10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,550 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2017 Kia Forte:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #32

Jun 012023

Forte

  • miles
Headlights started to flicker off and on after using the blinkers. Just randomly. The alarm won't arm or disarm unless I put the key into the ignition, the alarm (and horn) is set off, I have to take the key out and disarm the alarm it with the remote. The car still starts, all the alarm does is make noise. The dashboard displays FUSE and the clock is always displayed at 1:00 when I start my car. They couldn't diagnose my car when I Took the car in for a recall software update, after the update hours later the headlights and dashboard lights turned off while I was on the freeway-no blinkers used when this happened. It happened several times after that. The dealer said they would need to keep my car and though it is under the extended warranty I pay for, there wouldn't be a rental car until it was diagnosed and if it is covered then they would reimburse me or my car rental. I had to wait several weeks until I could get an appointment, and my own car rental. Now the dealer said they couldn't find anything wrong. They kept the car because they had not addressed the inside fuse display on dashboard, clock, or alarm issue.

- Reseda, CA, USA

problem #31

Aug 012022

Forte

  • miles
The head light turn off occasionally when the turn signal is used and does not always come back on with out playing with it or jiggle it. It has put mine and others safety at risk at dark. The dealer recommends replacing the multifunction switch. Part is on a national back order.

- Martinez, GA, USA

problem #30

Jan 312023

Forte

  • miles
My car was parked in the car port. The rear back light on the driver side caught on fire. The police and fire department were called. I was not at home at the time, my neighbors used a plastic container to put out by time the fire department got there. The firs department stated that is was faulty wiring. I am waiting for the report from police, fire department, and insurance representative. The car was parked and there was no waring lamp. Fire department had to disarm my car alarm. I will be calling the dealer after this.

- Perth Amboy, NJ, USA

problem #29

Jan 302023

Forte

  • miles
Driving at night and low beam headlights both went out at the same time. The only way to drive safely was to use high beams. Opened hood and passenger's side light came back on, very dimly, and then went out again as soon as the left turn signal was initiated. Even the high beam lights flicker when the left turn signal is used. This is completely unsafe because there is no way to see without blinding everyone else on the road with high beams. Headlight bulbs were replaced less than 6 months ago.

- Dallas, GA, USA

problem #28

Jul 142020

Forte

  • miles
The trunk seal is not functioning properly. Water gets into lighting and causes mold in truck.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #27

Feb 232022

Forte

  • miles
When it rain, both rear taillight accumulate water inside of taillight lenses causing lights to blow. Dealership has replaced gaskets and it still happens. lights go out and no warning light indication on dash. Concerned this might contribute to rear end accident. This is a one owner car and no know accident to vehicle.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #26

Nov 232021

Forte

  • miles
Both low beams stopped working. High beams and all other lights work I replaced the bulbs and the low beams don't work at all and there's no relay or fuse and I can't find the problem

- Fairview, MO, USA

problem #25

Oct 072021

Forte

  • miles
My head lights keep shutting off and stop working, they have replace it twice already and again today Oct 7th 2021ir stopped working again, now I just replaced the bulbs on Sept 15th 2021 there shouldn't be any reason to change it out this soon. I keep calling the dealership about it and nothing back from them. Today I ended up not seeing and hit into a curb and smashed up the side by my tire on the passenger side, I'm very upset with kia they are putting my family in danger by not fixing it correctly.

- Pittston, PA, USA

problem #24

Apr 272021

Forte

  • 60,000 miles
The headlights keep burning out. I've had the car for a little over a year now and have had to replace the headlights 3 times. I was driving one night a couple months ago and both low beam headlights went out. That was very dangerous. That was my second set of headlights now I'm on my 3rd set and the drivers side went out. I paid extra for the best set of headlights autozone had to offer at the time as I was in desperate need so I could drive home and it still lasted the same amount of time, purchased on 1/22/2021. Also, they're always dim. For the most expensive set of lights I expected more. I did a little research and seen that this is very common for this vehicle. Why is this allowed to continue? someone is going to get hurt. Please research this and see what could be done. Headlights are very expensive. I have two other vehicles. A 2017 Dodge journey that has never needed a headlight change and a 2007 Ford escape that has only needed a few headlights in its entire existence. This is not right. The date listed below is the most recent incident.

- Newton, NC, USA

problem #23

Mar 062020

Forte

  • 40,577 miles
I bought this car brand new at the end of 2017. I have taken extremely good care of the car. A little over a year ago, I took it into the dealership to get something cosmetic fixed on the interior. I picked up my car and when I got home I realized both headlights and one brake light were not working. I took my car back in and they insisted that when one light goes out, they all go out which isn't true. I insisted that there must be an electrical issue and that I wanted a technician to check it since my lights were working just fine when I brought my vehicle in. After many different appointments and inspections it was determined that it was my wiring harness that was broken on the drivers side. Warranty didn't cover it. Less than a year later same thing happened on the left side, warranty didn't cover it. The technician even stated that the engine got too hot and melted the wires. He was surprised warranty didn't cover this issue since it happened on both sides within a year to a car that is fairly new and really well taken care of. Having both headlights and brake light not working is very dangerous. Especially when driving in a dark and rainy area. How has this happened to so many people and this vehicle hasn't been recalled? I am extremely disappointed in Kia and think there should be some sort of class action lawsuit or recourse. After reading all of these complains that are the same, I am shocked Kia has not taken care of their customers.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #22

Oct 012020

Forte

  • 48,000 miles
The low beam headlights hid have gone in and out while diving at night..then they have now blown out twice.at $100 dollars a piece..this is unacceptable..!! there seems to be a shot circuit in the light switch itself..it has blinked off when using the turn signal as well which leads me to come to this conclusion..

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #21

Oct 112020

Forte

  • 40,000 miles
Headlights have gone out multiple times even after replacement with new headlight bulbs. There has been one occasion where the headlights went out while I was driving at night on a busy road. I've had to replace the headlights at least every 6 months because of this issue. *when did this happen* date is the most recent of all occurrences. Headlights are also always very dim even with new bulbs.

- Palm City, FL, USA

problem #20

Oct 212020

Forte

  • miles
Front windshield smears everytime I use windshield wiper. I noticed this when I first got the car but thought nothing of it, and it would go away eventually. Now, I try to avoid driving when it rains because it seems the wipers just makes it worse. Also, my headlights do not do any justice. Sometimes I think I do not have them on because of how dim they are. At night, I would have to use my high beams on the highway or regular roads sometimes to avoid sharp turns or just to see the street lines.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #19

Sep 172020

Forte

  • miles
My low beam headlights are barely on. I can not drive at night without using my high beams. This is very dangerous and I have seen on the internet that this is a vey common problem that is not being addressed because it has not caused any serious harm to people. Kia needs to step up and do a safety recall to fix this problem.

- Van Nuys, CA, USA

problem #18

Jul 122020

Forte 4-cyl

  • miles
My low beam headlights have been an issue for some time now I have only had the car 3 years and at first the headlights went completely out after replacing the bulbs I no longer have enough power source going to the headlights to use my low beams anymore. I took it to Kia and they told me just the light bulb needed to be replaced on the driver side and my whole passenger side lighting system needed to be replaced. This sounds so wrong because both the lights work but they are so dim they are not useable. The driver side went out first the car was stationary then a month later the passenger.

- Lake Wales, FL, USA

problem #17

Mar 162020

Forte 4-cyl

  • 12,000 miles
While driving down the road the headlights flicker and go out completely. I have to flip the turn signal switch or tap the column to get them to turn back on. It happens several times on my 32 mile trip home from work at night. It happens in motion or stationary. Mainly when I use a turn signal or hit a bump in the road.

- West Frankfort, Il, IL, USA

problem #16

Jul 102020

Forte

  • 70,000 miles
I haven't even owned this car for 7 months yet and I have changed the lights 20 times! as soon as I change one the next one blows and the previous one will blow the following the week. I'm tired of making payments on a vehicle that keeps acting crazy with the lights.

- Beggs, OK, USA

problem #15

Jun 142020

Forte

  • 35,000 miles
My car was parked outside like it always is. Went for a walk and when I came back, my car had been on fire. After fire department did their investigation, it was deemed electrical. The light in my visor or the wiring to it had gone wrong. My whole front of the seats is totaled.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #14

May 262020

Forte 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Low beam headlights burn out every 2-3 months, one after the other. Sometimes one will go out and be out for a couple days and then come back on, but usually they go out and stay out until the bulb is replaced.

- Kingsville, MO, USA

problem #13

May 072020

Forte 4-cyl

  • miles
My car has been parked and every time I go outside my lights are on. The has been going for a month. I have been having problems out of my headlights every since I purchased the car this has gotten to be costly. When I?M driving sometimes the headlights on the passenger side will go out. These lights have had me buying batteries and bulbs.

- Mansfield, LA, USA

Read the next 12 complaints »