ State Police arrive 15 minutes later. I was towed to a KIA dealership in Burlington NJ. They declared the car a total loss with over $18,000 worth of damage. Every wire in the car was destroyed INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684559September 2, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I own a 2016 Kia Forte LX and have been experiencing repeated and dangerous electrical failures with the headlight and lighting system. When I turn on the headlights, they sometimes do not come on at all, or they shut off unexpectedly while driving. In some cases, using the turn signal causes the headlights to cut out completely. The interior dash lights flicker between dim and bright, and the tail lights are also affected. This is a serious safety hazard because it results in sudden and complete loss of exterior lighting (headlights and tail lights) while the vehicle is in motion at night. It significantly increases the risk of an accident. Online owner forums and repair shops confirm this issue is widespread in Kia vehicles, often traced to a failing multifunction headlight/turn signal switch. Despite the frequency of these failures, there has been no recall issued by Kia. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this defect in the 2016 Kia Forte and related models, as it directly compromises driver and passenger safety.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684597September 2, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
In forte koups installed with a factory wing allows for water to collect in taillights causeing a no start issue for my vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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