3.4

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,292 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

May 042024

Forte

  • miles
Brake lights are consistently blowing out especially the right brake light. I have replaced the bulb at least a dozen times in the past 2 years. Also the signal lights are going out as well. There is something faulty going on with the connection that I think needs to be recalled. After a quick search on YouTube I realized that I-??m not the only person this has happened to. Kia needs to have a recall to fix this issue because I can-??t keep spending money on bulb replacements. Today on May 4, 2024 the brake lights weren-??t working and when I went replace them they were blown on both sides. And the one on the right the actual bulb glass came off and I noticed that the plastic where the bulb connection locks in at was melted a little and the connector had slight burn marks. The bulb itself won-??t stay on without me pushing the bulb in when I connect it.

- Carson, CA, USA

problem #11

Feb 262024

Forte

  • miles
Low beam headlights are so dim, driving at night is extremely dangerous. There is not enough illumination to detect more than 3 feet in front of the vehicle nor adequately see any potential hazards. After doing some research, it appears that this is a common problem that Kia is aware of, however, they refuse to remedy the situation. It is a manufacturer defect with the chrome that surrounds the bulb in the headlamps. The headlight bulbs burn the chrome that surrounds the cup and leads to severely unsafe visibility, while driving at night time or in the rain.

- Spanish Fort, AL, USA

problem #10

May 112022

Forte

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving and while at a complete stop, she noticed an abnormal burning odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the third brake light assembly had melted. The mechanic replaced the third brake light assembly; however, the burning odor persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the valve cover gasket was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made abnormal rattling sounds. The dealer diagnosed that the belt tensioner needed to be replaced. The part was replaced by AAA. The contact stated that the rattling sounds were reduced; however, the burning odor persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she was concerned for her safety. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

- Rockville, MD, USA

problem #9

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

problem #8

Apr 182018

Forte

  • miles
My car interior lights have been going out intermittently for over a year now, and my stereo bluetooth system is totally out as well. My signal lights intermittently go out. Signaling is a big issue because if people don't know I am coming over it could cause an accident. Also, as a result of my hands free capabilities being gone I am forced to wait for important communications at times because my commute is long.

- Oxon Hill, MD, USA

problem #7

Aug 192018

Forte

  • 127,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the back up and brake lights remained illuminated after the vehicle was turned off. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called jenkins Kia of gainesville at 855-764-9404 (located at 3345 N main St, gainesville, fl 32609) and scheduled a diagnostic appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #6

Jun 012017

Forte

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact was pulled over by the police because the passenger side brake bulb failed, was not properly secured within the holster, and had fallen into the trunk. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the stop lamp switch had failed and needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic made the contact aware that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V114000 (service brakes, exterior lighting). The vehicle was repaired, but the brake light failed and the vehicle would not maneuver from the park position. A tow company was called, but the vehicle was not towed. The tow driver showed the contact a trick to get the vehicle to move out of the park position. The contact then notified universal Kia hickory hollow (5406 target dr, antioch, tn, 37013) and universal Kia rivergate (1536 gallatin pike N, madison, tn, 37115) of the failures. The dealers confirmed the recall and stated that the vehicle had already been serviced under the recall, but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Springfield, TN, USA

problem #5

Sep 182013

Forte 4-cyl

  • 58,500 miles
Front turn signal bulbs keep quit working, this appears to be a poor design on the bulb socket to headlamp housing connection, both sides have had this issue multiple times, if you remove the socket and reinstall it they start working again, there is no corrosion present. This should be investigated as it creates a serious danger to occupants as other vehicles are unaware of the vehicles intended direction.

- Pasco , WA, USA

problem #4

Jan 082013

Forte 4-cyl

  • miles
Starting about a year ago, the headlights on my car (low beam) started to regularly burn out about every month or two. I finally brought it into the dealership to find out what was going on and was told that there was a ground problem in both the wiring harnesses for the headlights. (the same issue in both ?? ) this has to be a safety defect as it has caused me to be driving at night when both of them burned out at the same time. With the same defect being in two different parts on the same car, I have a hard time believing this is not a general problem especially after talking to people in the dealership having similar problems..

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

problem #3

Oct 142013

Forte 4-cyl

  • 31,000 miles
ESC light stays on, brake lights don't work, and cruise control works sporadically, all fuses are working, a quick google search reflects that the a faulty brake light switch might be the cause, which in fact it was.

- Bayamon, PR, USA

problem #2

Jul 302013

Forte

  • 30,000 miles
I was driving home from work and a man flagged me down at a red light to let me know that none of my brake lights were working. I have also noticed the cruise control as well as traction control buttons not working properly. There doesn't seem to be any issue with the fuses. If I can not find a fix to this problem it may result in myself getting rear ended.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #1

Nov 302010

Forte

  • 48,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact was driving 40 mph when the interior and exterior lights failed to illuminate intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 48,000 and the current mileage was 52,400.

- Toomsuba, MS, USA