10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,087 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #71

Mar 042025

Forte

  • miles
I got a car from coparts and they told me nothing was wrong! I recently bought the car

- Saint Charles, MO, USA

problem #70

Mar 132024

Forte

  • miles
Known engine problem with bottom end knocking sounds. Potential risk of fire or wreck caused by engine failure. Engine condition is an ongoing issue. Dealerships and manufacture refuse to honor recall because last recall hasn't been addressed and the title is rebuilt.

- Sterling, IL, USA

problem #69

Mar 042025

Forte

  • miles
Unknown. Vehicle serviced since 2010. Oil changes based on recommend miles. Only 80,000 miles. Wife [XXX] only uses it mostly for store runs. Since recently inspection and oil change motor has a loud knocking at start up and gets quiet shortly after but while idling you can here a ticking noise. We have all paper work to maintenance. Fear if my wife is stranded or worse and thought I would report this. I will take it in to see what is said. Doesn't seem normal for only 80,000 and well maintained INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

problem #68

Jul 122024

Forte

  • miles
Was driving at slow rate of speed <30 MPH, the car started having a really loud knocking sound coming from the engine and then lost all power. Had car towed to local garage and was informed that the rod bearing had been broken and the engine needed to be replaced.

- Jonesborough, TN, USA

problem #67

Jan 192024

Forte

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact pulled over on the side of the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rod bearing was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the warranty being expired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Carson, CA, USA

problem #66

Jan 202024

Forte

  • miles
On January 20, th 2024 my Connecting (Rod Bearings In cylinder # 1 failed ! My 2010 Kia Forte Started making a loud rattling noise from inside the Engine! I immediately parked my car. On February 13th, Kia Of Carson ca. Excepted my Kia for service check ! They tried to charge me $235 (see service check receipt! Then they later retracted the bill ! Today is February 25th and my Vehicle in still at the dealership unrepaired ! My complaint is that the Kia Dealership and cooperation has tried to Mislead me in every aspect of the rules and regulations of a recall, in order to not repair this (significant Vehical Safety issue! They even tried to get me to pick up the vehicle sand drive it away in the condition it's in ! My insurance company said they will not be liable if something happens to me while operating this vehicle while it's under Recall ! Kia is alleging that my vehical is not under (Warrenty any more! (1).If the recall was not a significant issue why would they recall the 2010 Thru 2013 Kia Forte ! It's Clear " that a 14 year old model would not still be under warranty! However...the rules of recall states that if the conditions are found to exist in any vehical subject to recall it Must be repaired!

- Carson, CA, USA

problem #65

Mar 012023

Forte

  • miles
Engine knocks really bad

- Grantville, PA, USA

problem #64

Oct 012023

Forte

  • miles
kia already has a recall on the 2.0 litre Theta engines due to rod bearing failures due to improper machining of the engine blocks, resulting in metal filings blocking oil passages in the bottom end of the engine resulting in the significant risk of a fire or catastrophic engine failure usually at highway speed which can cause accidents. They also have a recall for possible engine fires and instruct owners to park their vehicles outside, with a significant risk of burning occupants. YouTube mechanics have been complaining of all these Kia engines' early failures such as: Scotty Kilmer Exotic Car Play Place The Car Wizard Calls to Kia Motors USA have resulted in their refusal to replace these 2.0 non-direct injection engines.

- Struthers, OH, USA

problem #63

Nov 062023

Forte

  • miles
179000 miles owner was driving and heard a knocking sound. He is an independent mechanic and put it in the shop to diagnose. While inspecting oil was within normal operating range and not yet due for an oil change. Low end rod knock. Changed oil to inspect for debris and found light flakes of bearing material. Diagnosed as rod knock and needs bearing replaced.

- Steeleville, IL, USA

problem #62

Oct 262023

Forte

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving or while idling, he heard a loud knocking sound coming from the hood of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rod bearings were faulty. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned for his safety while operating the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Struthers, OH, USA

problem #61

Jan 012023

Forte

  • miles
Car repeatedly has leaks and knocking engine sound, 5 repairs no resolve. Told different solutions paid for repairs. Engine noise still continues. Took in at 149,000. Why isnt there a recall on the engine?

- Lyndhurst, NJ, USA

problem #60

Aug 012023

Forte

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. On two other occasions, the vehicle shut off and the driver was able to steer the vehicle off the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was no oil in the engine. The independent mechanic informed the contact to check the oil level while refueling. The vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There was an abnormal rattling sound detected. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Hartly, DE, USA

problem #59

Jul 212023

Forte

  • miles
There is an ongoing issue with the MAP sensor that triggers a check engine light as well as the RPMS to fluctuate. This can happen when disconnecting the battery and/or replacing the MAP sensor. I replaced the MAP sensor and still get this ongoing issue. This is a safety concern because due to the RPMs constantly fluctuating, the car jolts forward when driving which could possibly result to the car hitting another vehicle in front of it. But the only way to get it to stop / get the check engine light to turn off, is to drive it for x amount of miles until it fixes itself. This problem has been inspected by Kia themselves and they did not give any information to me about the issue. This issue seems to happen any time I get the vehicle serviced.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #58

Jul 262023

Forte

  • miles
I had oil changed on my 2010 Kia forte 2.0 motor and afterwards the oil light came on on the way home from the shop and it died and engine started making a loud noise they have an engine recall on these motors for going bad I need them to replace my engine I can't afford to put new motor in my car when it's not my fault it has a defect in the motor

- Leachville, AR, USA

problem #57

Jul 252023

Forte

  • miles
Engine failure on 2010.kia forte due to faulty oil pump causing car to come to a stop while in trafficc could cause safety problem for everyone on roadway

- Leachville, AR, USA

problem #56

Mar 162023

Forte

  • miles
In March 2023, my 2010 kia forte ex began to make a ticking noise, similar to the noise it had made before its first engine had failed. I had just had my car inspected the week prior and had my oil changed. I took my car back to the mechanic, where they confirmed there was an issue with my "new" engine. The engine was "knocking." I took my kia to the dealership where I had gotten the first engine replaced to see if my warranty still covered the new engine as it was not even 3 years old, but was told it was not under warranty. I took my car to another mechanic to get a second opinion after being quoted over $3000 for a new engine. The mechanic said that there were metal shavings in my oil, which was only a week or two old at that time. He said the issue was likely the rod baring's. I learned kia had several lawsuits going on about premature engine failure in kia fortes, but was told by kia that my car was not going to be part of that lawsuit. No warning messages showed up prior to the failure. The only symptom of the failure that was noticeable to me was the knocking, and would not be as noticable to someone who doesnt know much about cars. Driving my car for the last time, I noticed a burning smell when I turned on the ac. I shut it off and looked for signs of a fire, knowing kias have been catching fire recently. These cars arent safe on the roads and Kia should be held accountable before more people get hurt.

- Washington Crossing, PA, USA

problem #55

Apr 132020

Forte

  • miles
Premature engine failure in 2010 kia forte ex in April 2020 resulted in a vehicle that was unsafe to drive. The problem was confirmed by a mechanic and later the dealership. No warning messages or lamps were displayed. The problem was identified after I spoke with my mechanic about a ticking noise that I was hearing upon starting my vehicle. The noises first appeared a few weeks before my cars engine was diagnosed as failing.

- Washington Crossing, PA, USA

problem #54

May 202023

Forte

  • miles
Engine piston knock getting ready to fail and lock up which could cause a crash and loss of control of car.

- Boiling Springs , PA, USA

problem #53

Feb 262023

Forte

  • miles
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.

- Ferndale, WA, USA

problem #52

Nov 212022

Forte

  • miles
As I am driving my car losses speed slows to almost stop. I keep my foot on the gas pedal very lightly pressing acceleration to keep it going.

- Brookhaven, GA, USA

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