Kia Forte Complaints

2,563 consumer complaints on file.

#11759866August 26, 2026
ENGINE
recommended engine replacement at 111,000 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759556August 25, 2026
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bags warning light illuminated and then went off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the air bag warning light was again illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,900.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759219August 24, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Electrical system failed while operating vehicle on major highway. All lights flashed, system shut off, power steering locked up.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758838August 23, 2026
ENGINE
Engine burning excessive oil over a quart in 1000 miles. Catalytic converter code P0420 because of the excessive oil burning. Oil was always changed within the specified dealer milage range.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758465August 21, 2026
Insert, Padding
When I have the windows down, I can see the headrest flapping in the wind. I took the cover off and discovered that the styrofoam had broken in half. I used foam adhesive to bind it together. Once again, windows down and the headrest is still flapping in the wind. Look underneath the cover and this time the Styrofoam is broken into multiple pieces.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758293August 20, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758381August 20, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I experienced a check engine light and had the vehicle diagnosed with codes P0017 and P0014. The vehicle was taken to a Kia dealership, where the technician found that the exhaust camshaft was free-spinning without the phaser and that the pin connecting the two had sheared. The dealership replaced the exhaust camshaft and phaser and released the vehicle as repaired and operating normally. Less than 24 hours after pickup, the check engine light returned during normal driving. While returning the vehicle to the dealership as instructed, the engine lost oil pressure and stalled three times. One stall occurred after exiting the highway and left the vehicle disabled in a high-traffic intersection, creating a serious safety hazard. The vehicle was returned to the Kia dealership and remains available for inspection. Subsequent examination reportedly found metal debris in the engine/oil pan and a possible restriction of engine oil flow. The exact cause of the sudden oil-pressure loss has not yet been definitively explained. The failure occurred immediately following a dealership repair involving a physically sheared internal engine component.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758316August 20, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AC is not blowing cold air even after replacing refrigerant. Mechanic says the compressor has failed, even though the car is only a few years old and has never been involved in any major incidents.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756624August 12, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The systems affected appear to be engine, powertrain, and vehicle speed control. My 2014 Kia Forte, VIN [XXX] has approximately 118,000 miles. Since purchase in November2025 from Wondries Toyota, the vehicle has had repeated high RPM, poor acceleration, and loss of power when entering freeway on-ramps and driving uphill. It struggles to accelerate while merging into faster traffic, creating a safety risk as vehicles behind approach at higher speeds. Two different mechanics verbally advised that there may be an oil leak or oil consumption issue affecting the catalytic converter. I replaced the catalytic converter a couple months ago, but it became clogged again and the power loss continues. The vehicle is available for inspection. The problem has not been inspected by the manufacturer yet, and I don’t have a written diagnostic report at this time. There was no crash, fire, injury, or fatality, and no police report. Warning lights are unknown. The exact incident date is approximate. The issue has been ongoing since after purchase and occurs multiple times, especially during freeway merging and uphill driving. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755914August 10, 2026
ENGINE
My 2016 Kia Forte had a recall that was never performed and I was never told anything about the car fax or any recalls from where I got the car from, it needs a engine repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755764August 9, 2026
SUSPENSION
The right front lower control arm has completely broken/fractured during operation. Kia has previously issued safety recalls SC283 (NHTSA 23V649) and SC306 (NHTSA 24V244) for this exact vehicle model year due to improperly manufactured right front lower control arms that can crack and fail. My vehicle was manufactured in March 2023 (03/23), which is just prior to the official April 12, 2023 recall window. Because the component suffered the precise, catastrophic structural failure described in the federal recall campaigns, it is clear that defective parts were used in production earlier than Kia's current recall parameters account for. This is a severe safety hazard that causes an immediate loss of steering control and places occupants at extreme risk of a crash. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this out-of-window component failure and pressure Kia to expand the recall parameters to protect other owners. The vehicle was in a minor pothole incident six months ago but suffered no suspension failure at that time. This is a fresh, catastrophic fracture just discovered on the right front lower control arm. The fracture is clean, unoxidized, and brand new, proving it is a recent spontaneous material failure matching recalls SC283/SC306, not old accident damage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755162August 6, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The A/C compressor field coil assembly failed on my 2023 Kia Forte. The air conditioning system is completely inoperative. The vehicle is currently [at my residence / at the dealership - specify location] and the component is available for inspection upon request. 1 This is a documented issue. Kia issued Technical Service Bulletin #048 (Revision TSB_CLI048_R1, dated November 18, 2022) for 2019–2023 Kia Forte models, which specifically identifies a defective A/C compressor field coil assembly as the cause of air conditioning failure. The TSB provides diagnostic procedures to isolate an open field coil circuit and states that replacement of the complete compressor assembly is not required when only the field coil is defective. The failed A/C system creates a direct safety hazard because it prevents proper defogging and defrosting of the windshield. 2 On [date of incident, if applicable], while driving [on 101 / in traffic], the windshield began to fog heavily. With the A/C inoperative, I was unable to clear the windows quickly. This significantly reduced visibility and made it difficult to see other vehicles and road conditions. 3 Proper A/C function is essential for safe driving in humid or rainy conditions. Without it, the vehicle's defrost system does not work effectively, which can lead to a crash. 4 NO. The dealership (Van Nuys Kia) and Kia America were contacted but did not schedule an inspection. I am seeking resolution before paying for a repair that should be covered under goodwill for a known defect. 5 The A/C began blowing warm air gradually. No warning lamps or messages appeared on the dashboard. There were no prior symptoms before the system became completely inoperative.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754070July 31, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, a bystander went into the contact's place of employment and stated that there was a fire inside the vehicle in the parking lot. The contact became aware that his vehicle was the one on fire. No warning lights were illuminated prior to parking the vehicle. The cause of the failure was unknown. The contact's wife attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher but was unable to extinguish the fire. The contact called the Fire Department, and the firemen were able to extinguish the fire and were required to remove the dashboard in order to extinguish it. The Fire Department filed a report. A Police report was filed. The contact stated that his wife sought medical attention for smoke inhalation. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11753181July 27, 2026
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
This malfunction started in August of 2025 within 12 months of buying this new vehicle. A airbag sensor was replaced, then a national bbb case found the same malfunction only this time it includes the whole safty system failure. I gave the manufacturer a year and they have not corrected the malfunction. I am forced to drive a unsafe car *if I get hit my airbags will NOT DEPLOY*
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752655July 24, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal knocking sounds. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle later lost motive power while driving with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that a week prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to another dealer to determine the trade-in value, and no failures were found at the time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752279July 23, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was getting into my car when I noticed that it was full of smoke, I then opened my hood and trunk. My trunk was on fire from a wire that had came down. I was only about to pull it out and put it out. Insurance said it will most likely be deemed a total loss.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751429July 19, 2026
ENGINE
Car runs fine at lower speeds. When traveling over 50 mph for ten minutes or more, then decelerating or stopping in traffic or at a stop light it stalls. It cranks right back up after you put it neutral and turn the key. We’ve almost been rear ended twice since this started. The car has only been driven about 3000 miles a year over the past 7 years and only about 45 mph. It has been to two shops and hasn’t been driven since May 15th.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750089July 13, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Power loss, engine failure. Will not start
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750139July 13, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle won't intake gas. Cod P0451, P0456
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750128July 13, 2026
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Coolant is burning and going into the oil in the engine. Occupancy indicator is malfunctioning causing a drastic amount of liability for death
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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