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Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
Covers2023 Kia Forte
2009-2024 · 16 model years
Kia Forte Problems by year
Owners have filed 2,453 complaints about the Kia Forte across 16 model years, and it has 18 recalls. The 2014 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (445), while 2009, 2016, 2022 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling, followed by the electrical system.
- Complaints
- 2,453
- Recalls
- 18
- Crashes
- 220
- Fires
- 136
- Injuries
- 179
- Deaths
- 12
Forte complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common Forte problems
Kia Forte recalls 18
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Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The...
Do not drive
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
Covers2023 Kia Forte
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front left steering knuckle may crack, which can result in a loss of steering control.
Covers2023 Kia Forte
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit...
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with...
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles...
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Forte vehicles. The left front axle driveshaft may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to break.
Covers2019 Kia Forte
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Kia Forte vehicles equipped with LED headlights. The headlights may not have been manufactured with the correct low beam aiming. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor...
Covers2019 Kia Forte
Latest Forte complaints
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was restarted and operated normally; however, the failure occurred intermittently. The contact stated that stalling occurred while driving, while idling, and while operating at moderate to low speeds. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the engine crankshaft failed, and the engine required replacement. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Intermittently when turn signals is in use, headlights would completely go out or start flashing on and off.
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while his son was driving at approximately 35 MPH, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The driver pulled into the driveway and the engine caught on fire. The Fire Department was called to the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The Police responded to the scene and filed a Police report. The contact stated that photographs were taken of the vehicle for the insurance company.
This is the report copy and reference number for 911. I have contacted Kia multiple times during lunch breaks sent emails, and they still are not responding even after photos were sent to them. They told me in 5 days I would here back form them an still Ive heard nothing.Reference # [redacted] The fire dep "# INCIDENT REPORT Reference #[redacted] **Vehicle Smoke Incident and 911 Emergency Call** **Date of Incident:** Monday, [redacted] **Time of 911 Call:** 10:11 a.m. **Location:** Kaiser Permanente...
Read the full complaint
Riverside Medical Center [[redacted]] [[redacted]] **Vehicle Involved:** 2015 Kia Forte ### Description of Incident On Monday, [redacted], at approximately 10:11 a.m., a 911 emergency call was placed regarding a 2015 Kia Forte that was experiencing smoke coming from underneath the hood in the engine compartment while at Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center, located at [[redacted]]. Due to the smoke coming from the engine compartment, the vehicle had to be parked in a red-designated area. The situation raised concerns about a potential vehicle fire and the safety of operating the vehicle. The fire department responded to the incident and inspected the area underneath the hood. Following the inspection, I was advised not to drive the vehicle because it was smoking and there appeared to be oil that had leaked, dripped, or spread across various components inside the engine compartment. I was further advised that driving the vehicle could create a serious safety hazard and could potentially result in the vehicle catching fire until it could be properly inspected and evaluated by a qualified automotive professional. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On October the 14th, around 10:30 AM I noticed smoke coming from my car and acceleration was lost. The vehicle continued to smoke further. As I Had someone maneuver the car out of traffic into the parking lot.\n While reaching the parking lot, more smoke was noticed, so I dispatch the Riverside fire department. After one of the fire responders checked under the hood, they noticed that there was oil in various places, including the engine area and in the PAN underneath, they checked the oil and found oil still inside. Unit. The fire man check , both told me to not drive the car any further because if I did it would catch on fire , I then had the car towed to my home address.
While Driving, the vehicle lost power and stopped. Found out the timing chain went out/broken. This car only had 62,000. 2019 Kia Forte
Questions about the Kia Forte
Which Kia Forte years have the most problems?
Which Kia Forte years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common Kia Forte problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the engine & cooling (1,132), electrical system (306), airbags (283) most often.
How many recalls does the Kia Forte have?
NHTSA lists 18 recalls across all Kia Forte model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data