10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,618 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 #12

Jul 302021

Forte

  • miles
I bought this car in July of 2021 and ever since then the car has been burning oil like crazy. I-??m talking 1500-2000 miles I am going through 2-3 quarts of oil. As this is a new car this should not be an issue. When my timing went out at 79,000 I mentioned this to the dealership about the tremendous amount of oil it was consuming they blew it off and acted as if it was normal. Also the forward collision warning camera obstructed has been a constant issue especially in the fact that when it happens and I-??m going over 40 mph and it-??s almost made me crash 2 times because it did it during icy conditions. The light also comes on during the summer on a hot sunny day.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #11

Feb 132019

Forte

  • 1,100 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the instrument panel, radio, and A/C were inoperable. The contact also stated that the steering wheel had become firm. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was a faulty wiring harness, steering, instrument cluster, and additionally the oil drain plug was leaking. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 1,100.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #10

Jun 102022

Forte

  • miles
I have been having issues with my daytime running lights and brake lights going out and then coming back on randomly for almost 2 years. I have lost count of how many bulbs have been replaced. In May 2023, Deland Kia replaced the harness for the rear passenger brake light as they said it was melted, and 3 months later it is happening again. My radio changes stations by itself, my driver window would roll down by itself (window was fixed and hasn't given me any problems since). My forward collision light comes on at random and my car has slammed its brakes when I was nowhere near another car or anything obstructing. My steering wheel will jerk to the right on its own. These cars are death traps.

- De Leon Springs, FL, USA

problem #9

Jul 022023

Forte

  • miles
Alternator overheated and caught on fire.

- Methuen , MA, USA

problem #8

Jan 232023

Forte

  • miles
It has been a reoccurring problem where the car will suddenly shut off in the middle of driving. I have already taken it to Kia 4 times and the problem has not been fixed. There is a creaking noise and when I specifically turn left, it will trigger the oil light and it will flash. Recently, it has not been starting. It has definitely put my life and other at risk but I have no choice but to drive it because of work and school.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #7

Jul 182022

Forte

  • 50,100 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the message "Check Brake Lights" displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. However, upon inspecting the brake lights, her father noticed that the brake lights were operating as designed. The contact stated after her mother had parked the vehicle, her father inspected the brake lights for a second time and noticed that the brake lights had failed and the brake light bulbs had melted. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,100.

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #6

Apr 062021

Forte

  • 375 miles
I have lost power pulling out into traffic, car has lost all function when pulling out into traffic, 1 time when pulling out of a parking lot the car locked the wheels and slammed it onto a curb. Every time the screen display in the car glitches. I have been going down the road and the emergency braking applied for no reason. Had to replace the battery was going down the road and the car shut off (at night) Kia has had this car multiple times and has no idea what is wrong with it. I filed a report with Kia cause I want my money back and this car should not be sold to an individual until they figure it out and fix it. Last week the mirrors quit working as well but they said it needed a master switch. Already had some kind of computer recall and took it in to be replaced. Car still scares me to drive it. I have not heard back from Kia and was told it does not qualify for the lemon law as they seem to have no idea how to fix it much less get it to duplicate for a diagnosis. But the stalling, glitching and loosing power is almost always at take off. One time I just knew I was going to end up in the hospital or morgue as it was a very busy highway at rush hour. 3 times was on take off and when I was making a turn. Sometimes the screen/radio won't even work or connect to any devices either. Kia told me to record it happening, they must be crazy it happens so fast all I can concentrate on not getting injured or killed or injuring or killing anyone also when we first took the car home I noticed a banging under the car like something hitting under the floor board took it to Kia a few times for that as well and since they couldn't duplicate it they said I probably have a something under the seats doing it. But I told them that made no sense cause could feel it under my feet while driving it.

- Morristown, TN, USA

problem #5

Feb 042021

Forte

  • miles
Passenger side low beam headlight keeps going out, works for a then goes out

- Hammond, IN, USA

problem #4

Feb 012020

Forte

  • 26,087 miles
I've been having issues with the fcw (forward collision warning) not working properly over a year. At first I thought it would correct itself, but the problem became more prevalent, and with research, others have said they've had this same problem as well. There have also been numerous times when I've been merging onto an interstate and the car would not go over 60-65 mph no matter how hard I pushed the gas. Yesterday was when the real issues began. I was driving on a city street when my entire system blacked out. I could see anything on the screen, and this was surprising to me because I had just taken my car to a local Kia and they said they had updated the system. About 20-30 minutes later I visit a local store to pick up a few items. The car had to be off only 2 or 3 minutes, when I return and started to start the car it sputtered and would 'turn over.' I attempted a few more times and it finally did so. My car only had about 26,000 miles, there is no way I should be experience problems as such, and I get it serviced regularly. Lastly, I was on my way home and I stopped at a family members house to pick up some things and I parked about 10-15 feet from the house and I leave the car idling in park. Before I even walk away from the car, I stood at my car door talking for about a minute or 2. I'm in the house for about 15-20 minutes them all of a sudden there is a loud thud outside. My car has managed to fall out of gear and roll into my family members porch. It sustained some damage to the drivers side bumper and fender. With more research I discovered that this has been a problem with this particular make and model as well. This car is basically a lemon.

- Tuskegee, AL, USA

problem #3

Feb 032020

Forte

  • 62 miles
Problem 1, long crank hard start. Have to cycle the ignition key several times to get engine started. No PCM codes. Had to Kia dealer multiple times. Cannot duplicate issue. Problem 2, instrument cluster goes blank, radio goes blank and engine stalls while driving. This is a safety concern.

- Palmyra, NY, USA

problem #2

Oct 022019

Forte

  • 2,200 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact noticed that the soy based wiring attracted rodents, which chewed the wires and caused the electrical components to short out. The vehicle was taken to lou fusz Kia (1025 N lindbergh blvd, St louise, mo 63132, (3124) 595-4900) where it was determined that the vehicle was not covered by the factory or extended warranties. The contact stated that the technician replaced the downstream oxygen and transmission output sensors, which was a one time repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 2,200.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #1

Sep 102019

Forte

  • 11,496 miles
Hit a parking space bumper with front bumper, passenger side, lower edge. Several days later, dash msgs said I had steering problems, ABS, collision avoidance failure and to see dealer immediately. Called Kia roadside service and reported dash msgs and they said not to drive vehicle and towed it in to salt lake city dealer. Dealer refused warranty svc because of bumper damage and advised wiring harness out, $4200 repair or $468. Patch repair. Is this vehicle safe to drive with wiring harness able to be knocked out from hitting a parking space bumper with slight lower edge damage, that could also be caused by rock bouncing up from highway or any other road material that is encountered every day. Mileage was 11496 at time of towing in to jerry seiner, Kia dealer case 13347285

- Green River, WY, USA