5.2

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,800 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #5

Dec 152023

Forte

  • miles
I have 2 complaints with my Kia Forte. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" Yes it can be inspected. 1st complaint-The component or system that malfunctioned was the brakes, possibly caused from the entire braking system, the electronic parking brake software and any damaged intermediate shafts. The problem is like the Telluride SUV KIA. 2nd complaint is an intermittent burning smell mostly in the rear area after I get out of the car to park in the garage for the night. It does not occur all the time. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? After I was outside of the parked car on a level road, I saw my car rolling. I had to open the door and jump in to pull the emergency brake on with it moving. I was not able to get my left leg into the car with it moving so my left leg was dragging outside on the rough pavement and ruined my brand new shoes and hurt my left leg and big toe. I was shook up. Ever since, I always pull on my emergency brake when parked. 2nd issue- I am not sure of the safety issue with the burning smell. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, I did not know what to do. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" No warning and no symptoms prior to the issues. The 1st issue with the brakes occurred this past Dec. 2023 and was then only occurrence. The 2nd issue has occurred several intermittent times in the past 2 years with the burning smell.

- Monongahela, PA, USA

problem #4

Aug 152022

Forte

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where unknown sensors were replaced. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. Additionally, the ABS warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #3

Oct 112021

Forte

  • miles
I-??ve been having problems with my 2017 forte5 Lx for the last few months. The brake calipers tend to lock up from time to time causing my pads to smoke like crazy. I-??ve had my brakes serviced 6 times within the last year. Nothing seemed to help and I-??ve barely used the vehicle out of concern for safety. Recently, I spoke with a tech at my local dealership. He informed me that my forte has rubber bushings on one of the caliper pins that swells and gets stuck. His solution was to replace the defective pin with another pin that doesn-??t include the bushing. Since I followed his advice, my brakes haven-??t locked up at all. The original intent for the bushing was to reduce caliper noise but it does not help, instead hindering performance. The reason for my complaint is that this can cause the brakes to overheat and start a fire, while decreasing the ability to brake.

- Moncks Corner, SC, USA

problem #2

Jan 012020

Forte

  • miles
When I brake, the braking lights don't turn on. I have checked the fuses and the lights bulbs and they are fine. Yet when I brake, the brake lights don't turn on.

- Montclair, CA, USA

problem #1

Jul 312019

Forte

  • 24,000 miles
Rear break lights don't work when lights are off, but the third brake light does. When lights are on the rear break lights are on, but don't get brighter when the brake is used. Only the third brake light works lights on or off.

- Bolingbrook, IL, USA