10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,808 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #29

Feb 012022

Forte

  • miles
Ki Aforte 2014 steering wheel has started making a noise while turning when stationary. As with Kia Soul and Optima models of same vintage, steering coupler part needs to be replaced

- Coppell, TX, USA

problem #28

Sep 302021

Forte

  • 52,177 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel made a knocking sound. The contact stated that the first time the failure occurred was in late September with the knocking sound only happening while turning either to the left or the right. The contact stated that recently the failure started occurring whenever the vehicle was being driven. The contact stated that the steering wheel was not secured and felt as if it was going to detach. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 52,177.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #27

Jun 252021

Forte

  • miles
2014 Kia Forte 1.8l steering is very hard or stiff to rotate especially from right to left when driving at more than 20 mph rendering lane change on roads and expressways very dangerous, and simply maneuvering steering very difficult. It feels like steering is jamming or being stuck. Besides hear a click sound from the steering even when car is stationary. Started experiencing hard steering problem at the end of June 2021.

- Bellerose, NY, USA

problem #26

May 142021

Forte

  • miles
Steering coupler needed to be replaced. There have been warranty extensions for this part on several Hyundai cars as well as Kia Optima. Same issue as I experienced. No recall yet on my vehicle. Had to pay $500 to get replaced

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #25

Jan 012020

Forte

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine vibrated abnormally. During the failure, the vehicle loss power steering assist and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. The check engine warning light and oil light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the engine coils however, the failure persisted. After receiving notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V750000 (engine), the vehicle was taken to Kia of greenville located at 2424 laurens rd, greenville, SC 29607 however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

- Piedmont, SC, USA

problem #24

Nov 122019

Forte

  • 179,340 miles
Air bag light flashes on and off for few weeks finally resting to steady on. There is no crash case at all. Steering wheel makes knocking sound when rotated while the car is not moving.

- Bellerose, NY, USA

problem #23

Jun 222020

Forte

  • miles
The radio turns it's self on and off. One minute the horn is working the next minute the horn is not working. The horn works when it wants to work. The airbag light came on out of nowhere the car was not in a wreck or anything of that nature. Same with the buttons on the steering wheel. If you use the buttons to change the song on the steering wheel it actually turns radio completely off instead of changing the song. And that happens with the volume button as well. I've already been to a mechanic and told them that I think there is an electrical issue but I just get looked at like I'm crazy.

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #22

Jul 032020

Forte

  • 65,000 miles
There is a noticeable noise each time when turning the steering wheel both at rest and in motion. The vehicle and steering wheel has excessive vibration when braking. There is also excessive play in the steering wheel. The suspected problem is a failure of the flexible coupling in the steering column. Kia has addressed this issue in other model cars such as the optima of the same model year but not for the Forte.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #21

Jul 032020

Forte

  • 65,000 miles
The airbag light stays on. I've checked and there are no error codes. Controls on the steering wheel also do not work and are unresponsive. The cruise control settings are unreliable and can lead to potential safety problems. After some research it appears to be a defective clock spring. Kia should cover the replacement under warranty.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #20

Aug 082020

Forte

  • 105,000 miles
My 2014 Kia Forte has started making a clicking/popping noise when I am turning right or left. It sounds like the steering wheel is gonna come off of the steering column where it locks, and I am afraid it is gonna lock up on me driving down the road. It clicks/pops whether the vehicle is stationary or if you are driving, and is getting worse.

- Moulton, AL, USA

problem #19

May 272020

Forte 4-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
My airbag light came on and then the steering wheel controls all are not doing what they are intended to do. I did a google search and it is saying the clock spring. It also states that they are made to last a life time of the vehicle. I took it to towbin Kia in henderson nv. They confirmed it is bad and not covered under my extended warranty. This is a safety issue being it is the airbag in the steering wheel. And is very expensive to fix. I noticed on the google search many many other people are having the same issue. When I am in the drivers seat whether I am stationary or in travel motion the air bag light is on constant. The cruise control buttons do not do what intended...for example push cruise and it comes on but will go right off. The audio control such as bluetooth button turns radio up... the call button say please say a command the hang up button won't hang up the call and changes the station on radio. Very confusing. But the clock spring controls airbag and steering wheel controls....confirmed by Kia that this is intended functions. None works. I feel this item should be a recall issue due to safety requirements of the airbags. If the airbags deploys while driving without an accident or if it does not deploy at the time of an accident could be deadly either way.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #18

Jan 212016

Forte

  • miles
Airbag light for passenger comes on and off with or without a passenger sitting in the seat. Airbag light for the driver is on now, as well and will not turn off. The steering wheel knocks when the car is making a left or right turn and the horn has now stopped working because something is in the way and won't allow the pressure in the steering wheel. We have replaced bulbs for the tail light, brake lights and headlights multiple times a year. This can't be normal! we now keep bulbs in the car to be prepared to replace at any time. Was involved in a wreck, where a truck ran the red light and hit the passenger side of the car and no airbags deployed. This is troubling and extremely unsafe.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #17

Jun 032019

Forte

  • 60,000 miles
My vehicles steering coupling pings and sounds like it's come loose or broken. Same issue happened to another Kia in the family a 2012 Kia soul my brother in law owns. That Kia had a recall for the steering coupling, the 2014 Kia Forte does'nt have this for a recall yet by Kia. I contacted Kia complaint #13202206 for resolution but no resolution rec'd to date 12/13/2019.

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

problem #16

Oct 232019

Forte

  • 56,000 miles
Drove over train tracks at 15 mph and felt it break. At stop, steering wheel has play when turned lightly. Knocks loudly when going over bumps and turning. Part can cause steering to lock up at any moment while turning and very unsafe. $13 part, $200 labor

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #15

Jun 232019

Forte

  • 76,000 miles
Steering: Steering makes a loud knocking noise under the dashboard when turning the wheel left or right. Noise happens when vehicle is stationary or moving at any speed. Kia has recalled some 2014-2016 souls with the same problem but they have not recalled the Forte. Lighting: Headlights and dashboard lights go out when turning on the turn signals.

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #14

Jun 192019

Forte

  • 111,000 miles
The steering wheel mechanism will make a knocking noise that is felt more than heard. It seems to be getting worse, and is more noticeable when turning the wheel while stopped as opposed to turning while in motion. Research has shown that this is a very common problem among several models of Kia, especially in the southeast. I took it to a dealer today to have checked and was told it was the flex coupler. The receptionist told me they get a lot of these all the time and that they can become very dangerous if not fixed soon. My research also revealed that some models have been afforded extended warranties and free replacement, but others have not even though the problem, symptom, and solution are the same. Btw, the repair bill was over $400...about $2 for part and the rest was labor, tax and misc.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #13

Mar 202019

Forte

  • 70,155 miles
Play in steering wheel, when looking it up, problem seems common for the steering coupler to go out, causes a jerk in the wheel at times while driving. Sitting still it will have alot of play moving left and right and a noise. A extended warranty has been given for some models except mine.

- Hampton, GA, USA

problem #12

Sep 192018

Forte

  • 61,213 miles
As I turn my steering wheel, it makes a clicking noise. It also causes my airbag light to show on my speedometer. Something sounds loose when in the steering wheel when I drive.

- Valdosta, GA, USA

problem #11

Feb 272019

Forte

  • 60,100 miles
Vehicle was in motion when the electrical went out. The ABS, traction control, and steering warning lights came on. The vehicle was difficult to steer to the side of the road. Car had 60K miles. Battery is now on its 3rd replacement. Other prior warning signs were headlights flickering and occasional clicking when starting. These other prior warning signs have occured since 30K miles.

- Brea, CA, USA

problem #10

Feb 062018

Forte

  • 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. While driving and making a left turn, the steering wheel made a knocking noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering motor needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired and was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.

- Toa Alta, PR, USA

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