Kia Forte Complaints

2,563 consumer complaints on file.

#11468901June 12, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Engine can stall at lower speeds (10-30 mph) after being on the highway for an extended amount of time. Can also happen after being on the highway, parking and waiting for some time (30 min), and start driving again at lower speeds. Issue becomes more prominent when going uphill slowly (little to no pressure on gas pedal). A rumble can sometimes be felt through the gas pedal too, but not always. Usually the engine starts making some noise ('gurgling') to indicate that the engine is in this state and it usually stall after coasting for some time or pressing very little on the gas (noise may become louder when doing this). I've seen the engine stall around 1000 rpm when doing this. Sometimes the oil light will also start appearing and it seems that the engine is not being responsive when pressing on the gas pedal. Car can stall in these cases or may recover and eventually stall. I've had this issue since the beginning of the year, but an engine check light has not come on for it since then (other than one for a spark plug and coil, but this was addressed in February 2022). Safety concern is mostly when driving in cities or at lower speeds and making unprotected left/right turns where the car may possible stall. Mechanic was able to reproduce this in February but suggested that I take the car to the dealer after difficulty finding the cause . Dealer was unable to solve it in April and suggested waiting for a check engine light.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468762June 11, 2022
ENGINE
On June 5, 2022 at approx. 45 miles per hour, my 2017 Kia Forte just without warning shut off. Luckily there were no cars on the usually busy road so I immediately pulled over to the side of the road and put my emergency flashers on. Was able to start the car and drove another 3 miles home. In my driveway, I opened the hood and smelled a burning smell and a slight coolant smell ( although the operating temp gauge read normal) , and I heard a knocking sound at the bottom of the engine. I turned the engine off, checked the oil level (normal) and coolant level (normal). I scanned the OBD and NO CODES came up. Called Kia dealership (the car is still under warranty with 76000 miles but they cannot look at the car until July 1.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468585June 10, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the rear brake lights would not properly illuminate while depressing the brake pedal. After replacing the brake light bulbs, the failure recurred. The contact indicated that while depressing the brake pedal the passenger’s side brake light would not illuminate however, after releasing the brake pedal, the driver’s side brake light would turn off and the passenger’s side brake light would illuminate. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467905June 7, 2022
ENGINE
All Star Kia of Baton Rouge submitted information to Kia and the recall listed was denied. Cited that the car was put through a bearing test, and even charged me 393 dollars for this test when dealing with this recall directly. My vehicle was up to date with oil changes and verified that it was changed before 6k miles even sometimes before 3k miles. Currently the vehicle has a knock in it. PRIOR to bringing it in All Star Kia of Baton Rouge claimed they had all the parts but the long block suddenly wasn't there when I reached the location. I asked to see the data that they ran and they just showed the word "passed" without any data. All Star Kia then stated that their information connects directly with Kia directly and they don't have that information. They tried to charge me a 8000 for a engine repair. When dealing with the bearing test I told the representative I couldn't afford the 393 I'm just here for the test she said it would be ok and that they were going to use the data to contact Kia about the engine replacement, but needed my verification to run the test via a yes response on a text back to the representative. I was just in fear that my car would catch on fire at some point, and it was turned into a profit and the recall was completely neglected
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467592June 5, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My car is stalling. Stalled on the highway. Has knocking sound. And if i let up off the gas at all it stalls. Will stall in neutral as well. Was involved in an accident last year and airbags did not deploy even though they should have. My car started stalling at 86,000 miles with regular oil changes. I’ve only had the vehicle about a year and a half. My lights also are shorted out due to the trunk not closing all the way and rain water getting in. I’m still making payments. I do not know what to do. I’m a sole caregiver to my terminally Ill mother. I need this car. I do not make very much money.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466938June 1, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while an independent mechanic was performing an inspection, the contact was informed that the passenger’s side rear taillight was faulty and needed to be replaced. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was informed that the failure was due to water intrusion into the taillight housing. Additionally, the contact stated that the wheels were rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466815May 31, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
car was stolen 04/18/2022 took thief's less then 2 minutes to take vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11466532May 28, 2022
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Ticking sound under hood at 35000 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465876May 24, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle caught fire. The vehicle was burning an excessive amount of oil and fuel. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. While his wife was driving, the vehicle was making abnormal engine noises. The contact stated he sustained emotional distress and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to an independent towing lot. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer where it was diagnosed that the pulley needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11465529May 20, 2022
SEATS
When I abruptly have to step on the brakes to stop the vehicle, the backseat behind the driver and the middle seat fall forward. This has happened multiple times.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464989May 17, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly started revving without driver input. The battery and high engine temperature warning lights illuminated before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and diagnosed with engine damage due to the overheating caused by a faulty engine pulley bolt. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 608.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464764May 16, 2022
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Bought a used 2014 Kia Forte from Ourisman Kia in Chantilly, VA in November, 2021. Had 116k miles. 2/20/22, traveling on 55 MPH three lane road, the car suddenly lost all power as I was driving in the left lane. Engine light was flashing. I put on hazards and was able to pull off the highway. On 2/21/22 Ourisman Kia service added oil, cleared error codes, and told us to drive 1000 miles and bring it back. We did not make it to 1000 miles. Car again suddenly went into limp mode and flashing engine light while teenage son was driving on 3/15. Code Po302 was detected. Ourisman Kia service replaced ignition coil and spark plugs 3/17. On 3/23, car again suddenly went into limp mode and engine light started flashing again while on highway. Returned car to Ourisman Kia service 3/24/22 where it still sits. Code P1326 is detected. At any of these three times the car went into limp mode while driving on highway, me or my family could have been in serious accident. Car completely loses power to nothing and then slowly rebuilds to max 2000 RPM / approx 40 MPH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464795May 16, 2022
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, TIRES
Recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464701May 15, 2022
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Vehicle has issues where transmission actuator will stop functioning causing sudden loss of acceleration. Was doing 70 MPH in expressway and vehicle stopped accelerating. Issue has occurred two times, both times being serviced by Dealership, after receiving the vehicle back, issue still persists, vehicle lost acceleration suddenly when turning into a intersection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463706May 7, 2022
ENGINE
I have only had the car about a year. Bought it used and within 7-10 months I’ve had to get spark plugs replaced, and ignition coil replaced as well. I’m having this issue once again after getting the things about fixed in January of 2022. It is now may of 2022 and I’m still having the same issue. I’ve read online that this is a recurring theme with this model.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463612May 6, 2022
ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Engine had loud rattling and seized, was suppose to have long block and short block replaced. Only short block replaced paid $7,441.53. After three months of it being in the dealership, I got my car back. Less than twenty four hours later the check engine light came on. Brought it back, it is the same issues. component in engine that was suppose to be new part failed. It is back at the dealership. The right tail light keeps blowing lights. The component melted the tail light holder.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463385May 4, 2022
STEERING
Steering coupler needed to be replaced. There have been warranty extensions for this part on several Hyundai cars as well as Kia Optima. Same issue as I experienced. No recall yet on my vehicle. Had to pay $500 to get replaced. Failure around 78,000 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463187May 3, 2022
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte Ex. The contact stated when at a complete stop, the driver in front accelerated with the vehicle in reverse and crashed into the front of the contact's vehicle. The entire front vehicle was damaged. The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning lights. The contact was stuck in the vehicle, the seat belt was not functional. The police were notified; however, there was no police report. The contact was not injured or had any medical treatments. The vehicle was driven to the home, then towed to the local auto body shop. There was no diagnosis of the failure with air bags or seat belts faulty. The contact believes the failure could be related to NHTSA Campaign Number 18V363000 (Air Bags). The vehicle has been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463202May 3, 2022
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated she was at standstill at a parking space when another vehicle backed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a bulging disc on the neck, vertigo, and a concussion from the whiplash. The contact did not seek medical attention at the moment but did go to the hospital 8 days later. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to the collision shop and had the bumper, the front passenger side headlight, and the steering column repair. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11462853April 30, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
My steering wheel feels loose and makes a noise when turning. Feels like I need to turn the steering wheel a bit before my tires start to turn and then it clicks again when my wheel goes back to neutral. This also has caused my cruise control and windshield wipers to stop working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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