10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,862 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

Apr 152024

Forte

  • miles
On approximately, 04/15/2024, 8:00 am, My 2015 Kia Forte with less 115,000 miles suddenly shut down going 65 MPH! A severe accident was avoided by manhandling the steering wheel to get it to the side of the road. When I called the Kia's Consumer Affair, to report the incident, I was told there was no recall on the motor so they were not labile. I am very frustrated, upset and stressed that Kia's doesn't care about it reputation.

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

problem #17

Oct 252023

Forte

  • miles
My vehicle was broken into and there was an attempt to steal the car. I made a police report and they expressed that the car would have been driven recklessly and potentially crashed if it was stolen. The safety issues with KIA fortes have become a huge issue nation wide and the cars should be recalled to have standard security installed that a majority of other cars already have equipped.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #16

Sep 142023

Forte

  • miles
The car keeps stalling out while stopped. No check engine lights or anything. It will then sit for a minute ot two then start back.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #15

Nov 222022

Forte

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the rear driver's side brake light failed. No warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that she previously replaced the rear driver-??s side brake light three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear driver-??s side taillight brake wiring failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

- Compton, CA, USA

problem #14

Sep 292022

Forte

  • miles
Car has an electrical problem battery keeps draining changed alternator fuel pump starter and battery and still something draining the battery

- Masury, OH, USA

problem #13

Jan 012022

Forte

  • 144,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal burning smell would emit throughout the vehicle without warning. The contact also stated that due to this failure, the brake lights would intermittently fail to operate as needed upon depression. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they discovered burnt wires in the electrical box and had the box replaced; despite the replacement, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #12

Jan 212021

Forte

  • 45,000 miles
At night with the lights on and driving or not, when you use the turn signal the head lights will go off. If you wiggle the blinker arm, they will come back on. But you are driving without being able to see because the lights go off. This happens every time.

- Dade City, FL, USA

problem #11

Oct 022020

Forte

  • 82,000 miles
The air bag light is on like if the bags deployed but they have not vehicle has not been in accident. They tell me it's low voltage in airbag sensor? vehicle was off turned on and the light came airbag deployed light came on and has not been able to turn off.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #10

Jul 012020

Forte

  • miles
Sometime during the summer my airbag light came on and my car has never been in an accident since I have bought it. I have owned it for 2 years. Also there is some kind of electrical issue to where certain buttons on my steering wheel dont work properly

- Collinsville, IL, USA

problem #9

Oct 042020

Forte

  • 105,000 miles
Purchased a brand new car battery a week ago, the car was running fine, spent the day out, went back to my car and it would not turn on. Had to call aaa to get a jump on a brand new car battery. Went back to where I purchased the battery, they said it was not the battery, they did replace it and ran a diagnostic and they could not fine an issue and stated it must be an electrical problem. Went about my day, in the middle of the night, the car lights turned off on there own, I had to pull over turn off the car and turn it back on so the lights would work again. Yesterday, I went to switch my car with my girlfriend and it would not turn on or even crank to turn on, after trying for the 5th time, it finally turned on. I have a baby and driving my car has me very scared. Please help

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #8

Jun 212020

Forte

  • 87,000 miles
Prior to the engine incident I was experiencing the lights flickering, power window malfunctions. The incident occurred on 6/21/2020(father's day morning). I was on my way to the store when my cars engine seized suddenly. I recently had my oil changed in 4/03/2020. No problems reported at the oil change appointment. So the morning of 6/21/2020. I started the car and proceeded to leave my boyfriends house. As soon as I made the left turn out into the street I heard this knocking in the front of the car I'm assuming that was the engine then suddenly ! the car made this loud grinding noise and I immediately experienced loss of power while the car was in motion and the car suddenly stopped in the middle of the street as soon as I made the left hand turn into the street then the engine light came on and there was smoke coming from under the hood as if the car was about to catch fire ! thank god me and my boyfriend were able to push the car out of the street into a parking lot in nuetral. I was able to get it towed to a shop using my insurance and I had to leave it at the shop overnight in their parking lot because they were closed for father's day. The next day I get a call from the shop and they said they tried to jumpstart it, the checked the battery, oil level, and they said the reason for the engine failure was not oil related they said it was nothing they could do. I had to go and and look for an engine to replace the failed engine. It costs me aloooooot of money ! I only had the car for 2 years. I got it at a dealership but my warranty expired so I was unable to repair it through the warranty. The car just hit 87,000 miles ! I got the car at the dealership at 54,000 miles. I do not drive long distances, I keep up with all the maintenance on my car and my engine suddenly failed ! help !! this problem is too common amongst the Kia Fortes. I have a 2015 Kia forte5.

- Randallstown, MD, USA

problem #7

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 #6

Mar 012020

Forte

  • 10,508 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, the vehicle's ignition would sometimes shock them and smell as if there was a burning/smoking odor emitting from the starter. The contact then stated that the vehicle now fails to start intermittently. The contact contacted the dealer (car connection Inc address: 4425 dixie hwy, fairfield, oh 45014 phone: (513) 829-8022) who stated that the vehicle was functioning normally and did not identify a failure. The contact stated the failures persist. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,508.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #5

Sep 092019

Forte

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the lights flickered and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact was concerned for her safety stating that the failure happened whether on a main road or the highway. The contact was left stranded on several occasions. The contact stated that the failure has caused mental and financial hardships due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to southwest Kia-dallas located at 39650 lyndon B johnson freeway, dallas, tx 75237, (972) 283-9797, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ground terminal and several other wiring harnesses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted nor informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000. The VIN was not available.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #4

Jun 132019

Forte 4-cyl

  • miles
Is they a recall on the car Kia Forte the VIN number [xxx] on the battery terminals. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Clinton, NC, USA

problem #3

Aug 012016

Forte

  • 0 miles
Takata recall: My brake lights from both driver and passenger sides are always gong out. I constantly have to replace bulbs. I've even taken to a mechanic and had the entire lighting wires brand new and still have this issue.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #2

Jul 242018

Forte

  • 47,000 miles
Engine is blown. Had no prior warning. It happened at a traffic ligh on a major highway.. check engine light did not come on prior to engine blowing. Temperature gauge did not register hot prior to engine blowing. Check oil light did not come on and stay on prior to engine blowing.

- Stephens City, VA, USA

problem #1

Jun 062017

Forte 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise that suddenly progressed while the vehicle was being pulled into the driveway to be parked. The vehicle was not safe to drive and was towed to the dealer (world Kia joliet, 2525 w jefferson St, joliet, il 60435, (815) 725-2575). The dealer indicated that the engine was a gdi model. The manufacturer had not developed a repair solution and that there was a campaign to address the gds model types. The contact was uncertain as to why the dealer had not been able to determine a solution. The repair concerns were to be escalated but, when the contact followed up, they had not been escalated. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000. Updated 08/03/17 the consumer stated the dealer claimed the failure was due to poor maintenence. The consumer located oil change reciepts. The dealer the replaced the engine.

- Mazon, IL, USA