10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,391 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 #11

Sep 032023

Forte

  • miles
As a loyal customer one of my KIA was stolen and the officer said to contact KiA so the cars can get the update on anti- theft software and a safety car lock to prevent this from happening again. Spoke with [XXX] and gave me this # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Austin , TX, USA

problem #10

Jul 102022

Forte 4-cyl

  • 29,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, he depressed the accelerator pedal to change lanes and heard an abnormal knocking noise sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the knocking sound occurred whenever the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine rod bearings needed to be replaced. The contact was informed by the independent mechanic that the failure could be related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). Additionally, the contact reported that he had also experienced failures with the loss of power steering functionality, but the failure was intermittent. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000. The contact stated that the manufacturer was notified but that they would not diagnose the vehicle without charge. The vehicle was checked by two different tire specialists. All of the tires were replaced.

- Ballston Lake, NY, USA

problem #9

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 #8

Oct 022019

Forte 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Steering wheel sticks at neutral position while parked or driving. Feels like there is something within the steering column sticking.

- Springtown, TX, USA

problem #7

Oct 102019

Forte 4-cyl

  • miles
My car had 6 recalls scheduled I missed the appointment. Now I only have 2 recalls. I've put 2 motored in this car already [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Edon, OH, USA

problem #6

Mar 192019

Forte

  • 68,000 miles
Backing up my car under the carport, as I was parked straightening my wheels, I heard clicking with each turn. Husband checked and found the same concern. Took car to Kia dealer the next day. They were going to try to replace the small plastic part in the column. Discovered they could not and now I have to purchase a new steering column at a total cost of $1,818.36. Ouch! I have never experienced this before. My last Kia lasted 13 years with no major problems. This is extremely disappointing and unnerving.

- Santa Fe, TX, USA

problem #5

Jan 172019

Forte

  • 108,000 miles
The steering wheel locked onto one side, I could not regain control of the vehicle as the brakes stopped working as well and it made a U-turn onto the same street I was driving on, hitting the curb, rolling over. I was found upside down in my car unconscious from the crash because my air bags did not deploy.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #4

Apr 092013

Forte

  • 15,500 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the power steering wheel seized and excessive force on the steering wheel was required. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,500.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 272014

Forte

  • 20,000 miles
I bought the car a year after it was released and it seems to jerk at high speeds when going over minor bumps in the road. Also shakes when riding through high winds. It seems extremely light weight and is hard to control if there is strong winds(15mph) present which extremely nerve wracking especially traveling long distances, or with my children, or on the highway. The jerking should not be occurring for minor bumps on the road, makes me feel the car is unsafe.

- Fairview Heights, IL, USA

problem #2

Sep 032012

Forte

  • 800 miles
Kia Forte 2013 purchased new and had problems with car when driving 55-70 miles at highway speed. The car shakes, tires make noises like they're flat, trouble with steering, really rough ride, smoke came from engine and the car has been a pain considering it's supposed to be new. It also leaks when it rains and sometimes you can't see out rear window. All these things and more were reported to Kia motors who sent me to dealership. The dealership scoffed at the referral, stated Kia motors knows about problems and allegedly checked Forte reporting nothing can be done and nothing is wrong. The car continues to have problems and is a total waste of money plus feels unsafe. There should be some accountability with Kia somewhere but there isn't...guess that's the business cushion.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #1

Nov 222012

Forte

  • 5,000 miles
Highway driving @ 65 mph with a crosswind gusting to 25 mph. Across front right fender. The rear of the car is far too light to hold it to the road straight. Broadside wind is of course a lot worse. Being passed by a truck you could almost get jerked right under it. There should at least be a small fin across the trunk to catch air and make some down force, because the trunk area is so short it may not even catch air if wind tunneled. 30 years of driving and being a retired professional driver tells me this is the most unsafe car I have ever owned.

- Burnet, TX, USA