2011 Kia Forte
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 161 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 16 Forte model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 28 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 35 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleJun 1, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Campaign 18V363000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, cooling unit and linesFeb 5, 2016
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Forte vehicles manufactured August 27, 2010, to November 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly manufactured, resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission cooler hose, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC129.
Campaign 16V070000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
28 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 27, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE CONTACT TO CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POST. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, May 1, 2014, crash
I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND IN MY 2011 KIA FORTE AT 70 MPH WHILE I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK AT ALL FOR ME TO STOP ON THE ROAD BEFORE I WAS PUSHED INTO AN 8FT DEEP DITCH, INTO BIG BRANCHES AND MY CAR THEN BOUNCED THROUGH A HUGE FIELD. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THEY SHOULD HAVE, THE FRONT OF MY CAR IS DENTED IN FROM THE IMPACT OF THE DITCH AND THEN THE SEATBEAT DID NOT LOCK UP, IT THREW ME INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME I HAVE PERSONALLY HEARD ABOUT THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING IN A KIA AND THE SEAT BELT NOT LOCKING UP. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 3, 2013, crash
LIVING ONLY 3.7 MILES FROM MY WORK I DRIVE TO WORK 2 TIMES DAILY, MON- FRI, ROUND TRIP. I COME HOME FOR MY LUNCH HOUR. NEVER BEING ABLE TO DRIVE FASTER THAN 20-30 MPH DUE TO THE ROADS & BUSYNESS OF THEM DURING THAT TIME I HAD NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE. I HAD NOTICED PRIOR TO MY ACCIDENT THAT AT TIMES MY 6 SPEED 2011 KIA FORTE KOUP WAS VERY RESISTANT TO PUT IT INTO 1ST GEAR. ALMOST AS IF IT WAS LOCKING THE SHIFTER OUT. HAVING IT LOOKED AT BY A KIA DEALERSHIP, THEY CLAIMED IT WAS JUST "USER ERROR"...PERHAPS MY FOOT WASN'T PRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE CLUTCH OR B/C I'M A WOMAN? THIS WAS NOT MY FIRST MANUAL CAR! SO AS I LEFT MY HOUSE FOR WORK AFTER LUNCH I NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME I UPSHIFTED MY CAR DID THIS JERKING THING, ALMOST AS IF THE BRAKES WERE WORKING WHEN THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN. I TOLD MYSELF WHEN I GET TO WORK (IN 8 MINS) I WOULD CALL MY BROTHER WHO IS A MECHANIC. I DIDN'T GET MY CAR TO WORK SAFELY. I ENDED UP REAR ENDING A TRUCK WHO ROLLED FORWARD INTO A NEW CAMARO, EVERYONE WAS OK THANK GOD! AS I APPROACHED THE STOP LIGHT W/3 CARS STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT ALREADY. I PROCEEDED TO SLOW DOWN .3 MILES FROM THE LIGHT & IT SEEMED AS IF IT WAS SLOWING DOWN IN SLOW MOTION. WHEN I REALIZED MY BRAKES WEREN'T ACTUALLY SLOWING THE CAR DOWN FROM 28MPH, I DID EVERYTHING I COULD TO STOP BY CAR BEFORE CRASHING. I TRIED DOWN SHIFTING AS WELL AS SLAMMING DOWN ON THE BRAKES. IT WAS AS IF MY BRAKES WERE NON EXISTENT. IF I HAD TIME LEFT I WOULD HAVE YANKED UP ON THE E BRAKE...I WAS ONLY 1.2 MILES FROM MY WORK! NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF NOR WAS MY CAR TOTALED. I PAID CASH FOR THIS CAR IN 2011 & SINCE HAVING WRECKED I'VE FELT IT WAS NOT SAFE FOR MY FAMILY TO DRIVE. AFTER FIXING THE REPAIRS & PAYING MY DEDUCTIBLE I TRADED THE CAR IN. I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW CAR WHICH I NOW HAVE A CAR PAYMENT ON. I HOPE THAT THIS ISSUE CAN BE DISCOVERED & RESOLVED BEFORE IT HURTS ANYONE SEVERELY. *TR