Kia Forte Complaints

2,563 consumer complaints on file.

#11638537January 25, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Sterling wheel begins to shake at high speed and a lower speed causing the whole steering wheel to shake and make noise. And have realized the cruise control is no longer working
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11638568January 25, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
Back-up camera does not function. I'm told the camera unit itself is at fault, not the electrical circuit leading to the 'head unit' (infotainment system). It has not operated property for about two years. I've owned the vehicle for7 years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11638349January 24, 2025
ENGINE
Engine burns oil while buring gas. It burns oil way faster than it should have, which causes low oil and engine damage. As a result the engine stalled out because it ran with little to no oil. There was no dashboard warning light that the oil is low. A mechanic explained that there is a manfacturing defect. These engines are manufactured with small holes between where the oil is being stored and where the gas is being burned. When the gas is burning small amounts of oil also burn as a result. I had to replace the timing belt as well because that is what is being lubricated by the oil, which is too low. The mechanic explained that this is common in many other Kia engines such as the Sorento and Optima.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637640January 22, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My brake lights are continuously going out. I replace them and immediately they are out again. There is nothing wrong with the bulb. There is something going with the car. Every time I change the bulb they go out and this has been a few times already
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637111January 20, 2025
POWER TRAIN
My vehicle has 74,000 miles on it. While driving on the highway at 70 mph, the RPMs began fluctuating erratically, jumping from 2,000 to 3,000 and then from 2,000 to 5,000 before the car completely slipped into neutral. I was stranded in the middle of nowhere. Took it to the dealership and since it's out of warranty they quoted me 3500 American dollars to replace the transmission. Don't buy a Kia.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634724January 7, 2025
STEERING, ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Recently I purchased a 2023 Kia Forte on 11/09/2024 with only 53,848 miles on the odometer. Within a month the car has lost total power four times. The Advanced Driver Assistance Systems keeps faulting and kicks in taking drive control of the vehicle making it challenging to control. The current miles on the vehicle is 58,281. When I called in to have the vehicle serviced through a Kia dealership, they indicated the earliest date to bring it in is on 01/23/24, I am on the schedule for 7 am. I also contacted Kia Corporate office today 01/07/24 to inform them of the issue being that it is still under the manufacture warranty up till 60,000 after filing a complaint with them I began researching the vehicle on Google which led me here to NHTSA website there are numerous complaints that have had similar issues. This is a major problem as it puts my life in grave danger as well as others if this should occur while in traffic. The car loosing all power could cause a major accident. The Advanced Driver Assistance Systems kicking in without warning or cause takes away the ability to control the vehicle this could also cause a major accident. Why are these vehicles still being sold with these kinds of safety issues that could cause loss of life if an accident was to occure. Clearly this is a poorly manufactured vehicle and there needs to be a recall or some recourse for the consumers who have been sold these death traps. I have only acquired 4,433 miles on this vehicle since purchasing it on 11/09/24, and I should not be worrying about these kind of safety concern. Please advise
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634184January 5, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake light switch outage keeps happening
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634154January 5, 2025
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
Passenger air bag/seat belt goes off like someone is sitting in passenger seat but no one is. Have to do seat belt for the alert stops
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633927January 3, 2025
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle was driving on the incorrect side of the road coming towards the contact head-on. While attempting to avoid crashing into the other vehicle, the contact swerved over to the side of the road and drove downhill. The contact then heard a loud thud, and the vehicle became undriveable. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the clutch assembly needed to be placed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633572January 2, 2025
ENGINE
I want to report KIA of Lynchburg at 3400 Old Forest Rd. Lynchburg, VA 24501 because they do not want to honor their recall. October 14, 202I: I took my car to Kia because of a recall. After the mechanic finish, Lisa said to bring it back if the engine light goes on. (Exhibit 1) November 16, 2021: Lisa said that if the light was on due to a different problem I have to pay for the service. I agreed to hook it on the computer because I was sure all this has to do with the recall. I had to pay $99 because the oxygen sensor was not part of the recall. I asked her for a copy of the recall. She said, “you don’t qualify for the recall because you went over the mileage.” And she didn’t give me a copy. (Exhibit 2) June 5, 2024: I took my car to Harris. I let them know about t the popping sound on the steering wheel and the losing of power going uphill. I was recommended to bring my car back to Kia. (Exhibit 3) Jun 11, 2024: I took my car to KIA at Harry Tire's suggestion and because I received a letter from Kia. The Kevin said they’re going to check the breaks, oil waste, and the losing of power. 9:27am (434) 847-3292. I call KIA because I forgot to tell the guy about the knocking sound from the steering wheel. Kevin explained me that I will be charge for that because that was not cover under the warranty. I told him not to do it. I received an estimate of everything that needs to be fixed on the car and how much I will be charged. (Exhibit 4) Sept 3, 2024: I called service of Kia and Mike answered, I told him that I want to set up an appoint because I received a renotification letter at that moment he hands up the telephone on me. I called again to service, and I left a message letting them know what happened with my first call, but nobody contacted me back. (Exhibit 5) October 1, 24: I took my car to NTB for the oxygen sensor to be change, but the mechanic said code P1326 shows a history, and that his wife had the same problem and KIA had to install a new motor for her.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633467December 31, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
My radio speakers will sound like there are blown. At a certain speed, I will break and the seat will move in the passenger side and sometimes in the driver side by itself.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633113December 30, 2024
SUSPENSION, ENGINE
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at approximately 15 MPH, as the contact was turning to the left and ascending a slight grade in the road the vehicle's rear end was swaying to the left and the right. The contact stated she was not able to regain control of the vehicle and drove off of the roadway and down an embankment. The contact was rendered unconscious. The contact stated that emergency services were on the scene and the state police. The contact stated that she was not transported to the hospital and was taken to her residence by the state police. The contact stated that the police had issued a report. The contact later was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed as having a fractured sternum, damage to her lower back, concussion, and neck damage. The contact stated that the police had the vehicle towed to an impound lot. The contact stated that her insurance provider had declared the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact stated that before the crash the vehicle had been stalling intermittently but she had not had the vehicle taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to have it diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11633215December 30, 2024
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
My car stopped while I was driving and I had a catastrophic engine failure. I had to use my engine warranty and also out of pocket pay. I want to issue a warning to the dealer who sold me this vehicle. And I want a reimbursement because I recently purchased the vehicle/
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11631986December 21, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ENGINE
Engine issues constantly
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631548December 19, 2024
STEERING
Popping noise from steering and play in steering wheel. Was informed by a local mechanic that is was the steering coupler for the MDPS unit. Checked and saw a recall for the same issue with the Kia Soul but saw nothing for the Forte even though Hyundai had a recall for the Elantra and Sonata for the same issue. This is a vital part of the car and if it breaks as easy as it does it needs to be recalled on all the vehicles that have it and not just certain ones. I have not had it repaired yet but will be doing so shortly as well as talking with an attorney about the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630720December 14, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When the key is in the ignition and the car is running to warm up and I've forgotten something in my home and need to retrieve my item the car has automatically locks all of the doors with the car still running, I only was given one (1) key, so I have to eithe remember to roll down a window or leave a door standing open so I can get back in the car. To me it's a safety issue. What if I had a child in a car seat and this happened
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629358December 6, 2024
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
CarPlay digital screen is bubbling on the right side, up the top and now to the left part of the screen. I was told by Kia Service it would take $1200 to repair and to use it til it breaks. I googled this issue and learned a lot of Kia cars from 2019 have the same issue. This bubbling is caused by the car heating up internally, which no car owner has control over. This bubbling results in the screen not working. Which means I will be driving and pressing the screen and nothing happens. Then, I have to agressively press deeply onto the screen until it works and it takes my focus off the road longer than I would like. It also makes the screen glitch out and moves the CarPlay screen around so things aren’t centered. I went to look just now to see if maybe this has since been recalled since I last asked about it in 2022. That’s when I found multiple forums with people complaining about the same problem. This seems to be the only avenue to try and complain about this because this shouldn’t be on owners to pay in full when we aren’t creating the issue. This is a manufacturing issue and not realizing these LED screens can’t handle the hot heat cars will sit in when AC isn’t running. What can be done to compensate people experiencing this issue?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11627947November 29, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear brake lights failed to illuminate while depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the A/C was blowing hot air. Additionally, the front and rear passenger’s side windows were rolling down independently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously in a crash, and the frame was overheating. The contact confirmed that the vehicle did not have a Salvage Title. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,900.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11627660November 27, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine); 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 failure. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11627436November 26, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the catalytic converter was clogged. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under a class-action lawsuit extended warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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