Kia Forte Complaints

2,563 consumer complaints on file.

#11512611March 19, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER
My car was stolen from a busy street in front of an elementary school while I was in a restaurant eating dinner 100 ft away. The thief was able to break the window and apparently use an iPhone cable and disassemble the ignition to start the car and drive away. It was recovered later that night several miles away. The suspect will likely not be found. I have serious concerns about the ease with which they gained access to the car and their confidence they could do get away with it. The driver was also reckless causing damage to the side. I have not been contacted by Kia that there is anything wrong the car. I think this poses a risk to car owners and other people who use roads because of how easy it is to gain access, and how w recklessly they can be driven. I have strong concerns about the safety mechanism for preventing the car from being started without the key, that has lagged behind other similar cars and made this Kia Forte an easy target for theft. My only confirmation that my specific year could be a target for theft came last night when it was stolen- the company has said nothing to me.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512292March 16, 2023
ENGINE
My vehicle has under 70,000 miles. A few weeks ago it keep stopping. This is what the Kia dealer is telling me : INTERNAL ROD BEARING FAILURE METAL IN OIL CAR IS KNOCKING AND WONT STAY RUNNING DUE TO OIL CONTROL VALVES BEING AFFECTED BY METAL IN OIL. I feel as a customer this is a bad engine and now I am being asked to pay about $5700 to replace an engine. I bought this car about almost two years ago; and I was assured by a car fax and Kia dealership this car was fine. I would like for Kia to look into this and reimburse me and other customers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511703March 14, 2023
ENGINE
Pulling out into traffic, without warning my car lost power and shut down! The car had to be towed to the dealership who advised that the engine had a catastrophic failure and needed to be replaced. I was told by the dealership that KIA would not cover the repair for two reasons: 1) I was beyond the warranty period (the car has 60,264 miles on it and apparently as the second owner I am only covered up to 60,000 miles not the 100,000 that comes with the car), and 2) despite acknowledging that they engine had a defect, KIA did not issue a recall to fix the problem. Instead, they issued a performance improvement notice. KIA also acknowledged via a phone call on 3/10/23 that they have mailed these notifications to the previous owner rather than to me. I have on a number of occasions conducted recall searches on www.nhtsa.gov/recalls which does not list the known engine defect! It seems underhanded for KIA to recognize a defect and instead of reporting it as such and issuing a recall, they hid the problem behind a deceptive "performance improvement" label. It's not a performance improvement!! It's a known defect that if not fixed, it will result in a blown engine and COSTLY bill for the owner!!! The NHTSA SHOULD IMMEDIATELY ISSUE A RECALL AND REQUIRE KIA TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE ENGINES IN THESE CARS. THEY SHOULD ALSO REQUIRE KIA TO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ENGINES NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511780March 14, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle inadvertently stalled while slowing down. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the camshaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The contact stated that while changing the oil, the independent mechanic became aware of metal shavings in the oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511784March 14, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the engine made loud rattling and knocking sounds. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine and catalytic converter were faulty. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the dealer declined the engine replacement due to the mileage exceeding 150,000. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that they were unable to assist because the dealer was privately owned. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511511March 13, 2023
AIR BAGS
I have a 2017 kia forte that I believe was made in Mexico (12/16) in December of 2016. I have an airbag fault illuminated. I used a scan tool to read the fault. Its 10 faults including DTC B1620, the airbag SRSCM is not communicating. I made an appointment at local KIA dealer for recall. I downloaded the SC226 RECALL. The recall affects a production range for 2017-2018 MY Forte from March 2, 2017 to July 27, 2018. My kia was manufactured 3 months before and has the same defect. I used the NHTSA website to search the VIN and returned the same results. I want to register a complaint that there are more affected vehicles than covered by this recall. I am sure that if the NHTSA were to collect data on vehicles being repaired for this identical defect would find that a greater number of vehicles were affected and many may be operating unsafely without repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511566March 13, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while starting the vehicle the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) and referred the contact to the local dealer. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511315March 11, 2023
ENGINE
Two weeks ago I started to experience issues with my car stalling in the engine making a knocking or clicking noise. Two days after this started the engine noise was so loud in the car kept stalling that I could not drive the vehicle. I have a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty on the vehicle. I told the vehicle to a Kia dealership and it was determined that the engine needs replaced. They have denied my warranty because I do not have all of my maintenance records for oil changes. Unfortunately for myself I didn’t take my vehicle to the dealer for oil changes I had a family member change the oil for me over the past 4 1/2 years of owning the vehicle. I bought this vehicle from Kia because of this warranty. This is the only vehicle I have it is impeding on me getting to and from work. I have several maintenance records of oil changes at a garage that I take my car for inspections, tire changes, brakes,alignment and oil changes. Is there anything that I can do to get Kia to honor this warranty. When I called Kiya of America customer service the woman that I spoke with told me that I needed to go to the places where I purchase oil and get receipts. I purchased oil at auto parts stores they never took my name so how am I supposed to get these receipts. And most of the time I paid cash. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511334March 11, 2023
ENGINE
Warning lights starting flashing and vehicle went into "limp mode". Before I could completely pull over the engine started smoking. Taken to the dealer and while they were able to confirm the rod bearing was the failure, it also caused other failures so Kia wouldnt cover it under the warranty. I've did arbitration but still no help.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511282March 10, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
The vehicle lost braking ability while being operated on the roadway. The brake pedal went to the floor, and the brake warning light came on. The operator was able to push hard on the brake pedal enough to eventually bring the vehicle to a safe stop. Upon inspection it was determined that the brake system had lost all brake fluid due to corrosion of one of the rear brake lines at the site of the retainer clip. There is also advanced corrosion on the other rear brake line at the site of the retainer clips. KIA already initiated a voluntary recall for this issue on KIA Forte’s 2010-2013, but the problem obviously exists for later model KIA Forte vehicles. This vehicle was only operated in NY during winter months for two years, in 2018 and 2019, so this level of corrosion on the brake lines should not have occurred. This brake failure could have easily caused a serious accident and injury.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11510784March 8, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
When I arrived at my destination after driving through rain my paint peeled back on my hood.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11510866March 8, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V773000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, other drivers were honking at him. The contact’s brother, who was following behind in another vehicle, alerted the contact that the brake lights failed to illuminate while the vehicle was stopping. Additionally, the transmission was able to shift gears while the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer did not perform the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11510745March 8, 2023
POWER TRAIN
I have had two transmission replacements within the first 6000 miles on the vehicle. And now the 3rd transmission is whining after only 600 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11510690March 7, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle fire that started from the engine compartment.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509920March 2, 2023
ENGINE
Load engine "ticking/knocking" noise at 83,200 miles. Vehicle engine maintenance is up to date and serviced by Kia. Noise diagnosed as coming from valve train and/or pistons. Was informed engine replacement is necessary.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509413February 27, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My car caught on fire out of nowhere when i pulled into my grandma's house. I was unaware of a recall until I was advised by the firman that put my car out that they had also put another kia out the same day and it had a recall. Upon searching I found this recall. I contacted kia and went through their claims process. They inspected my vehicle and are still claiming it didnt come from inside the dash board which is where the fire originated when I tried to put it out before it got out of hand. I have a video that proves i pulled in and it caught fire spontaneously. Kia has but me through trauma with that fire and I am lucky to still have a job with the work I missed without a vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509164February 26, 2023
ENGINE
My Engine died at 114,000 miles. It developed engine knock. I now have to replace the engine. Kia refuses to help with this and is asking for 8,000 to replace the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509204February 26, 2023
AIR BAGS
Vehicle was involved in an accident. No air bags were deployed. Vehicle was declared a total loss. Have reached out to KIA manufacturing regarding issue.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508874February 24, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where unknown sensors were replaced. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. Additionally, the ABS warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11508936February 24, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? After driving for about 10 minutes, the car would stall when slowing to a full stop, slowing to make a turn, or driving below 40mph. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car would cut off without warning. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The first incident happened in December, 2022. The car cut off while I was at the light. It started right up, but cut off again while pulling into my parking space.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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