10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,919 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

Jun 012021

Forte

  • miles
The driver airbag light came on in June 2021 - I called Kia dealership and they said there was no recall. Last month the passenger airbag light came on. Both appear to not be working. I do not have extended warranty and my car is past warranty. I am wondering if any other Kia owners have a similar problem. I have never been in any major accidents and am an excellent driver. I am hoping there is a recall issued in the near future.

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #11

Sep 112021

Forte

  • miles
In the last few months, the engine makes increasingly louder knocking/ticking sound. Took it to the Ray Skillman KIA service shop in Southern Indianapolis/Greenwood area. They say they have seen other cars with the same problem and that the engine will die and needs replacement, at a massive cost. KIA has recalled several other models in the same model years with this problem, but somehow skipped on the KIA Forte 2011 EX. Not sure if this is an oversight on their part or cunning. PLEASE INVESTIGATE URGENTLY. Several others are reporting this issue on NHTSA and the Dealers have probably seen a 100x number of complaints relative to what's reported here. Thanks in advance.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #10

Aug 172021

Forte

  • miles
The following situation has happened three times - once a few years ago, and again twice today (8/17/2021); When driving through standing water (estimated depth of 1 to 3 inches) like accumulates with moderate to heavy rain, the vehicle instrument panel displayed a low-battery alert and the power steering became inoperable. This lasted only about 3 to 5 seconds before returning to normal - but during those few seconds the car becomes extremely difficult to steer. This is a situation that could cause an accident. The rate of speed when this happened was low (approximately 20 mph one of the times - and barely moving (less than 5 mph) the other two times while entering intersections from a standstill). Fortunately this has not caused any accidents - But it needs to be investigated.

- Anderson, SC, USA

problem #9

Jun 022020

Forte 4-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
Brake line burst near center of car while traveling on highway. Maintained enough brake pressure to come to a safe stop. Investigation revealed excessive rusting of brake lines running from front to rear of vehicle, particularly at contact points with each restraint.

- Perry, OH, USA

problem #8

Apr 102019

Forte

  • 10 miles
I have a 2011 Kia Forte which has a bad motor with only 106379 and motor is rapping

- Webster, PA, USA

problem #7

Aug 132018

Forte

  • 200,000 miles
Takata recall car starting smoking while driving on the highway.after the car was turned off smoke increased fire initiated in car on the left side(driver side) in the corner underneath windshield. Entire car engulfed in flames.

- Fairburn, GA, USA

problem #6

Jun 042018

Forte

  • miles
Possible hole in transmission tube

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #5

Mar 312018

Forte

  • 119,000 miles
On 3/31/2018 at 10:00 am my wife's sunroof on her 2011 Kia Forte exploded while she was driving down the highway. She was not trying to open the sunroof and the sunroof cover was closed. There was not a car directly in front of her, and the weather was 70 degrees and sunny. There was no fluctuation in temperature from the day before. There is no reason why it exploded. She was startled but not injured by the incident.

- Converse, TX, USA

problem #4

Dec 012017

Forte

  • 88,000 miles
Kia Forte 2011, accelerated on its own, and cause me to hit the car in front of me, kept accelerated, until I shut the engine off. Went from 30 mph to 50 mph, and totaled my car. I was in motion on a city street, when the incident occurred. No warning, no engine light, and it never happened before.

- Arvada, CO, USA

problem #3

Jan 082017

Forte

  • miles
I have a 2011 Kia Forte, how can I get it out of the security, (stuck on security stuck on security mode make ticking nose on the rt hand inside under hood. I only drive in the city of memphis tn, street and express way.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #2

Jun 152016

Forte

  • 70,000 miles
My air conditioning clutch pulley assembly has a failing bearing that makes a whining noise. The assembly is separate from the A/C compressor. I'm afraid the bearing will eventually seize and cause the pulley to freeze, which will thus cause my serpentine belt to rupture and potentially cause damage to my car while driving. I think this is a potential safety hazard that Kia should fix as it seems to be common on my make model and year.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 142011

Forte

  • 13 miles
Problem began 2/14/2011 (purchase) and continues. There has been a problem with these high frequency sensors as noted on a sheet dated 9/22/08 provided by the Kia engineer. These devices are prone to set off the high frequency sensors which gives me a false reading. With this being the case, then why are these high frequency sensors installed in vehicles? my sensors are like the little boy who cries wolf.when they illuminate repeatedly on and off, I just ignore the light and wait until I turn off the car or wait it outwhichever turns off the light first. The sensors are not fully functional because since they are so sensitive to radio frequency waves as stated by the Kia engineers, then NHTSA has the obligation to have Kia remove and replace with sensors that are not sensitive (as similar to my Ford Focus which illuminated and went off when air was put in the tire(s)). Otherwise, having malfunctioning sensors and under-inflation of tires can reduce vehicle safety, reduce tread life of tires and reduce fuel economy which defeats the main purpose of a sensor. From the 9/22/08 info sheet: Pitstop: Outside radio frequency (rf) affecting TPMS operation kma has received several inquiries regarding the TPMS light on with or without stored diagnostic trouble codes in memory. The following listed components/conditions may cause the control unit and wheel sensor communication to be interrupted and may cause multiple dtcs. Some cell phone chargers some laptop computers exciter tool connected while driving the vehicle some portable navigational devices (gps) aftermarket rke, burglar alarm, remote start systems power inverters, portable mp# players ham radio equipment high tension power lines and radio station towers vehicle anti-theft locating devices portable dvd players incorrect instrument cluster part application not correct

- Scottsburg, IN, USA