6.9

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,949 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #12

Mar 082023

Forte

  • miles
I have always gotten my oil changed on time and even had it changed a few days before my engine failed. I was driving down the road going home from work when my car started making a ticking sound that soon turned into a hard knocking sound coming from the engine. My car then shut off in the middle of traffic while at a red light. I tried to start it back up but nothing was happening. My check engine light never came on to give me any type of warning that the engine was in bad shape. Took it to the Kia dealership where it took over a month and a half to get someone to look at my car and give me an answer as to what was wrong with it. Kia knows that the engines in these cars are not built to last and that they could have failed before reaching 100,000 miles. I was also hung up on by someone from the Kia consumer hotline. I feel Kia should be responsive and held accountable as far as paying for the repairs and me not coming out of pocket. I will not be dealing with Kia ever again.

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

problem #11

Mar 232023

Forte

  • miles
I was driving down expressway and my car started to make rattling noise and Clanking noise from the engine and then my car wouldn-??t start it kept stuttering. My 2019 Kia forte was stalling it was not accelerating past 3k rpm-??s and then the engine would completely shut off. Now my car has been out of commission for a few weeks

- Staten Island , NY, USA

problem #10

Jan 232023

Forte

  • miles
It has been a reoccurring problem where the car will suddenly shut off in the middle of driving. I have already taken it to Kia 4 times and the problem has not been fixed. There is a creaking noise and when I specifically turn left, it will trigger the oil light and it will flash. Recently, it has not been starting. It has definitely put my life and other at risk but I have no choice but to drive it because of work and school.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #9

Dec 252022

Forte

  • miles
My KIA Forte engine suddenly seized at 112,548 miles. This was verified by a personal mechanic as well at a KIA dealership service department. There were no notifications or warning lamps alerting of any potential problems with this engine or any other car part at all. This car was bought brand new and serviced oil changes were made on time only using full synthetic oil. Luckily for me this happen while I was on my driveway and not on the road.

- Middletown, NY, USA

problem #8

Dec 032021

Forte

  • miles
The transmission failed while on the interstate/freeway while trying to merge into traffic. The vehicle lost power and would not accelerate even though the engine was revving up in RPMs. The vehicle is available. The transmission was replaced with a "Refurbished Transmission" through Warranty by KIA. Two days later the car began jerking and the check engine light came on. The vehicle was returned to the Dealership. The car was then returned to me, the owner, only to have the Check Engine light come back on, so the car was returned a third time for "Transmission" related issues. The vehicle in question has been at the dealership for over two months as the Dealership tells me that they are going "back and forth with KIA Techline" to figure out the issue. The initial Transmission failure was confirmed by the KIA Technicians and reproduced prior to the "Refurbished" transmission being put in. The vehicle and component have been inspected by the KIA Technicians who say they cannot solve the issue and are currently working with KIA Techline to solve the issue. The only prior symptoms were briefs moments of hesitation in acceleration from the vehicle when on the interstate/freeway. This series of events began at the beginning of December 2021 and the vehicle is still in the shop as of April 3, 2022.

- Lagrange, KY, USA

problem #7

Feb 202022

Forte

  • miles
The transmission has had multiple catastrophic transmissions failures while driving. The transmission does not engage and the car cannot accelerate, which has created severe safety issues, especially on the freeway. We were almost hit by two semi-trucks this last time because the transmission would not engage and would only rev high while traveling on the turnpike in an 80 MPH zone and the car decelerated quickly due to lack of engagement and the RPM gauge just would redline with no movement to the wheels. This has happened several time before but this was the one that scared us the most...each event was scary. The first transmission failure happened at around 20K miles and if the transmission is replaced this time it would be the third replacement transmission within only 10K miles since the care only has 30K miles on it. I have talked with the dealership and Kia Consumer assistance multiple time with no resolutions. They are obviously aware of the issues with this transmission and just keep making promises that never happen and just keep us in a consistent state of a "runaround."

- Edmond, OK, USA

problem #6

Apr 012021

Forte 4-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
The contact leased a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on multiple occasions and was initially informed that repairs were needed to the transmission. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under warranty. Despite the repair, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that sludge was found in the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. Consumer stated transmission problem affected the engine.

- Monsey, NY, USA

problem #5

Feb 142021

Forte

  • miles
My Kia is experiencing the same problem that Kia has issued a recall on for every year but 2019 Kias. My 2019 Kia is experiencing the same problem from the recall of "An inconsistent heat-treating process for the piston oil rings can damage the engine and lead to a loss of power, thereby increasing the risk of a crash." My 2019 Kia experienced all of this and no help from the dealership as they didn't want to figure out the problem and wanted me to spend thousands of dollars on a problem Kia has recalled many of there makes/models now. My safety was at high danger due to the car stalling during driving. The diagnose was a bad timing chain and after my mechanic I trust more then the dealership and have proof of the problems/diagnosis is now my Kia has two Pistons that are actually shot and caused problems with my oil life in the car. The mechanic believes it could be caused by the same problem/recall stated above on other makes/models. I have know suffered without a car for a few months and my family has suffered tremendously from just needing to get my car fixed but I still continue to pay my monthly payments on my 2019 Kia. Now the shop I have it at says there's 2 bad Pistons and I need an entire new engine. There was no warnings or check engine light that came on and I just hope there will be an investigation at least on the 2019 models as well and or an answer to why they did 2015 models-2021 but skipped the 2019 Kia Fortes & this investigation of this complaint started after my car was already made and waiting to be sold by a dealer but my car is now experiencing the exact same problems listed above that other Kias have. I can provide and proper paper work from the mechanic if necessary/upon request.

- Fairborn, OH, USA

problem #4

Aug 052020

Forte

  • 16,500 miles
Everytime I am on the highway, then either come to a complete stop or try to turn to go up a hill. It won't kick in to gear. Thd rpms go way up and it almost stops running. Its been happening like for a week now. Its getting worse. My headlights also seem like they are pointed to low to the ground. Please help I use my car for work. Thank you

- Howard, OH, USA

problem #3

Aug 032020

Forte

  • 41,023 miles
It's making a rattling noise, I don't have a clue where it's coming from

- Moncks Corner, SC, USA

problem #2

Feb 032020

Forte

  • 62 miles
Problem 1, long crank hard start. Have to cycle the ignition key several times to get engine started. No PCM codes. Had to Kia dealer multiple times. Cannot duplicate issue. Problem 2, instrument cluster goes blank, radio goes blank and engine stalls while driving. This is a safety concern.

- Palmyra, NY, USA

problem #1

Sep 292019

Forte

  • 7,800 miles
With less than 8K miles on our Forte we were driving down the highway at 70 mph when the oil light went on. We moved to the right lane and within seconds all of the warning lights were on and the car would not accelerate at all. We coasted off the highway to find oil spilling from the car. When we pulled the oil stick it was bone dry and smoking. We were towed to our dealership and told this is the 3rd or 4th engine they have seen with this issue and they are replacing our entire engine. This is the second time our brand new Forte has died on the highway at 70 mph and it has less than 8,000 miles on it!

- Medford, NJ, USA