Kia Forte Complaints

177 consumer complaints on file.

#11727407March 27, 2026
SEAT BELTS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The front driver side door is ‘popping’ open while driving. In addition, the seatbelt randomly releases while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726670March 24, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My son, [XXX] , has opened a complaint/Case #XXX with Kia. His 2023 KIA Forte had been idle for at least 24 hours when the engine compartment caught fire. He became aware of this when the Fire Department knocked on his apartment door around 4:00 PM 12/26/25 and said they were evacuating the building because a car was on fire. He went outside and was shocked, to say the least, that it was his car. The Fire Department had taken off the hood to extinguish the fire. He removed his belongings once the fire was out. He contacted his insurance company but since it was a holiday weekend, he did not get a call back until 12/29/25. He then filed a claim with State Farm Insurance which was required to get his car towed to a Kia repair location. On 1/9/25, [XXX] [XXX] t Castrucci Auto Shop in [XXX] [XXX] he car was totaled. I talked with [XXX] who was [XXX] between the auto shop and State Farm, told me that once the repair exceeded the value of the car, he was instructed by State Farm it was totaled and there was no need to continue. On or around 3/4/26, Kia sent engineers to assess the damaged vehicle. Kia determined it was an engine fire and the cause was undetermined due to the condition of the engine department. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11724342March 14, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Backing out of a driveway that had a mud hole. Car got turned and stuck in the mud. We were trying to push it out and then it started smoking under the drivers tires and then we heard a pop. Next thing the undercarriage is on fire and we got away. Withing minutes the whole car was engulfed in flames. UNKNOWN MODERATE ONLY CAUSE WE WERE STUCK AND COULD EXIT THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER NO NO
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723359March 10, 2026
ENGINE
Oil is burning out quickly causing the car to stop abruptly without any warning and caused damages to the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722834March 8, 2026
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Exposed electric wires, airbag system failure codes, breaks non resistance in functional limitation of human safety. Voltage malfunction involves hazardous crash impact results
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721642March 3, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Forte. While driving at various speeds, the check engine warning illuminated. The vehicle would start to vibrate. The vibration was more evident while slowing down or stopping at traffic lights. The vibration and the warning light had become a recurring failure. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was cleared. However, lately, turning on and restarting the vehicle failed to clear the warning light. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled several times. While the vehicle was stopped and idling, the RPM was fluctuating as if the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer several times; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact was advised that the vehicle was in good working order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720720February 26, 2026
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Dealership refused to fix my safety system unint failure alont with proof of voltage malfunction
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720595February 26, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car suddenly accelerated while I was pulling into my canopy carport causing me to crash into an old basketball goal and then the wall of my cottage. When this happened I was slowly pulling in to park when the car suddenly accelerated on its own and kept moving forward despite me pressing the brake. The RPM gauge continued to rev after the impact and the only way that I was able to make it stop was by putting the car into park and pushing the button to turn the car off. No warning lights illuminated on my dash. I have video of the incident from my security camera in my backyard.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720535February 25, 2026
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AIRBAG SYSTEM UNIT, AIRBAG SENSOR, VOLTAGE CRONIC MALFUNCTIONING POWER SUPPLY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718865February 18, 2026
AIR BAGS
My son was in a car accident in my car January 1 at none of the Air bags went off. Not one there is a police report and I have pictures. Its a 2023 kia forte
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11713406January 26, 2026
AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STRUCTURE:BODY
On May 13, 2023, I was involved in a severe frontal collision on the passenger side while driving my 2021 Kia Forte. The impact caused significant damage, and my insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. Despite the severity of the crash, none of the airbags deployed. I experienced body pain for several days following the accident. Given the nature of the collision and the damage sustained, the airbags should have deployed to protect the occupants. This raises serious concerns about the reliability of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11712680January 22, 2026
ENGINE
Was currently stuck in slow walking traffic and once traffic began to progress the car overheated engine notice appeared. Pulled into a parking lot as soon as car was parked the vehicle turned off. This happened during the night and was an extremely traumatic experience! Car does have a diagnosis about the engine been blown. Still in the works of being fixed by the dealership. Very long process!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709300January 7, 2026
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown Concerning the front passenger steering component. Carfax showed prior accident with minor damage to the front passenger bumper. I purchased the car not long ago and and was hit in the same exact spot. When I looked up the VIN for more information online I came across the safety issue with some other 2023 forte. I'm concerned that my vehicle could possibly have the same issue though it's not showing up right now under recall.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708975January 5, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The OEM projector halogen headlights on the 2022 Kia Forte provide insufficient illumination for safe nighttime operation. On unlit or poorly lit roads, the low-beam distance is inadequate to identify road hazards, pedestrians, or signage in time to react at standard posted speeds (45+ mph). This creates a "dead zone" where the driver is effectively over-driving their headlights. This is a known design deficiency reflected in the IIHS "Poor" safety rating for this model. The lack of light throw creates an unreasonable risk of collision. High beams offer a marginal improvement in angle but do not resolve the primary visibility failure. I am requesting an investigation into the headlight assembly design and a potential recall or dealer-installed remedy to meet acceptable safety visibility standards. For reference, my electric scooter (segway max g3) is triple the brightness of my automobile!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707776December 30, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My low beam headlights seem to burn out at an unusually high rate. Multiple times per year, and this is much higher than any other vehicle that I've owned. I believe there may be some type of electrical issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707638December 29, 2025
STEERING, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I've been experiencing issues with steering loosening/tighting for over 1 1/2 years.21,000 miles since I first reported the issue 5/23/24.Within a few months of reporting the steering issue,I started having issues with my car not staying in alligment after a few hundred miles. There are no warning lights.The tension in my steering wheel is inconsistent in a way that it shouldn't be. At first,I only noticed it at hwy speeds.Now,I notice it even at lower speeds.The faster the speed the worse it is.My steering wheel will have the stiffness it should,then suddenly briefly loosen,then go back to normal stiffness.Which causes constant minor corrections,risking over correcting leading to a wreck.I have had a couple close calls.As time has gone on,it's just gotten worse.It's now to a point that it's sketchy to drive on the freeway & nearly impossible (if not impossible)to drive on the freeway if its windy.I no longer drive the freeway & find back roads to drive at slower speeds & less traffic.I constantly feel all over the road & like the car is gonna wobble out of control.Picture taking your steering wheel & making frequent(almost constantly now)slight back and forth, back and forth, movements, that's basically what it feels like.The higher the speed while doing that, the higher risk to wreck.When I feel like I'm gonna wobble out of control,I tightly grip the steering wheel, straighten&lock my arms,& let off the gas &let the car slow on its own.I feel if I use the brakes in that moment,I'd lose control.It's almost like it briefly gets too much power steering,or disengages maybe?Dealership initially said I just need new tires & alligment (all tire tread @6)11/20/24 new tires&alligment.6 alligments&cameras calibrated in 3,285 miles.Gave up after 7. 3/25/25 dealership replaced steering column,housing,& reprogrammed.For a short while it helped,but didn't fix steering or alligment. Kia customer care has said to get a 2nd opinion. Wish I could write more on here.Multiple appts
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704868December 13, 2025
SUSPENSION, STEERING
The front passenger-side lower control arm on my 2022 Kia Forte fractured completely without warning during normal driving conditions. There was no collision, curb strike, pothole impact, or accident. The fracture appears clean and brittle, not bent or deformed. The failure caused suspension misalignment, damage to the CV axle, and uneven tire wear, creating a loss-of-control risk. The vehicle was inspected and no impact damage or deformation was found on surrounding suspension components. Kia has denied warranty coverage, stating ‘external forces’ caused the failure, but has provided no physical evidence, documentation, or explanation to support that conclusion. This appears to be a premature failure of a safety-critical suspension component. A sudden control arm fracture presents a serious steering and safety hazard and should not occur under normal operation The dealership indicated that they had a written explanation attributing the failure to ‘external forces,’ but when I requested supporting details, photographs, or physical evidence of impact, none were provided at the time. I was told that further explanation or documentation would not be available until a manager review at a later date. As of filing this complaint, no physical evidence supporting an external-force determination has been shown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703022December 4, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
My father was in a fatal vehicle accident in which the car was going very fast and then he crashed into a building. The car then started on fire. The black box was unable to be recovered to check car function. There were no medical findings
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#11697564November 5, 2025
ENGINE
Please see attachment:
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696940November 1, 2025
ENGINE
I am writing to report a serious safety concern involving my Kia vehicle. Shortly after getting an oil change, my car began making unusual noises and then suddenly stopped working in the middle of a busy intersection. This unexpected stall created a dangerous situation for both myself and other drivers. After having it towed to the dealership, it comes down to an engine malfunction which was not covered by my warranty since it just hit 70,000 miles. I have since learned that other Kia owners have experienced similar issues, and I am concerned this may be related to a larger defect or recall issue. I wanted to report this incident to ensure it is properly documented and investigated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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