Kia Forte Complaints
2,563 consumer complaints on file.
- #11563135January 2, 2024ENGINE
Engine clicking noticed . Then light came on. Mechanic fixed. Engine light came on coil needed to be replaced a week later. Clicking got louder took to dealer said Engine wasn't getting enough oil that there was none on dipstick (took photo as proof it had oil). No other explanations no other solutions other than replacing Engine. Engine seized up un able to upload estimate bc of website issues
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11562886January 1, 2024FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Starting around 50k mileage, the engine experienced misfire-like issues: rough idling & transitory reduction of power during acceleration and cruising. This was brought to the dealership multiple times, but the check engine light had never come on, nor were there any error codes saved in the OBD system. After 60k mileage, the check engine light did come on temporarily, but would automatically clear, still without any error codes saved in OBD. Around 65k mileage, the vehicle could not accelerate to highway speeds, so I had it towed to the dealer and refused to take it back until they found the issue. They then observed an error saved in OBD showing a misfire on cylinder 3. Replaced all spark plugs + coil packs, which seems to have corrected the problem. After 70k mileage, I observed that the engine burns oil, about 1 quart per 3k miles. This rate has stayed consistent up to the current 100k mileage.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11562352December 28, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11562387December 28, 2023STEERING
Flex coupler went bad - $500 replacement. The Optima was already recalled for this same part. Please recall the Forte lines so that we can be reimbursed for this obvious Kia issue.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11561593December 22, 2023ENGINE
I was driving 65 mph and all of sudden the speed got lowered to 45 mph even I was pushing accelerator. Also I heard the engine knocking noise when I pushed accelerator hard. I had to stop and parked nearby church parking lot. I called a mechanic to diagnose, and he said the engine was broken and needed to be replaced with a new engine.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11560599December 18, 2023STEERING
Clunking sound in steering column. Steering Coupler in Steering motor defect Has failed in my steering column. Dealer refuses to repair under other agreements.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11560738December 18, 2023ENGINE
Car died in reverse. Check engine light came on and turned off. Took to mechanic replaced spark plugs. Then 6 days later had another misfire replaced coils. At that a clicking noise was heard. Brought to kia dealership who said knocking come from engine but did not say what. Upon parking car completely died in drive. Engine failed.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11560539December 17, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
After 2 hours of cruise control om, Collision avoidance warning lights came on for 2nd time. Brought is to dealership the first time it happened and they could nt find anything wrong,
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11560291December 15, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Hello My complaint is why is it taking KIA so long on the HECU electrical short issue. According to your website this all started at the end of Sept. We got a recall notice on dated Nov 14. When I call and visit the Kia dealership they are on hold waiting for updates from corporate I guess. Same thing when I e-mail KIA Customer care. See response from Kia below. ========================================================== We are following up regarding your web submission for recall remedy status for repairs to begin. We apologize to hear of the concern and appreciate the opportunity to assist with this matter. Unfortunately we do not have an eta for the remedy however once made available an second notice will be sent to you. ============================================================ Their work around is to park the car outside. Since their previous recall was for the ease of stealing the car AND it's getting very cold here in Minnesota that is not a good option. Given the fact that the car could catch on fire and possibly burn a house down or kill someone this needs a higher priority. Thankyou for your time. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] 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
- #11560192December 14, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the taillights and brake lights were inoperable due to an electrical short. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11559887December 13, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the MIL warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11559953December 13, 2023LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
My Lane keep assist in my 2023 Kia Forte GT Line does not function as intended. It frequently pulls me into the lane with oncoming traffic as well as the lanes next to me. I'm unable to pinpoint when, where or why but I do know it typically happen in one spot of my town but everywhere else seems random. It's incredibly dangerous.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11559666December 12, 2023ENGINE
Driving one day and check engine light came on. Car began to stutter and a billow of white smoke came from rear. Vehicle was disabled. Towed to Kia dealership. Dealership states they are doing a cylinder test. The car has been at the dealership since 08/14/2023. I have reached out to the dealer 5 times and have not gotten a response. Each time I have called I have been told that a service advisor will call me back. They won’t even tell me what’s wrong or causing the car to shut off and overheat. Car starts normally and then within ten minutes white smoke appears from the exhaust. Also hot liquid steams off engine. Last time I contacted the dealer was on 11/30/23. They said a service advisor would call me back. It is currently 12/12/23 and my issue is still not resolved. Car is still at dealership and has not moved. I am the second owner of the vehicle and have a extended warranty through a third party.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11559684December 12, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40–45 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11559560December 11, 2023SERVICE BRAKES
In November 2022 the brake pedal kept sticking to the floor or halfway down causing sudden jerk of the car. Took it to Paramount Kia in Hickory North Carolina. This was a recall. THey repaired the problem. In October, 2023, same thing is happening again. Went to Kia dealership in December. They even kept it over night because this happens in colder weather. They drove it in the morning. THe temperature did not drop enough. THey called me and said there was nothing wrong and to come get the car. I had called them before this and told them the same thing was happening again like it did in 2022. They were familiar with the car. They basically refused to help me. I let a relative drive the car when weather was cold and they told me when they put on the brake, they almost went through the windshield. I need this to be fixed again. Dealership had told me they were not going to replace the same part a second time.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11559571December 11, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11559408December 10, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NHTSA safety recall 23V652000 addresses this defect with my vehicle, but the manufacturer has provided no credible or valid solution that positively remedies the vehicle defect. I am horrified of driving my vehicle since reading about the fire hazard that exists. Preliminary findings provided by Kia confirm the HECU/ABS module may leak brake fluid due to a faulty seal. Leaking fluid can come in contact with an adjacent multi-pin electrical connector, igniting the brake fluid and quickly leading to an engine fire. Kia has also stated a permanent solution is not yet available, while only issuing an interim recall. Furthermore, the proposed replacement part, consisting of a fuse, is unavailable for now. I am confused and frustrated with this solution. How will a fuse remedy a leaking brake fluid defect, which is the primary fault? This unacceptable action is a flagrant example of Kia's painfully slow and inadequate response to a serious defect. Drivers of affected vehicles are forced to endure aggravation, exasperation and much anxiety during the long wait for a repair. Already, my vehicle is on a list of models identified by Kia to have been manufactured without immobilizer modules. Kia has done nothing about remedying my immobilizer problem beyond providing a steering wheel locking device, which my auto insurance has deemed as insufficient and subsequently raised my premium. Lastly, my well-maintained vehicle, with only 28,570 miles on the odometer, may also be affected by the familiar Theta engine design manufacturing defect in the crankshaft bearings that fail and indirectly cause a connecting rod to break. The broken connecting rod then smashes through the engine block, hot engine oil spills out and onto the neighboring exhaust manifold. The end result is a raging engine compartment fire. Kia has never contacted me about this defect.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11559293December 9, 2023AIR BAGS
The airbags did not deploy when a large jeep turned into the driver side door.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11559201December 8, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11558895December 7, 2023UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The antitheft software upgrade that Kia installed in my vehicle after it was stolen the first time DID NOT WORK. My car was stolen again WITH the software upgrade installed. The car was locked and parked in my apartment parking lot and the Kia Boys smashed the driver side front window, ripped open the column, and were able to turn the ignition and steal my car.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0