10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,672 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #36

Jul 202019

Forte

  • 69,000 miles
I have a 2013 Kia Forte koup sx with the 2.4L mpi engine. I was driving down the interstate at 75mph and all of the sudden the engine quit running. I coasted to the side of the road and opened my hood and did not see any apparent problems in the engine bay. Oil level was ok. I started the car again and did not hear any abnormal noises so I drove it home. Two weeks later the engine started to make knocking sounds on my way home from another trip. I am now told that the car needs a new engine with only 69,000 miles on it. The Kia recall 17V224000 for improperly machined engines is not nearly as comprehensive as it needs to be and does not include the Forte. Kia claims that only the gdi engines are affected but the reality is the mpi version of the 2.0 and 2.4 theta II engines are failing prematurely in the exact same manner as evidenced by the many reports from owners online.

- La Crescent, MN, USA

problem #35

Aug 062019

Forte

  • 109,000 miles
2.4L engine seized with no warning while driving at highway speed. Car was well maintained, oil clean, 109,000 miles. This would've been very dangerous if there had been traffic at the time. It appears same engine in other models such as optima and Hyundai sonata are under a recall for the manufacturer failing to remove machining debris from the engines. Since Kia did not include the Forte for some reason I was not aware of any potential problem.

- Marysville, OH, USA

problem #34

Jul 112019

Forte

  • 105,000 miles
While driving down the road the car started knocking making a loud noise and then the car would hardly go. The check engine light did not come on until the car stereo making the knocking sound. The car was on a 35 mph street when it started.

- Lansing, NC, USA

problem #33

Jun 022019

Forte

  • 131,000 miles
I was driving my car, I heard a loud knock from the engine, the rpms went to 0 and the car died, car was serviced and well maintained

- Ohatchee, AL, USA

problem #32

Apr 262019

Forte

  • 117,000 miles
Over the last several months, the Kia has been knocking at low engine RPM upon initial acceleration from a stop, particularly with the air conditioning engaged. It's gas mileage is also substantially down. I had thought it needed a tune up, but after reading about the issues with other Kia and Hyundai issues with the theta II engine, it seems more likely that this engine is getting ready to go down the same road as the problem has become more pronounced in the last month or so. For the moment I am going to park the car and drive my Avalanche (despite gas being North of $4 a gallon) until the Forte is included in the engine recalls like the other Kia models with the same engine. It is baffling to me that this model was excluded.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #31

Mar 102019

Forte

  • 98,500 miles
Engine seized twice (separate instances) while driving. Faulty connecting rod

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #30

Mar 282019

Forte

  • 62,000 miles
I was driving home like usual not even a week after my regular oil change and as I was pulling up a small hill close to my apartment my engine sputtered, backfired and stalled. I lost all power steering and brakes at this point. I put the car in neutral and coasted to a stop. After some troubleshooting I finally got the car to turn over and the engine immediately started knocking very loudly. It is clearly unsafe to drive at this point and an obvious manufacturers defect. The car is at 62,000 miles and the warranty is good to 100,000 miles. I have seen dozens of complaints about this model of car worth the same issue and hundreds of complaints with other models using the same engine. It is quite an issue to take care of monetarily for the customers of Kia and should be investigated further.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #29

Feb 112019

Forte

  • 109,000 miles
I am submitting a complaint on the 2013 Kia Forte ex engine failure for review. I have a copy of the carfax report given by the local Kia dealership at the time of purchase which shows the vehicle was maintained regularly. At the time of purchase in August 2018, the dealership serviced the vehicle (oil change, etc.). we had another oil change and overview of the vehicle since then. All was working fine until February 11,2019 when we heard a loud knocking noise when vehicle was in idle and increases when shifted into drive. On February 12, I took the car to our auto repair shop. They determined the internal engine near the rear is where the knocking noise was coming from. This would take a rebuild or replacement of the engine. I called a local Kia dealership about this and they said there were no recalls and all work would be billable. I have not had a good experience with this dealership's service department in the past and was skeptical about taking this car there. This is why I did not take the car to the dealership. I have a trusted auto repair shop that gives me honest and timely advice and results. I have contacted Kia motors America, Inc already and am hoping that my communicating with Kia motors America, Inc. Directly will help to give me the support they advertise to customers on all of their vehicles. Kia claims to back up the quality of their vehicles. Hopefully Kia will acknowledge the issue with this model's engine failure and provide financial assistance for the expense that we have incurred. I thank you for taking the time to review this information. 2013 Kia Forte ex sedan 4dr 2.0L I4 F DOHC 16V gasoline front wheel drive

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

problem #28

Feb 192019

Forte

  • 90,000 miles
Forte engine began making loud noises and running very hard. Then the engine light came on. Went to get it fixed and dealer said that the engine was failing and would need to be replaced. It is a 2013 Kia Forte with less than 100,000 miles on it! the engine should not be failing! after reading other reviews, it is obvious that this is a problem with this car.

- Brandon, SD, USA

problem #27

May 212016

Forte

  • 80,000 miles
We have this initial fuel flow/rod bearings issue with our 2013 Kia Forte. I have contacted Kia and the dealership a number of times, and yet the Forte is never included in the recalls. Considering that it was built with the exact same theta II engine, this seems ridiculous. Https://kfor.com/2019/01/16/Kia-Hyundai-issue-new-recall-due-to-engine-fire-risks/?utm_campaign=trueanthem%3A+trending+content&utm_content=5C3fc91104D3010da25C18ca&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=iwar1dmdlskvnowcp34yhc3cnwhpxvprdqlfvq5euzz16wh-R70vj0rwlhm5O

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #26

Jun 112016

Forte

  • 120,000 miles
The engine failure possible related to faulty oil pump. Engine started vibrating whole car then the car locked and stopped working while driving on the road. Had to get car towed. No leaks. The engine had fluids. Many other Kia's were affected. Other models have recalls. Possibly damaged rods and bearings due to the issue. The Kia company said no recalls on my vehicle. Mechanic said needs to engine.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #25

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 #24

Jul 162018

Forte

  • 78,000 miles
I was driving down the highway at 55 mph, all of a sudden all of my dashboard lights came on and my car had no power, I was almost rear ended by several vehicles as I had no engine power to move the vehicle. I was able to get to the side of the highway( not a pull over place) I called for a tow and had it taken to the shop I usually go to only to find out the engine has blown. Kia is aware of this problem on other of their vehicles. This event almost cost me my life... Kia needs to be held responsible for taking care of this problem. My estimate for a replacement engine is $ 3780.00

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #23

May 052018

Forte

  • 50,000 miles
Driving interstate 55 mph engine made clunking noise and stopped had to be towed home checked timing chain was good dropped oil pan and rod shattered and metal shaving all tore up engine no longer able to be repaired looking for a new engine owe $10,000 on car have to carry full coverage insurance doesn't run

- Kingwood, WV, USA

problem #22

May 222018

Forte

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. While driving at an unknown speed, there was a knocking noise coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to jeff belzer's Chevrolet, Dodge, Kia (21111 cedar ave, lakeville, mn 55044, (952) 469-4444) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

- Lakeville, MN, USA

problem #21

Jul 122018

Forte

  • 61,619 miles
While driving at 65+ mph on the freeway, this 2013 Kia Forte sx lost power (engine light, oil light and battery light illuminated), steering stiffened and vehicle rapidly decelerated. It was very difficult and dangerous to get the vehicle directed over to the freeway shoulder. The vehicle has 61,619 miles. It was towed to a Kia dealership where, based on engine noise, Kia has diagnosed a rod bearing malfunction at the bottom of the engine. This engine is the 2.4L theta-II mpi (multi-port injection) engine (vs the gdi, or gasoline direct injection, engine that has already been recalled).

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

problem #20

Jun 182016

Forte

  • 85,000 miles
I, like many other Kia Forte owners, feel the recall should include the Forte. I have experienced the same issues as the other owners - engine knocking, oil issues, white smoke exiting the exhaust, loss of speed while driving, car dying after acceleration and finishing in a puff of smoke. When it first began in June 2016 I took the car in to the dealership where it was purchased and they said they would not repair it because it wasn't their fault. Yet, I see that the same problems are literally being repaired on other models with the same engine and issues. The theta II 2.4L engine clearly is defective in all of the vehicles. I fail to understand why the Forte was not included on this list. To make matters worse, the dealership really raked us over the coals on the purchase and five years later we still owe nearly $10K on the vehicle. Clearly other dealerships are aware of the defect because I cannot get anyone to take it as a trade in - turned down by over ten dealerships. Please advise me on how we can rectify this problem. My husband is a disabled veteran and we rely on this vehicle to get to and from appointments, as it is our only means of transportation.

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #19

Jun 092018

Forte 4-cyl

  • 51,900 miles
The class action lawsuit for theta II engines in Kia cars needs to be expanded to include all the models with that engine. I have a 2013 Forte sx with one of those defective theta II 2.4L engines. It appears that only the optima, sorento and sportage models made the list. Not sure if it is an oversight or that they made so few Fortes with that engine. However it is, the point is that the engine is bad no matter what vehicle they deemed to place it in. Please expand the recall to make the engine the requirement for the recall. All these cars have the theta II per wikipedia: Theta/theta-II engine - 2.4L (2359cc) (G4kc, G4ke, G4kg, G4kj, ) Hyundai sonata (2006'2010) Hyundai sonata gdi (2011-) Hyundai sonata (2011-) (middle East) Hyundai tucson (2010-) Hyundai Santa Fe (2010-) Hyundai starex (2007-) Kia optima (2006'2010) Kia optima gdi (2011-) Kia rondo (2007-) Kia cadenza gdi (2011-) Kia sportage (2011-) Kia sorento (2011-) Kia Forte (2010-2013)

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #18

Jun 092018

Forte

  • 51,000 miles
I was entering the freeway, accelerated to match traffic speed, I heard the engine's rpms increase but almost immediately afterwards the car shut down. I was in the middle lane of a very busy interchange and going about 60mph when the car quit. I kept trying to restart the car by putting it in neutral and at the same time steer it towards the shoulder. There were no warning lights. When I heard the engine noise I looked at the dash, all was normal, the D for drive was visible. It happened very quickly. Once stopped and out of traffic, I tried to restart the car, it ran for just seconds then nothing. This car had just been serviced at the Kia dealer. It only has 51K miles on it. I had to have it towed to the dealer. They are telling me the engine is faulty but they don't make it anymore and they have no resolution for me. The car is only 4 months past the 5 year mark and it is under 60000 miles. It has been maintained perfectly, it still looks new. The original owner did all the service as well. Kia knows they have faulty engines, yet they do nothing to warn the owners or remedy the problem. The say their cars are good for 10yrs or 100K miles, then they should make it so. This car is a top of the line 2013 Forte sx (with all the bells and whistles). I believe it is also affected by the latest airbag recall as well.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #17

May 182018

Forte

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact heard a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The motor failed several times, which caused the vehicle to come to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed several times to the contact's residence due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to route 6 auto mall Kia (1049 grand army of the republic hwy, swansea, MA 02777, (508) 646-9700) where it was diagnosed that the motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and it was also diagnosed that the motor needed to be replaced; however, there was a delay in receiving the part from the manufacturer. Once the part was received, the independent mechanic would repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was not available.

- Bristol, RI, USA

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