10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 16,959 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.
On May 25th 2023 I was driving on the highway when I experienced extreme loss of power and the infotainment screen displayed "possible engine condition". Considering I was driving 70 mph on the highway it was super dangerous because there were several 18 wheelers driving on the highway alongside me it could have been deadly for many of us. Thankfully I was able to get to the shoulder to assess the situation. I have been unable to get my vehicle to a dealership since I was traveling and had to leave my vehicle 150 mi from where I live. If Kia knew there was some sort of issue with engine failure and extreme loss of power they should have issued notification before other than have people possibly die on the highway from engine failure.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
Im a retired mechanic I have 2016 Kia Forte lx 1.8l 6spd manual from my diagnostic scanner it showed the instrument cluster has a short in it which caused all the warning lights to come on when really the only thing that was really bad was a right front wheel speed sensor I replaced it but with the instrument panel short the ecu cant tell what's working and what's not the car only has 64000 miles and all this is still going on a diagnostic scanner cant tell what real and what's not I will never own another Kia product in my life and [XXX] sure wouldn't recommend one. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Clarksville, IN, USA
Since I have had this vehicle the horn was low. I rarely drive my vehicle so for the horn not to be working is really crazy. I have heard from other Kia owner that they also have had to replace the horn. This is crazy.
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
The horn works then it don't work the car feels like it looses pressure as driving car just got 5/19/20.
- Hendersonville, NC, USA
The car has been making weird noise and then all the lights turn on and off. Car sounds like it wants to turn off and then the radio satellite. Car sounds like it wants to shut off
- Orlando, FL, USA
Kia Forte 2016 - while driving the engine shuts off and it loses power steering breaks, this has happened many times. Stopped at a red light, starting the car, driving 10 mph, 50mph, 35 mph. I have had to use the emergency break to stop. The car is still in drive, the key is turned on, the dashboard goes out, but the radio and clock stay on. I have taken it to 2 Kia dealerships 4 times total and the issues continue. Not safe to drive.
- Highland, MI, USA
Takata recall when turning my vehicle off there is a ticking coming from the computer when sitting still it will car will aisle up in try to take off a little with the foot on the brake it also shakes when the vehicle is in park and L I have reported these problems before and the head gasket had to be replaced in the motor on the vehicle a little after the warranty replacement was done the ticking begin again under the hood and the shaking and everything is starting over again and I keep taking it to the dealership and they keep telling me they don't see anything wrong which is exactly like the first time when I was start taking it before they had to replace the head gasket in my motor
- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
2016 Kia Forte clock spring failure. Horn doesn't function. Cruise control doesn't work from clock spring failure. The idle is out of control at times. Revs high while started but in park, sometimes not enough car dies. Possible no deployment of airbag. I read several other complaints of other Kia horn not working they had to replace clock spring. Kia manufacturers need to send out recall. Kia please help fix this issue.
- South Charleston, WV, USA
The Kia Forte caught fire as my husband was driving down the interstate (the car was in motion). We had only had the car for just over a year. I am unsure what caused the fire however, the insurance reviewer advise that the fire started in the engine. My husband barley made it out of the car before the inside was completely engulfed in flames. The car was a complete loss it was hardly recognizable once the fire department was able to get the fire out.
- Spring Hill, TN, USA
When driving my car, my headlights are flickering/cutting off and on. I"ve talked to Kia motors several times and have taken my vehicle back to the service dept at the dealership 3 times but the problem is not resolved. I know this is a safety issue and im afraid to drive my car at night. Please help me resolve this issue.
- Forkland, AL, USA
I went hunting and went to go back to my car at the end of the evening. My car was parked on a grass lane by a woods with the key out of the egnition. When I got to the car it was dark so I did not notice anything at first, but when I went to unlock my door and my keyless entry would not work. But my buddy noticed that my lights flashed as if it was working. I used my key to open my driver side door and was hit by a cloud of smoke. My whole door panel was melted along the speaker and half of the door. The fire was out by the time I arrived. Kia in lima wouldn't take any responsibility for the vehicle after a long drawn out process and poor communication from them, but my insurance company deamed it an electrical fire. I do not have the paperwork at the moment but can have it available asap.
- Van Wert, OH, USA
While setting in parking lot with car in park and engine running, multiple instrumentation failure, anti slip, tire pressure, a.B.S. check engine light, regular braking light, engine miss firing... rough shifting, was able to limp car to closed Kia dealer.. on a Sunday night.. they kept car 3 days.. could not find why car has multiple failures..they called Kia engineer.. still had no clue as to problem.. finally..said they cleared 2 codes from computer.. car ran good.. for 2 days..then when wife was driving to work in lutherville md. Again multiple failures.. she had almost no braking.. had to drift car into nationwide Kia.. parking lot a few blocks from her work.. they had car for almost 2 weeks.. with no clue as to why for second time in a few days.same failures again.. transmission felt and sounded like it was coming out of car...they said later they started it.. and only a.B.S. was lit.. and when they restarted car a.B.S. light was off.. with still no answer why it is failing.. car is very very unsafe to drive.. we have lost all confidence in vehicle, .. it is a danger to my wife and public...we have notified.. hagerstown Kia.. also Kia Corp. Hagertown Kia.. said it's not their problem.. with no regard for the safty of my wife.. or the public..
- Harpers Ferry, WV, USA
Most recently I was driving on a rural highway when the engine stopped for no reason...I lost the ability to steer, all electrical dash lights were malfunctioning, I turned the key to an off position and waited...after a minute I was able to start the car.
- Sebastopol, CA, USA
Brake lights stop working took it to the dealership they said they would fix the brake switch but I'm responsible for the bulbs and the relay and also have to wait until Tuesday for the relay. What's the point of paying for a warranty
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
While driving 50 mph the dash board went black and the car powered completely down.
- Simpsonville, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Forte. While making a left turn, the vehicle stalled without warning and all the lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt had a dent where the sensor was located. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the interior of the vehicle had a mold odor. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,674.
- Whittier, CA, USA
- Los Angeles, CA, USA