Kia Forte Complaints (2021)

69 consumer complaints on file.

#11626477November 20, 2024
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This car was sold to me without disclosing that the manufacture failed to have a engine security system on the car to at least "deter" auto theft.If the key to the car was programmed/chipped like other cars, it would provide at least some level of protection. I've already stopped car thieves from trying to steal it once by pure luck, but I'm like the thousands out there constantly worried that someone's going to try to take it in lieu of the social media challenges.The horrible settlement that out government gave us was to upgrade the software which provides NO help with deterring thieves from breaking in and trying to steal it.The reimbursement provided in the settlement is complete joke, and doesn't offer to properly repair or reimburse for after-market security systems.This is evident from the fact that insurance companies still won't insure this car, even after the software upgrade. The insurance companies are telling me that they still won't insure the car even with upgrade because it doesn't stop thieves from breaking into the car and causing comprehensive damage to the car.I can only find a few insurance companies that will insure the car, and the premium cost is twice as much as I pay to insure a car that's worth twice as much money! If our government or NHTSA was truly concerned, they would have demanded that the manufacture make significant change to the ignition/engine starter, i.e., changing out the ignition switch system with a programmed/chipped key, and/or engine starter kill without said key. If the manufacture and the government made this change a required "recall" to properly fix and advertised it nationwide, THEN thieves would at least be less inclined to cause damage, and insurance companies would feel more comfortable about taking the risk. This ongoing expense/problem for me has me seriously considering if anyone in my family should every purchase another KIA/Hyundai product again. Stand behind your product with some INTEGRITY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626428November 20, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
The car is making a noise that we finally found out it was the hood rattling. Took it to the shop and the hood latch looks to be secure, and non=adjustable. Was told that the rubber adjustable hood bumpers are too short, however the dealer said that they are correct, but agreed they can't be adjusted anymore to eliminate the noise. This gives us great safety concern that the hood is not property secured, or has a defective latch, in addition to the constant noise that the dealer said they will only address within the first 12 months or 12K miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11623941November 7, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The issue I’m having was confirmed by the dealership so when I drive on the highway, there’s a specific patch of highway that zigzags the car will follow that zigzag after getting off of the highway onto regular road. The car computer system will start a down shift erratically and feel like the car is pulling backwards. Also there is a lack of acceleration and it feels like the transmission is slipping, but I have confirmed with the dealership that the transmission was not slipping that the computer was shifting erratically. They would reset the computer and the car would would begin driving in a more normal state shifting correctly. I get on the highway again. The car once again will start shifting erratic. When you let go of the gas, the car downshift so many times that the car almost comes to a complete stop without hitting the brakes. The dealership has the car once again trying to figure out what’s going on with the car and why when I go on the highway the computer starts shifting erratically on that specific patch of highway. The car will pull left and right the entire time once you get off the highway the erratic shifting happens the dealership let me borrow a car which is a 2025 Kia Sorrento went on the highway with the car and had the same exact issue. The car they let me borrow is also downshifting erratically and feels like the transmission is slipping. The dealership did confirm that the car was not driving as intended, and they were confused as to why it was happening. They’ve also confirmed that the test that they’ve done on the car itself. had not passed prior to them resetting the computer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11622768October 30, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rental vehicle, a Kia Forte, was provided by a major rental company without addressing the critical anti-theft system vulnerability identified in manufacturer recall CS2305C. This recall was issued in early 2023, approximately one year before the rental date. The vehicle was stolen on April 11, 2024, using the known vulnerability method affecting the steering column and ignition system. The theft occurred despite normal security measures, demonstrating the effectiveness of the exploit that the recall was designed to prevent. Safety Concerns: Rental company knowingly provided vehicle without performing mandatory safety recall service Anti-theft system vulnerability made vehicle susceptible to theft without traditional forced entry Steering column security system failed to prevent unauthorized vehicle operation No warning indicators were present to alert the renter of this safety deficiency Vehicle Status: Theft reported to police and rental company immediately Vehicle was recovered by law enforcement Insurance company has documented the incident Rental company acknowledged the theft but might be continuing rental operations without addressing recall Severity of Safety Risk: Vehicle could be stolen without specialized tools or expertise Known vulnerability puts both renters and public at risk Lack of proper security systems creates hazard of vehicle theft while occupied Unaddressed recall demonstrates systemic safety oversight failure The rental company's maintenance records would confirm that recall service was never performed despite adequate notice period. This incident represents a broader safety concern about rental fleet compliance with critical safety recalls. Police reports, insurance documentation, and rental company correspondence available for investigation upon request. Rental company's response confirms their awareness of the theft incident and their failure to address the known safety defect. NO PRIOR WARNING INDICATORS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11622287October 28, 2024
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at 20 MPH and attempting to complete a left turn. another driver failed to stop at a red light, as a result, the contact's mother was struck by the other vehicle on the passenger's side; however, the air bags did not deploy. In addition, the seat belt failed to retract. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop for body repair but was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to determine why the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and injuries were reported. The contact's mother did not initially seek medical treatment but was later treated by a chiropractor for back pain resulting from non-descript injuries sustained during the accident. The contact also stated that his mother had later been involved in 2 additional vehicle accidents during which the air bags again failed to deploy; no further police reports or injuries were reported. Following the third and most recent incident, the vehicle again was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnosis though the contact's mother was informed by the body repair shop that the collision was insufficient to trigger air bag deployment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11607671August 10, 2024
STEERING
There is loud sound associated with the steering column! It has locked on me before and wouldn’t allow me to turn the vehicle. It has been to the dealership several times only for them to not be able to pinpoint the issue.i have a video but no pictures.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11597359June 27, 2024
ENGINE
I get regularly scheduled oil changes but the car is making a noise like a rod knock
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11593565June 10, 2024
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased this care new, and the manufacture did not disclose that the vehicle was NOT made with an engine immobilizer, or any theft prevention outside a basic door lock. (Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, No. 8:22-ML-3052 JVS(KESx) (C.D. Cal.). I've already stopped the theft once and scared away the thief's, but now I can't find insurance companies to insure the vehicle. The 2 companies that I did find for insurance, charge 15% of the value of the vehicle for comprehensive and collision coverage. Even with the useless class action lawsuit settlement to upgrade the software, this is NOT stopping the thieves from breaking into the cars, and NOT impressing the insurance companies either as they won't insure this expensive asset. I've never seen so much deception in the automotive industry. The government should mandate a recall to install a KIA or aftermarket security system in this car with a starter kill & visual blinking lights to stop the theft. They should also be required to make national awareness messages to communicate that all affected vehicles will have security systems installed and theft will no longer be possible. This would STOP the problems and continuing extreme costs to the customers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588578May 13, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
The hood on my car seems to be loose as it rattles when closed and driving. It does appear to be latched, however I'm concerned that the hood will come loose and blow up in front of the windshield while driving causing a life threatening accident. The hood bumpers on the inside of the hood are not adjustable, and/or long enough to cushion the hood to stop the rattling either.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11575700March 6, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driving down the highway and sunroof exploded. Sounded like a gun shot
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11573666February 23, 2024
STEERING
The electric steering column motor has worn parts causing the steering wheel to make a rubbing noise. There is a TSB out for this problem but for cars only manufactured in certain plants. My car was not manufactured in one of the plants that generated the TSB but I have that problem and Kia will not fix it. TSB CHA 084
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564996January 11, 2024
ENGINE
While driving on the interstate, multiple dash lights came on, the engine started knocking and shutting down. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and was found that the oil plug had fallen out, causing the oil to drain out and ruin the motor.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11563455January 4, 2024
ENGINE, STEERING
Transmission overheating and dragging… weird smell and noise and scrubbing sound when turning the steering wheel. Only 50k miles on car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548829October 7, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Service engine light turns off then comes back on. Get message engine failure. Scanner at dealership scanned 15 codes relating to misfires on all cylinders. Positive battery terminal caked up real bad causing arcing and melting plastic. Last I heard from dealership was possibly a engine replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525170June 3, 2023
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER
I am so sadden and broke. My Kia 2021 Forte was stollen.The car has just about 8k miles. The thieves had busted rear passenger side glass, torn down steering column, opened electric wiring Skelton and taken away the car. Police said they found my damaged car. I was also told that my damaged car was towed and was kept at auto body shop. I'm so depressed, upset. Its difficult to express in words how saddened I'm at loss in all aspects - physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially since the vehicle was stolen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524584May 31, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My Kia forte 21 that I owned for less than 2 years, stalled out while driving on 20 April 23. The engine light came on. I checked the oil and there was none , despite having regular maintenance being performed. No light indicators appeared informing me that my vehicle had no oil left. My vehicle had 21,234 miles when the engine failed. Kia has yet to contact me or assist me with this matter. I could’ve possibly died while driving on the highway and my car randomly stalling out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520605May 5, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving down a highway with no other cars near me and heard a loud noise (sounded like a gunshot). I pulled over and my sunroof had exploded. The glass was facing upwards not downwards. It appears it exploded from the inside not by a foreign object.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11504550January 30, 2023
ENGINE
Engine is very noisy for quite some time before getting quiet. 40000 miles. Lifters making a lot of noise. Possibly a failing oil pump.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11491188October 27, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle was stolen and recovered a couple of days later. The only damage to the vehicle is a broken window and broken ignition dash Currently trending is the Kia challenge where vehicles from 2011-2021 are missing tan anti-theft feature that makes it an easier target to steal. Kia is aware of this and not doing anything about this, not even sending a letter advising their customer of this trend and how we can protect our vehicles. The vehicles need to be recalled because currently millions of customers are driving a vehicle that can be stolen at any time with something as basic as a USB cable. Kia needs to take responsibility and accountability for this major flaw. Now customers have to be left dealing with the insurance and proving to them they are not involved in their own vehicle thefts. I have police report number, still waiting for the actual police report.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490568October 24, 2022
POWER TRAIN
It seems the car may have a defect in the transmission(Dual Clutch). The car makes at times an abrupt stop, for like a second or two, after I press on the gas. When I'm driving, especially at low speeds I can hear the transmission's parts make a grinding sounds, loud clicks. When I'm breaking, it's not smooth at all; I feel the car pulling a bit when switching to lower gears during the breaking process. When I have the car on and not moving (i.e parked), I can hear sounds emanating from the bottom of the car, like parts grinding against other parts. I have not seen any indicator light turn on from the vehicle, to this day. I have taken it to the dealership before, more than once, but they haven't found any issues with it. Still I feel they have not done a full inspection of the car, and I feel something is off with the transmission, like there's something loose somewhere in the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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