Kia Forte Complaints

2,563 consumer complaints on file.

#11477416August 3, 2022
STEERING, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My main issue is concerning a critical design flaw that has been found due to a social media challenge called the Kia Challenge where people are able to start up and steal a Kia after only using a USB cord adapter (found near the key start on the steering wheel) without needing a key. This has caused a concerning increase in the theft of Kias across the country which has also affected my insurance rates. After repeatedly trying to contact Kia for two days on August 2nd and August 3rd, I was finally able to get in contact with customer service concerning the recent issue with Kias (model years of 2011 to 2021 with manual key start steering wheels) that are being stolen by just using a USB cord to turn on the car without a key. After waiting on hold for an hour, the customer service agent was extremely rude and uncaring about my concerns as my area is also being affected by these recent car thefts. My insurance rates have also gone up due to the overall riskiness of owning these cars and their likelihood of being stolen because it has a key start for the engine. After doing research on the information available to me, I found out that Kia higher-ups approved measures to cut the costs by not including automobile immobilizers that have been the industry standard for a little over 20s years. It makes no sense that my older 2018 model Camry has industry standard parts but my 2021 Kia Forte does not. I am highly aggravated that I am stuck having to pay for a vehicle that has a higher likelihood of being stolen all because the company wanted to save a few dollars and not include immobilizers on their cars until the 2022 models. I am highly upset that Kia, their reps, and dealers have displayed an abhorrent lack of concern in trying to fix this issue as this prevents me from having to go to important job sites for work. This issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible. Link to story https://www.insider.com/tiktok-kia-challenge-using-usb-cables-to-steal-cars-2022-7
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11477245August 2, 2022
ENGINE
2016 Kia Forte Had the oil changed ~15 miles ago and now there’s no oil in it. There’s no leaks either. Mechanic said that the car is just using it up and exhausting it. It has happened twice. The check engine light has been coming on and blinking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11476992August 1, 2022
ENGINE
I started my car on Friday July 29th@9:45 am. The car sounded like it backfired. Then i attempted to drive to work thinking it was a fluke.. but a mile away the engine sputtered and then stopped. I had no warning lights come on in my car ever. I had the car towed to the local dealer kia(cherry hill nj) and they havent done anything for me yet. They keep telling me there are open recalls on the car… but I can not fine this recall info anywhere. I was never notified of a recall, via, mail, phone, email. I dont understand. My car has 51k miles on it, and it was purchased in late september of 2017. So i an within the warranty, and dont understand why this even happened!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11476833August 1, 2022
ENGINE
Engine knocking. Entire engine needs replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11476177July 27, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Since 2019 I have been having an issue with unknown individuals hacking in to my car and verbally harrasing me while I'm driving. The have yelled at me and at times had clise calls due their disturbance. No matter how loud i raise the volume on the radio, they will yell louder at me. Calling me inappropriate names, talking inappropriatly to me, and multiple accusations, even though I don't know them. Help!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11475921July 26, 2022
FIRERELATED
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that his VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on the street in front of his residence, the vehicle caught fire. The fire burned the nearby curbside and lawn as well. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. Police and fire department reports were filed. The vehicle remained parked in front of the contact's residence and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11475525July 24, 2022
AIR BAGS
At approximately 60000 miles my airbag light came on. Then it would go off. Now it just stays on. I went to the dealership and they said I would have to pay for diagnostics and any repairs. I currently have around 64000 miles. I drive it very little. Bought it used in 2017 with 19000 miles. I see that other Kia’s have their airbag light go on as well and are being recalled but not my year. I have not been in any accidents with this vehicle as well. Just seems that this diagnostic should be done for free since it’s a safety concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11475167July 21, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:BULBS
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the message "Check Brake Lights" displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. However, upon inspecting the brake lights, her father noticed that the brake lights were operating as designed. The contact stated after her mother had parked the vehicle, her father inspected the brake lights for a second time and noticed that the brake lights had failed and the brake light bulbs had melted. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11474897July 20, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that it was discovered the vehicle would not start due to a battery that was fully drained. After recharging the battery, the rear brake lights remained illuminated even while the vehicle was turned off. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the brake light stopper pad had failed causing the brake lights to remain illuminated. The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V773000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 30,000. The contact stated that they paid to have the battery replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11474504July 18, 2022
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the trunk release failed to open the trunk as designed. The contact was able to use the key fob to open the trunk. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V622000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) 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 not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11474534July 18, 2022
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
In or around July 10th, 2022, the vehicle’s engine began making knocking sounds on several occasions while my wife was driving. On July 20th, 2022, I brought it into the dealership (Dick Hannah Kia, Vancouver, WA) where it was diagnosed as a problem with a bearing of a piston rod within the engine. On my drive to the dealership, I experience a loss of power, knocking sounds from the engine, and the oil light come on indicating a loss of oil pressure. Vehicle has 70,xxx miles. Dealership has advised me that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, but is failing to cover this under powertrain warranty. Seeing that this an engine similar to those noted in a NHTSA as related to Flaherty et al. v. Hyundai Motor Company et al., I wanted to file a safety report so that others are aware of the potential safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11474580July 18, 2022
ENGINE
I took my 2018 Kia Forte LX to get an oil change on June 28, 2022 at Jiffy Lube. A week after my oil change, I noticed that oil was leaking from my car. I went back to Jiffy Lube to have them inspect for a leak. I was informed that there was a puncture on the top of my oil pan and it would need to be replaced. I bought a new oil pan from advanced auto parts and had my mechanic change it. He informed me that it looked to be a manufacture defect. I googled recalls for 2018 Kia Forte's and saw there has been a recall for some models. Recall number SC210. I would like to know if I could be reimbursed for the oil pan. I have my receipt from Advanced Auto parts and I have pictures of the puncture. Also my mechanic put my old oil pan in a box, if that is needed as well.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11474366July 17, 2022
ENGINE
experienced engine knocking noise when driving on freeways, and it got progressively louder as time went on. brought the issue to the local Kia dealership and it was resolved at the time, but wanted to report the incident so NHTSA can document this. thanks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11474129July 15, 2022
ENGINE
Rod bearing has failed, as I was driving my car jolted and die as I was on the highway and almost got hit in the rear due to my car not being able to move. Unknown,unknown.i did not have any warning lights prior or after this happen
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11473854July 14, 2022
ENGINE
Vehicle has a engine oil leak.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11473893July 14, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STRUCTURE:BODY
Water in the rear tail light. Dealer is trying to collect money from me, even though the other service tech said if it was not moisture but water retention that is would be under warranty. It is evident in the internet car forums that this has been happening to many current and previous Forte models and a factory know defect. The other issue is the gas tank lid won't opened. I had it in to be checked 7 times. They've replaced the spring, the replaced the lid. The Tech claimed yesterday that he couldn't replicate and when I picked up the car I couldn't open the gas tank lid.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11473900July 14, 2022
ENGINE
Coil pack failed - car died with no warning driving down interstate. My mechanic found a code for a cylinder and replaced the coil pack. The car started acting the same as it did in the days prior to the engine dying while driving. I took it back to the mechanic and it showed no code. Started researching and saw a recall on coil packs on a third party website. Took it to dealership and they verified this but said they could not replace because one of the coil packs was after market and would not be reimbursed by manufacturer for any of them if all four were not returned. The manufacturer tells me there is no recall except for the trunk latch and that there is a service action they are not required to cover because it isn’t a safety issue. Seeing as how I nearly got ran over by an 18 wheeler, I’d say that it is a safety issue and my mechanic assures me it is not normal to have to replace coil packs this early. Since the problems are intermittent and no code shows up until the could pack fails, it is unsafe to drive. I’ve also noticed many people having the same problem on several complaint web sites. Someone is going to get hurt or killed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11473685July 13, 2022
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 58 MPH, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. While the contact was pulling over to the side of the roadway to see where the sound was coming from, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was unable to speak with a representative at the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The failure mileage was 98,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11473181July 10, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, STEERING
Car shuts down while driving. ABS and traction control light comes on, cruise control shuts off, power steering light comes on and no power steering, screens and radio stop working, no a/c or heat, car finally completely shuts down.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11471606June 29, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Fuel door latch does not release properly preventing me from filling the vehicle and possibly running out of fuel while in traffic
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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