10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,145 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 #14

Aug 122022

Forte

  • miles
I recently inherited this car from my mother and it appears that the engine may have issues. There is a loud noise that comes from the engine intermittently. It is louder at times then other times. The oil level is fine and recent. I've done a lot of research and it appears this is a common problem for the 2.0 engine. I feel as though this could turn into a bigger scenario if something is not done for the lack of expense a person must put into these engines.

- Albion, NE, USA

problem #13

Jul 202021

Forte

  • miles
The engine has lower engine knocking. It has a rod knocking very loud. It could throw a rod through engine at any time, cause the vehicle to wreck and catch on fire. Yes, it was confirmed that it had a rod knocking in engine. yes, An ASE Certified mechanic. No check engine light came on. It just started knocking real bad and lost power.They appeared as I was driving down the road.

- Sonora, KY, USA

problem #12

Mar 102021

Forte

  • miles
My car engine burns oil like crazy. I received a recall notice and brought my vehicle to Gary Rome Kia in Enfield. I brought it in with the check engine light on as it was on listed conditions for the recall and when i was told everything passed i still had a check engine light and excessive burning of oil. The engine is not working properly and wasn't rectified during the recall process. I am afraid with how much oil it is burning it may lead to a fire in the engine compartment. I have followed all of the usual recommended services and was not made whole during the recall event.

- Windsor, CT, USA

problem #11

Jan 012021

Forte

  • 113,319 miles
When driving my 2015 Kia Forte, it sometimes when giving it gas to go it will not shift correctly, it taking a second or two. And RPM jump to 3500 to 4000 before it shifts. And it get bad fuel mileage sometimes too.

- Byars, OK, USA

problem #10

Apr 302020

Forte

  • 82,141 miles
On April 2020 we noticed that our 2015 Kia Forte was making loud, clanking noise. We took it to a local mechanic. Here is the problem in his words: * C/S there is a noise in the engine area, worse when cold. Engine has internal damage; unclear exactly where, but listening to a cold start from under the car seems to indicate a rod bearing. Removing the oil pan could help diagnose, but it isn't recommended as a replacement engine is the best solution regardless. He added 2.5 qts. Of oil since it was buring oil. He recommended we take it to a Kia dealer for further diagnosis. We called the dealer twice to setup an apt. To have the car looked at. The dealer said we didn't need to bring it in for diagnostics. They said based on our description that we need an engine replacement.

- St Augustine, FL, USA

problem #9

Feb 252020

Forte 4-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle cuts off in the middle of driving. Car has been checked by a mechanic and was told that there is no oil pressure getting to the engine. Mechanic replaced the oil pressure valve and it is still shutting off while driving. It happens more often in lower speeds/stop and go traffic.

- Darby, PA, USA

problem #8

Oct 122019

Forte

  • 68,000 miles
I have had a 2015 Kia Forte with the gdi engine in it. I have been paying on it for over 2 years now. I went to the store last night and when I started the car after I got out of the store I heard a loud clanking noise. Come to find out there was no oil even though I have it serviced regularly. Was running fine, no indicator lights. Went up the road yesturday it was making loud clacking noise. I immediately pulled over. Called my daughter and she came to the location and said I had no oil! even though I just had it changed. We put 4 qts in and had it towed home. Plz help!!! we have taken good care of this vehicle and it is still under financing!! I'm a disabled widow with no vehicle now!

- Englewood, FL, USA

problem #7

Jul 012019

Forte

  • 75,000 miles
I was sent information on an emissions recall on my car but didn't take my car in until I saw that the emissions light illuminated on my dashboard around 07/01/19. I called Kia manufacturer, I believe on 07/05/19, case # 13251901 and informed that representative that the emissions light illuminated and that there was recall on my car and asked how to get car repaired. The representative stated to take it to a Kia dealer and they would be able to see recall and repair. I called Kia and made an appt. For 07/18/19 spoke with dj. Kia stated that an emissions update in the car computer was done, no paperwork was given to me. The next morning, while going to work, I noticed that my car was smoking- a big cloud of smoke and there was a burning smell so I immediately took the car back to Kia and 1st spoke with dj. The smoke was lighter by this time but could be seen. Then, I spoke with kevin who stated that they did a diagnostic and couldn't find anything and that the car was not smoking any longer. He got one of the car technicians to drive the car with me to see if it will start back smoking, it did not, the emissions ight was not showing so kevin stated to bring it back if the emissions light comes back on. On 07/27/19, a strong smell of engine fumes came through the vents inside the car and the engine light came back on. I brought my car back to Kia and spoke with rob and left my car there, he stated that it was a small leak and he believed it was the gas cap seal and he ran diagnostic 3 times but did not have cap but will order it. Two weeks later, I called about cap, it was never ordered and spoke with kevin again and made another appt. To bring car in and gas cap was replaced but light was still on. They stated that they needed to order a part to do another diagnostics and part is not in 2 weeks later. My car is still not fixed with no resolution in sight.

- Temple Hills, MD, USA

problem #6

Jul 142019

Forte 4-cyl

  • 20,568 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. While moving the gear shifter from drive into park, the rpms increased and the vehicle lunged forward on its own, even with the brake pedal depressed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was involved in two crashes due to the failure. The first occasion, while the contact was attempting to park in a shopping center parking lot, the vehicle was placed into park and then lunged forward and struck a pole. The air bags did not deploy, but there was minor damage to the front end of the vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. On the second occasion, the same scenario occurred; however, the vehicle crashed into a banking facility at an unknown high rate of speed. The air bags deployed. The authorities were called and police report number: [xxx] was filed. There were no injuries, but all three vehicle occupants were taken to a local hospital to be evaluated. The vehicle was initially towed to Kia of Lincoln (1145 N 48th St, Lincoln, ne 68504, 402-434-7000) and then towed to an independent body shop for repairs. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with the failure. The dealer also informed the contact that one of their service technicians had heard of this failure occurring previously. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 20,568. ('parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #5

Apr 162019

Forte 4-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
Hello. My name is [xxx]. I drive a 2015 Kia forte5. It's the sx model with right around 91000 miles right now; and as of recently it has fallen ill. I took it to the dealership after I noticed a slight knocking sound as well as some weird misfires I was feeling. After diagnosis they told me and I quote "internal damage to the cylinder head&possibly pistons from what the technician gathers so far. A tear down to visually inspect is the next step. For the diagnosis though the cost is $134.98". based on the information received from them I contacted the warranty company, expecting them to cover the costs but for some reason was turned away. I am now coming aware that the issues listed above have been subject to many recalls for the exact same engine as mine, however I learned this information though a third party technician. Not once did the dealership mention it. I looked further and found several cases on many online Kia forums of people claiming to have the same issues with the same engine. I am just looking to have some help getting this situation resolved as I've had many people tell me that I shouldn't be having these kinds of problems with a car this young. Not to mention that my car still falls under the power train warranty as well as the extended warranty. Below I have sent copies of all the diagnostic information I received. Please respond as soon as possible. I thank you for your time. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #4

Apr 162019

Forte 4-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
Hello. My name is [xxx]. I drive a 2015 Kia forte5. It's the sx model with right around 91000 miles right now; and as of recently it has fallen ill. I took it to the dealership after I noticed a slight knocking sound as well as some weird misfires I was feeling. After diagnosis they told me and I quote "internal damage to the cylinder head&possibly pistons from what the technician gathers so far. A tear down to visually inspect is the next step. For the diagnosis though the cost is $134.98". based on the information received from them I contacted the warranty company, expecting them to cover the costs but for some reason was turned away. I am now coming aware that the issues listed above have been subject to many recalls for the exact same engine as mine, however I learned this information though a third party technician. Not once did the dealership mention it. I looked further and found several cases on many online Kia forums of people claiming to have the same issues with the same engine. I am just looking to have some help getting this situation resolved as I've had many people tell me that I shouldn't be having these kinds of problems with a car this young. Not to mention that my car still falls under the power train warranty as well as the extended warranty. Below I have sent copies of all the diagnostic information I received. Please respond as soon as possible. I thank you for your time. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #3

Jul 272018

Forte

  • 70,000 miles
I was driving on highway 8 in san diego, ca and I heard a loud rattling noise, the check engine light lit up and the engine died and I was lucky to be able to coast the car to the shoulder of the freeway. I had it towed to my Kia dealership in el cajon, ca. They looked at it and told me my engine seized and the engine was blown. I bought this car 11 months ago as a cpo and it is within the warranty of 10 yrs/100,000 miles. I've only put 21,000 miles on it. They are asking for my maintenance records and are having a special investigator to come out on 7/31/2018 to determine the cause. I have had one oil change done at the dealer in January of 2018, the rest of the oil changes I did on my own. The last oil change was just 2 weeks ago. The dealership is now telling me that it's up to the investigator to decide if the engine was defective and if they'll cover my engine under the powertrain warranty. When I took my vehicle in to the dealer in January 2018, I informed the mechanic that there was a knocking/pinging noise in the engine, he told me that this was normal. They never documented my complaint. After reading about all the problems with these engines and how Kia is handling these problems, I am very concerned that they'll honor the warranty. I am making car loan payments on this car and cannot afford to pay for a new engine while the battle over these engines play out in the courts, your investigations and the recent fbi involvement. The dealer never informed me of possible problems with these engines. I never would've purchased this car. Please help, I am concerned that the investigator will falsify what is found in the engine upon investigation.

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #2

Aug 182017

Forte

  • 30,000 miles
Its hard going up a hill and as I'm driving feels like car is pulling back while going forward.

- Trotwood, OH, USA

problem #1

Apr 152015

Forte 4-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. After the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic due to a crash, the technician stated that the transmission case was damaged and started to corrode. The technician stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact noted that the damage and corrosion was present prior to the crash. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. Updated 04/04/16

- Arabi, GA, USA