10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,464 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 #18

Dec 222023

Forte

  • miles
I took my car into the dealership to be told there-??s not yet a remedy for my cars it-??s been 5months and now my cars stalling and the check engine light is flashing after I just had repairs done in April

- Festus, MO, USA

problem #17

Jan 292024

Forte

  • miles
My windows began to roll up slower than usual. When I roll my window up seems like my lights would dim. But not all the time. On this particular day, I parked my car. It seemed to be running just fine before I turned it off. However, when I went back out to turn it on, the key would not turn nor would the gear move. Once I sat for hours waiting for a family member to assist me. The family member came and was able to get the car started. Once started we began to see and smell smoke. It smelled like electricity. The car died out and continued to smoke really bad and the smell of electricty became stronger. The car would no longer start.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #16

Aug 282023

Forte

  • miles
Engine light abs sensor from right wheel Repair at Mavis Tire 1701 19th St Bessemer Al 35020 phone# Mavis 205 666 0750 Repair made 08/18/2023 $381.12 total I have invoice from Mavis Tire I am unable to send my invoice.

- Bessemer, AL, USA

problem #15

Dec 062022

Forte

  • miles
No accident to report. This will will be my second time replacing suspension springs and brake light assembly. I have reason to believe that the 2013 Kia Forte EX model has a recall on these item because my car isn't the only vehicle in for these exact issues. I wish to have these investigated because this is becoming most costly than expected.

- Magnolia, TX, USA

problem #14

Aug 302022

Forte 4-cyl

  • miles
There is a recurring problem with the rear lights blowing out socket and all. They are also a fire hazard because they are getting hotter than usual. Something needs to be done because this happens a lot. There is a defect.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #13

Mar 052019

Forte

  • miles
I have owned my 2013 kia forte for over 7 years. Within the last 3 years I have had significant issues with my tail lights and break lights burning out. To the point that the socket completely melted and shattered the light bulb.upon attempting to fix and remove the melted socket I sliced my hand open. I have been pulled over multiple times for my lights flickering or even just being out. It's to the point where I carry spare light bulbs in my car. I've had a mechanic look at my vehicle and I've been advise that I need to have the whole tail light assembly replaced. This is a huge safety issue especially when traveling with my small children. I've spoken with many people that have this model car and all experience the same issue. I'm shocked to know this is not a recall issue!

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #12

Feb 102021

Forte

  • miles
My 2013 Kia Forte koup was parked as I ran into the store, I came out to my car on fire and it is not repairable. It was all from behind the dashboard the electrical I believe as my steering wheel and everything was on fire. I have a 10yr warranty on my car, I received an urgent recall a few days after my car fire in regards to possible engine compartment fire and something else. I contacted the dealership who I purchased my car from but they said we do not deal with that you must contact Kia consumer assistance so I did the very next day. I spoke with ryan and he gave me a case number stated not to worry they will get me in a car and have my car inspected and see what they can do for me. I heard from him twice then nothing for two weeks their systems were down, I have called and emailed so many times with no call back or email back. I demanded to speak with a supervisor because 3 weeks and nothing has been done I did not have a replacement car or rental and my rental through my insurance company would only be for 30 days. The manager was jeff stroup who was not helpful and a little shady also laughed at me because I was upset I had no car no answers no results. He said it takes a while to have vehicle inspected and then another month for the results, but yet I am at their mercy being I have no car and I have a warranty. He was rude and not helpful at all. He asked me to send him the bill for the rental car I had to pay out of pocket, I did and have not heard from him. I have called many times and they do not give you anyones direct number or email. It is about 2 months since my car fire and no phone calls no inspection of my car and absolutely no help from Kia! I do not understand how they give horrible customer service and fail to assist someone who spent a lot of money on their car and has a warranty. I currently have no vehicle but a warranty that does nothing

- Bay Shore, NY, USA

problem #11

Dec 042020

Forte

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact noticed her check engine light was illuminated while driving at 50 mph, she stopped for fuel and the check engine light went off. The contact stated the vehicle would sputter and shake while the vehicle was in park. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a misfire short in the wiring. The contact stated while parked a burning odor was detected. The vehicle had not been repaired. The local dealer was not informed of the failure. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Edge Wood, TX, USA

problem #10

Feb 102021

Forte

  • 74,000 miles
My Kia went on fire and I was never notified by Kia, I found out from carfax and set up appointment to have this recall fixed and found out there was 2 recalls. Set up the appt for Saturday, while my car was parked and off I ran into the store came out and my car was on fire all of the dashboard all behind it. My car was totaled by insurance. 2 days after my car goes on fire I am suddenly getting red emergency recall notices in the mail. Dealership will not speak with me, the Kia consumer assistance gave me a case number but has done nothing in over 2 weeks. I still had my 10yr warrantee and Kia said I would settle with your insurance you will get more money from them. They do not return calls or emails and they do not want to take responsability at all.

- Holbrook, NY, USA

problem #9

Feb 102021

Forte

  • miles
I received an email from carfax notifying me of a recall for my car pertaining to a possible fire, I called dealership to set up appointment and found out there was 2 recalls for my car but never once received any notification from Kia. My appointment was for the coming Saturday but on Wednesday after I parked and ran into the grocery store for less than 15mins I came out to a gentleman who asked if this was my car, when I looked at it I was confused because all the windows were black and smoke was coming I believe from either the hood or window, he said your car is on fire. Before I knew what was happening there were fire trucks and police. My entire inside of my car behind the dashboard and all electrical wires were burned the entire dashboard steering wheel radio everything. My car was destroyed, I called my insurance company right away as the police advised me too and later on a friend gave me the number to the Kia consumer assistance where I notified them.

- Holbrook, NY, USA

problem #8

Nov 232020

Forte

  • miles
I have had this car for about 8 years now and I have had issues with the rear tail light/ brake light bulbs continuously blowing out. I have to replace them almost every 1-2 months. When replacing them, they are very hot. Not sure if this is a wiring issue among many other Fortes as I had read upon numerous complaints from owners with the same issue.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #7

Feb 082019

Forte

  • 65,300 miles
I am the second owner of this vehicle which I purchased at 21,000 and it now has around 65,000. In the last three years I have had to replace several different lights multiple times. It began shortly after I purchased it with replacing rear driver's side brake light three times in a six month period. From there I have replaced the license plate lights twice the other brake light twice. When replacing the brake light in the back window, the socket was melted. This past year I replaced the driver side headlight and a couple big months later the passenger side. Now the driver side has gone out again.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #6

Aug 092018

Forte 4-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Forte. While the vehicle not idling, the contact not alerted that the vehicle was on fire. The vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered because the matter was resolved with the insurance company. There were no injuries. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 43,000. * consumer stated car was parked. Failing part: Cooling fan sensor. Updated 11/8/18

- King George, VA, USA

problem #5

Dec 312017

Forte

  • 82,000 miles
During month of December 2017 discovered all brake lights (total of 3 bulbs) burned out. The center top brake light assembly discovered melted (self replaced with new ones). Three weeks ago, right brake light assembly and bulb both burned out and melted. I replaced the light bulb and used electrician tape to hold socket and bulb in place.

- Albuqeurque, NM, USA

problem #4

Oct 012017

Forte

  • miles
I keep having issues with my break light having to be replaced all the time. Now it's where they do not work at all nor does the car go into gear! I have to use something to push the shift lock down so that I can shift gears. This seems to be an universal issue around the board on several different forums. Now this issue has cause some type of electrical issue within my vehicle. I took it to Kia and at some point I'm sure this is isn't the first they have heard of this because they keep saying well your vehicle doesn't have any recalls. Okay I understand but at the same time the exact same thats happening with my vehicle is almost identical to previous year make and model breaklight issues. It's far too many complaints about this issue and if your vehicle isn't under warranty anymore, Kia refuses to acknowledge it or be responsible for it! if it walks like a duck....quacks like a duck....it's a duck...plain and simple! I feel this is neglect and it's putting consumers lives at risk.

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

problem #3

Jul 152014

Forte

  • 75,365 miles
The exterior lights on this vehicle need replacing every few weeks along with the cruise control not disengaging when brakes are applied and gear shift does not engage. The brake lights will light when the interior light control is in the off position but when the car is on and lights have been turned on, the brake lights do not light. When it first began happening the car was taken to earnhardt Kia in phoenix and they said they could find nothing wrong with the lighting system or electrical system. In the course of three years there have been 12-15 lightbulbs replaced including a headlamp.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #2

Oct 292014

Forte 4-cyl

  • 22,678 miles
10/21/2014 I purchased a 2013 Kia Forte with about 21, 620 miles on it and this particular unit work like a champion but it is defective and just without warning won't turn on. I had the same issue five to seven times already in two months. I recorded five times, 10/29/2014, 11/12/2014, 12/02/2014, 12/16/2014, and 01/06/2014. The dealer worked on the vehicle for the 12/02 & 12/16 incidents but find the vehicle working fine and I returned the vehicle to service department on 01/08/2015. I want my money back. It is unreliable and it might be a hazardous condition, the vehicle just die on me and won't turn on. The dealer replaced the starter. However, the consumer continued to experience problems. Updated 10/29/15.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #1

Aug 132012

Forte 4-cyl

  • 8 miles
At vehicle start - gauges on dash did not work and shift lock was engaged. Unable to shift via shift release. After several attempts the problem resolved.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA