Kia Forte Koup Complaints

52 consumer complaints on file.

#11665926June 9, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte Koup. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, white smoke was coming from under the hood. While the independent mechanic was starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The mechanic turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that prior to the smoke on a separate occasion, while the contact's daughter was driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had caused the battery, starter, and knock sensor to fail. The vehicle was repaired for the prior failures. The contact stated that after the most recent failure, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the engine had failed and damaged the battery, starter, and knock sensor. The independent mechanic replaced the battery, starter, and knock sensor. Additionally, the engine needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647234March 9, 2025
ENGINE
In December after getting letter in the mail saying I needed an upgrade to my car's knock sensor I took it to a Kia dealership. I received word from the dealership that my car had suffered a lower crank shaft failure and would need to be replaced. The dealership told me that this was a known issue and gave me a number to call to file a claim. After months of trying to get follow-up from the Kia claim office, they denied the claim. They said my engine had suffered failure before I had the knock sensor update and if it would have occurred after they would have replaced the engine. Kia knows that there is a severe issue with the engines they put in these vehicles and they are failing to fix the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11414806May 2, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
THESE VEHICLES ARE ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS! I'VE BEEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS MY ENTIRE CAREER FOR 15 YEARS WITH A LEVEL CERTIFICATIONS AND ASE'S. I STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SIMPLE MATTER OF ANY ACCELERATION OVER 2900 RPM IT STARTS KNOCKING. I WILL NOT PUT MY FAMILY OR MYSELF IN THE DANGER OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER. IF SOMETHING WERE TO BREAK WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE RESULTS COULD BE DEVASTATING! I'VE CONTACTED KIA MANY TIMES REGARDING THIS MATTER YET I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT KNOCKING HIS NORMAL THEY CALL IT A PING. I TOLD THEM I USE 91 OCTANE EVERY TIME I FILL SO THERE'S NO WAY OF PINGING FROM PRE DETONATION. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS MAINTAINED AND OIL CHANGES ARE ALWAYS DONE EARLY. AFTER BEING TOLD MANY TIMES THAT THE KIA 2010 IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL I HAVE TAKEN MY OWN ACTION TO FIXING THE PROBLEM. UPON TEARDOWN I HAVE DISCOVERED ROD BEARING DAMAGE AND A OIL PAN FULL OF MINOR FLAKES FROM ROD MATERIAL. DUE TO ME KEEPING RPM SLOW I WILL HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE ROD BEARINGS WITHOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS BUT WHO KNOWS ON THIS MOTOR. I JUST WORRY ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE THAT DRIVE NORMALLY AND COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE A MOTOR FAILURE AND POSSIBLE FIRE FROM A ROD BREAKING THROUGH THE BLOCK. I SURE HOPE KIA DOES SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11403758March 18, 2021
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY KIA OF FONTANA (16272 S. HIGHLAND AVE, FONTANA, CA 92336) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF AN ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC CODE THAT WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONSUMPTION VALVE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11355300September 16, 2020
ENGINE
THE MOTOR BLEW AT 55,000 MILES
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11230659July 10, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I PURCHASED THIS KIA IN 2014, SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD TO REPEATEDLY REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS, TAIL / BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. THE PLASTIC PART OF THE CONNECTORS HAVE DRIED OUT AND ARE BREAKING INTO PIECES DUE TO THE WIRING GETTING TOO HOT, AS THE PARTS THAT ARE LEFT ARE NOW STARTING TO MELT. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL DIFFERENT CARS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS AS MUCH AS IN THIS CAR. ALSO, ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DOESN'T WANT TO UNLATCH. I WILL BE PARKED AND IT WOULD SOMETIMES TAKE ABOUT 2 MIN FOR IT TO UNLATCH. SOMETIMES I WOULD THINK IT WASN'T EVER GOING TO UNLATCH AND I WOULD BE TRAPPED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11229662July 5, 2019
ENGINE
DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE RPMS DROPPED TO ZERO. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT ON THE SHOULDER WITHOUT ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THE ENGINE SEIZED UP BUT THE OIL LOOKED FINE. THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THIS WAS ODD. THE CAR HAD 101,000 MILES IN IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11217999June 5, 2019
ENGINE
THETA II ENGINE RECALL. A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO GUIDE IT OFF THE INTERSTATE TO A SAFE SPOT ON THE SIDE. THE CAR WOULDNT STARY BACK AT ALL. COME TO FIND OUT, THE RODS FAILED AND LOCKED THE ENGINE UP. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, ONE OF THE THINGS I DID WAS CHECK EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD INCLUDING THE OIL. THE OIL WAS FULL. AFTER READING ALOT ON THIS ISSUE, THERE IS ALOT OF KIA FORTE AND FORTE KOUP THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT YET THEY WONT INCLUDE THEM IN THE RECALL. IT HAS THE SAME ENGINE IN IT AS THE OTHER KIA'S THAT GOT RECALLED SO WHAT MAKES THEM ANY DIFFERENT. I REPLACED THE FIRST ENGINE WITH A USED ONE AND I PUT 4K MIKES ON IT AND IT DID THE SAME THING SO ANOTHER $4,000 LATER, I PURCHASED A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE. IT'S BEEN AN EXPENSIVE FIX OUT OF MY OWN POCKET WHEN IT SHOULDNT HAVE BEEN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11205683May 6, 2019
WHEELS
I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 77 IN CHARLOTTE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. WHILE DRIVING, MY WHEEL HAD A STRUCTURAL FAILURE. I RETRACED MY ROUTE AND DO NOT SEE ANYTHING ON THE ROUTE (I.E. MAJOR OBSTACLE). REGARDLESS, THIS FAILURE IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS IN THE PAST AND HAVE RUN OVER SUBSTANTIAL ROAD DEBRIS AND NEVER HAD THE WHEEL ALMOST COME OFF OF THE CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11185477March 9, 2019
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, WHEELS
I WAS CROSSING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION TURNING LEFT RIGHT AFTER THE LIGHT HAD TURNED GREEN. NEXT THING I KNEW IT I SAW ANOTHER CAR, IT WAS A CAMRY, FLYING THROUGH THE LIGHT RIGHT FOR ME. IT WAS RAINING HERE IN FLORIDA THAT DAY, AND OF COURSE GOING TO BRAKE SO ABRUPTLY I SLID IN ADDITION TO THE SPEED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. I WAS T-BONED AT THAT INTERSECTION DIRECTLY NEXT TO WHERE THE AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE BEEN AND THEY NEVER DEPLOYED.I NOW SUFFER FROM 3 HERNIATED DISCS ON THE SPINE PINCHING THE NERVES, AND I DEFINITELY BELIEVE THIS AIRBAG NOT GOING OFF IS TO BLAME.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11185115March 8, 2019
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. FULLY STOPPED, MY CAR IS ON 1000RPMS, I WILL BE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED AND MY RPM SHOOTS ALL THE WAY UP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11183518March 1, 2019
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ENGINE
ONE MORNING I STARTED THE CAR AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR ALSO MADE A KNOCKING/TICKING SOUND THAT WAS NOT USUAL AND THE ENGINE HAD AN ABNORMAL SOUND TO IT WHEN STATIONED AND IN MOTION. IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE, ESPECIALLY AS IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER RIGHT AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON. WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM AND FOUND OUT THAT THE LIGHT WAS FOR A CODE ABOUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD (BUTTERFLY) VALVES NOT OPENING/CLOSING PROPERLY. IT LATER ENDED UP BEING COMPLETE INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILING. THE CAR REQUIRED A COMPLETELY NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF THIS. IT ONLY HAD 82,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. IT ALSO HAD PROBLEMS STARTING OCCASIONALLY BEFORE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE CONTROL MODULE (VCM) WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AT THE SAME TIME OF THE ENGINE FAILURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11183098February 28, 2019
ENGINE
MY MOTOR SLUNG A ROD WITHOUT REASON AT 90K MILES. I HAVE THE SAME 2.4 LITER MOTOR IN MY KIA FORTE AS THE MOTORS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED IN THE OPTIMAS. THE JUST FOUND THAT THIS ENGINE FAILURE IS HAPPENING IN THE 1.6 LITER SOULS AS WELL YET THEY REFUSE TO FIX MY CAR BECAUSE THE CAR ITSELF ISN'T LISTED UNDER THE RECALL. PLEASE HELP! I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH DOWN THE HWY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD "THUNK" AND A LIGHT TAPPING FROM THE ENGINE. NO DASH LIGHTS EVER CAME ON, THE CAR NEVER RAN HOT, AND I HAD PLENTY OF OIL BUT JUST TO BE SAFE I PULLED OVER ANYWAYS. I HAD A MECHANIC COME MEET ME ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT TO BE SRE IT WAS OK TO DRIVE AND WHEN HE JACKED THE CAR UP OIL CAME POURING OUT AND HE COULD SEE A VISIBLE 4 INCH HOLE IN THE BLOCK WHERE A ROD HAD SEEMINGLY SLUNG WITHOUT REASON. I TOOK IT UP TO KIA TO GET IT REPLACED AS THE MOTOR WAS UNDER RECALL AND NOT ONLY DID THEY NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS A "DIFFERENT MODEL # OF THE 2.4 LITER MOTOR" BUT THEY ALSO CHARGED ME $125 BUCKS JUST TO LOOK AT IT AND TELL ME THEY WEREN'T GOING TO FIX IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11181125February 19, 2019
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA FORTE KOUP. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 68-70 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD. THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT IMPACT FROM A FOREIGN OBJECT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. TEAM KIA OF EL CAJON (541 N JOHNSON AVE, EL CAJON, CA 92020, (619) 444-7200) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11174951February 7, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
THE CAR STARTED DRIVING SLUGGISH OUT OF NOWHERE AND I TOOK IT IN TO A MECHANIC WHO TOOK IT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE WHERE IT ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED SMOKING AND THE ENGINE SEIZED UP WHILE IN MOTION. THE CAR HAD ITS OIL CHANGE AND WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11165023January 7, 2019
AIR BAGS
I RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE THE MOST RECENT RECALL WITH THE AIR BAG FIXED. AFTER THE REPAIR OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF A MALFUNCTION OCCURRED DURING THE REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THE AIR BAG MODULE AND CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11165530January 4, 2019
ENGINE
MY KIA FORTE KOUP 2013 SX HAS ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO NOTICE. MY SON WAS DRIVING 73MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AND ALMOST LOST HIS LIFE TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AFTER SAID FAILURE. MY CAR HAS 92K MILES AND I AM THE SECOND OWNER. I HAVE HAD ALL MAINTENANCE DONE AT KIA ON TIME AND AS RECOMMENDED. DEALER TELLS ME THAT CONNECTING ROD PIERCED A WHOLE IN MY ENGINE BLOCK AND WANT $4800.00 + TAX TO INSTALL A USED ENGINE WITH 76K MILES ON IT. I AM GUESSING THAT IS KIA IS NOW DOING A 200K WARRENTY AS THEIR PRODUCTS ARE JUNK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11162833December 20, 2018
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY HEARD A TAPPING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILED, RUINING THE ENGINE (2.4L). QUOTED $6,000 FOR REPAIR. 82,000 MILES. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE ON TIME. DEALER AND KIA CORPORATE DENIED ANY HELP OR THAT THE 2.4L WAS DEFECTIVE AT MANUFACTURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11151192November 13, 2018
ENGINE
I HAD A 2010 KIA FORTE KOUP THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE 5/29/18 WHILE GOING DOWN A HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES/HR. BEFORE THE FIRE BEGAN, THERE WAS SOME KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE AND ALL POWER WENT OUT, INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POPPED THE HOOD TO SEE FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEY DIDN'T MAKE IT IN TIME, AND THE WHOLE CAR WAS A COMPLETE LOSS. I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP WITH THE OIL CHANGES AND HAVING ALL FLUIDS CHECKED AND FILLED AS NEEDED. I HAVE HAD ALL RECALLS DONE AS THEY BECAME AVAILABLE. THE FIRE WAS IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND GAVE NO WARNING BEFORE THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WENT OUT. ALL WE COULD DO IS EVACUATE THE CAR, GET AS FAR AWAY FROM IT AS POSSIBLE, AND CALL 911. IT WAS DEVOURED WITHIN MINUTES WITH FLAMES, AND IS NOW A COMPLETE LOSS. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA INTERNATIONAL (CASE #12745414) WHO TOLD ME THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED, SO THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM CNA NATIONAL, BUT THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY WEREN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR MECHANICAL ISSUES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11140289October 15, 2018
ENGINE
I HEARD A KNOCK COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND SUDDENLY THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT START UP AGAIN BUT THE POWER WAS STILL ON FOR LIGHTS, ETC. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE IS SHOT. AFTER RESEARCHING THE KIA FORTE I FOUND A LOT OF REVIEWS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING ON THE 2012 FORTE. NOW WITH THE RECALLS FOR THE OTHER KIA ENGINES WITH THE SAME OR SIMILAR ENGINE TYPES, THIS MAKE AND MODEL NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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