10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,033 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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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #18

Jun 122018

Forte

  • 5,000 miles
While driving smoke started to come from under the hood.... I stopped and had a person stop and he looked under hood to see a gas line broke and was making its way on the motor

- Warrensburg, NY, USA

problem #17

Dec 122019

Forte

  • 64,750 miles
While driving my check engine light came on and the car began increased vibration. The light would go off when coasting and turn back on when accelerating. By the time I got home the vibrations continued even when in park as well as not acceleraing. Engine code P0303 was read from the engine light. I have now replaced the second coil pack on a cylinder in the past 5 months.

- Platteville, WI, USA

problem #16

Oct 012019

Forte

  • 20 miles
I was driving my Kia Forte 2016 in a regular street when it started jerking before it stalled. Luckily I pulled up quickly enough to avoid being stuck in the middle of the road. I waited few minutes then I started it again and I drove off. I did not have this issue with this vehicle, but I started looking into it online when I realized other Kia models were recalled for the same issue.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #15

Nov 072017

Forte

  • 25,000 miles
I was driving down the expressway when my car lost power. I tried giving it gas and it just would sputter, still barely moving. I had people almost hitting me. The car has less than 30,000 miles and I just had bought it 60 something days ago. The car will just loose power no matter how fast you going. The car is unsafe to drive.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #14

Oct 032019

Forte 4-cyl

  • 186,920 miles
2017 Kia Forte [xxx], when I hit a bump, the rear end goes to the right of left out of control, also I loose power between 40- 50 mph. At times the car would shake. After about 60, 000 miles the number 3 cylinder misfired. I replaced the coil pack and spark plug, however I'm still loosing power, information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hazel Green, AL, USA

problem #13

May 012018

Forte

  • miles
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced failures starting on a regular basis. The vehicle could take up to thirty minutes to finally crank up and start. The failure occurred intermittently over the past year. West broad Kia (9001 w broad St, richmond, va 23294, 804-270-9000) was not able to duplicate the failure and informed the contact to bring in the vehicle if the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.

- New Castle, DE, USA

problem #12

Oct 102017

Forte

  • 182,000 miles
Every time I hot a bump the rear end goes all over the place. Also at a speed of 40 to 50 mph the vehicle hesitate, for 10 to 15 seconds for no aparent reason. While I'm driving, especially going up a hill.

- Hazel Green, AL, USA

problem #11

Jul 092019

Forte

  • miles
Car will randomly hesitate and shake with powerloss maybe once every few days. This will happen when coming to a stop then accelerating again after driving for 30 minutes or so.cel will either not display or blink a few times but go away (and not show up on the history) making it impossible to diagnose. Took it to 2 Kia dealers, both said that they've seen this on a lot Kia Fortes., they have made the recommended repairs but still have the issue.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #10

Nov 082018

Forte 4-cyl

  • 33,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. While driving at any speed and attempting to accelerate or switch gears, the engine hesitated without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to car pros Kia renton (425-204-6600, located at 200 sw grady way, renton, wa 98057) where it was diagnosed that the vehicle performed as designed. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to chuck olson Kia (206-219-4040, located at 17001 Aurora ave N, seattle, wa 98133) where it was also stated that the vehicle performed as designed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no failure with the vehicle. The contact was provided a case number. The failure recurred and the contact called the better business bureau where an attempt was made to mediate between the contact and the manufacturer. The contact was referred back to the latter dealer. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000. '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).'

- Moutlake Terrace, WA, USA

problem #9

May 012019

Forte

  • 32,850 miles
- low miles and still under all manufacturer's warranties. - engine will idle rough, vibrating the whole car while stationary. Dealer could not replicate. - engine acceleration is poor from standing, dangerous in city traffic. Dealer could not replicate. - engine will shut off while turning left in los angeles city traffic, car is completely without power. This is very dangerous in city traffic. Dealer could not replicate problem. Instead, dealership told me that engine is leaking oil. Bs. there are no oil drips in my parking space. Another mechanic told me that my car is not leaking oil. Dealership told me that they 'will work with me'. meaning they will let me pay for each visit but they will not honor their drivetrain warranty. Engine burns oil. Engine burns oil. A new car should not burn oil. - engine will sound like a sewing machine when driving from standing and turning the wheel. Dealer could not replicate problem. (this was likely due to engine burning oil, oil low; after refilling oil, engine will not make this sound.) - I now must check my oil level at all times before driving and refill oil to full mark on oil dip stick. Hate Kia. - car cabin is too hot to drive in. Metal ECU at bottom of steering column inside cabin is 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Dealer could not replicate the problem. Hate Kia.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #8

May 062019

Forte

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed in traffic, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred after a routine oil change. The vehicle was taken to huntsville Kia (6519 university dr nw, huntsville, al 35806 (256) 217-1700) where the vehicle was diagnosed and a new engine spring and ignition cord needed to be installed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 90,000.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #7

Jun 292018

Forte

  • 7,298 miles
Leaking oil in the in the oil pan gasket, also a notorious corrosion in the aluminum engine block, the Kia have less than year, when I take into the oil change, the dealer did a inspection in the car, but never mentioned the leaking oil from the oil gasket pan. The second problems the break lights bulbs constantly keep burning in the back driver side a the passengers side. In one year I replaced 5 light bulbs.

- Rosemead, CA, USA

problem #6

Dec 222018

Forte

  • 15,206 miles
While sitting idle for over 45 minutes the car started to vibrate. When I began to drive it shook and did not pick up as it should when driving. When stopped at a traffic light it vibrates worse. I called the dealership to schefule an appointment for January 4,2019 but received a call today (December 31, 3018)to reschedule for January 18,2019. I've researched the internet and found that there are others having the same problem. I am a little leery in driving the car since the dealership doesn't have loaners and I must continue with my day to day living. I am not driving on the interstate with this problem. Stated earlier

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #5

Nov 192018

Forte

  • miles
2017 Kia Forte I buy this car brand new back in December 22, 2017 and last month the car start to shake while I'm driving then it start to jerk as if its getting ready to turn off. 3 days a go the check engine light came on I only drive this car to work church no long distance trips or anything I have been getting my oil change and everything that to help with up keep of my car so was thinking my car is a lemon.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #4

Aug 272018

Forte

  • 22,506 miles
Vehicle was in motion, smelled something "off", within seconds engine burst into flames. Entire vehicle gutted. Kia literally just installed a new engine, starter, battery, and intake 2 days prior due to engine locking up - with 22000 miles.

- Elgin, SC, USA

problem #3

Jul 142018

Forte

  • miles
Ignition recoil problems the engine has low power. Had it serviced and it still has the same problem

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #2

Jun 052018

Forte

  • 33,000 miles
My car begins randomly shaking. I have had all maintenance done at the Kia dealership as per my warranty specifies. The last 4 weeks, my car will randomly shake violently while idle, attempting to accelerate in the different drive modes. Yesterday, June 21st, 2018, my car started shaking violently as I was parked at the food city in chattanooga on ooltewah ringgold road.I was on facebook video messenger with my friend eating a mcchicken. I dropped my sandwich and immediately popped the hood. Upon opening, I see the engine shaking violently as before. My friend witnessed it as well. I immediately called Kia motors customer service. They called roadside service to tow the car back to the dealership in cleveland, tn. Today, 6/22/2018, Kia claimed they were unable to duplicate the issue and blamed bad gas. Even though the shaking happened upon returning home. My car has continually done this even with me using shell, bp, or 100%gasoline. Kia refuses to give me a fair price for trading to another car. The engine also ticks. I asked about this at the time of purchase on Jan 13th, 2017 by the sales associate matt hake and was told it was normal, even though the ticking as intensified.

- Ooltewah, TN, USA

problem #1

Jun 282017

Forte

  • 1,975 miles
The vehicle is the S model, new for 2017, I have driven the car approximately 2,000 miles since leasing it in September 2016. The car has poor acceleration, especially going up hills and merging into traffic (moving, city). It hesitates at traffic signals (from a dead stop). The vehicle tends to sway side to side from time to time (moving, city), the vehicle is under warranty and has been looked at by two different Kia dealers. A technician has rode along with me; felt my concerns, but cannot duplicate it. I was told in March 2017 that the computer had been "tweaked", but no further information.

- Roseville, CA, USA