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: other or unspecified
13 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2025
While driving on my home the car started accelerating on its own.Good thing I was already close to my house.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2021
The driver airbag light came on in June 2021 - I called Kia dealership and they said there was no recall. Last month the passenger airbag light came on. Both appear to not be working. I do not have extended warranty and my car is past warranty. I am wondering if any other Kia owners have a similar problem. I have never been in any major accidents and am an excellent driver. I am hoping there is a recall issued in the near future.
Other or unspecified, Sep 11, 2021
In the last few months, the engine makes increasingly louder knocking/ticking sound. Took it to the Ray Skillman KIA service shop in Southern Indianapolis/Greenwood area . They say they have seen other cars with the same problem and that the engine will die and needs replacement, at a massive cost. KIA has recalled several other models in the same model years with this problem, but somehow skipped on the KIA Forte 2011 EX. Not sure if this is an oversight on their part or cunning. PLEASE INVESTIGATE URGENTLY. Several others are reporting this issue on NHTSA and the Dealers have probably seen a 100x number of complaints relative to what's reported here. Thanks in advance.
Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2021
The following situation has happened three times - once a few years ago, and again twice today (8/17/2021); When driving through standing water (estimated depth of 1 to 3 inches) like accumulates with moderate to heavy rain, the vehicle instrument panel displayed a low-battery alert and the power steering became inoperable. This lasted only about 3 to 5 seconds before returning to normal - but during those few seconds the car becomes extremely difficult to steer. This is a situation that could cause an accident. The rate of speed when this happened was low (approximately 20 mph one of the times - and barely moving (less than 5 mph) the other two times while entering intersections from a standstill). Fortunately this has not caused any accidents - But it needs to be investigated.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jun 4, 2020
BRAKE LINE BURST NEAR CENTER OF CAR WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. MAINTAINED ENOUGH BRAKE PRESSURE TO COME TO A SAFE STOP. INVESTIGATION REVEALED EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF BRAKE LINES RUNNING FROM FRONT TO REAR OF VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY AT CONTACT POINTS WITH EACH RESTRAINT. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2019
I HAVE A 2011 KIA FORTE WHICH HAS A BAD MOTOR WITH ONLY 106379 AND MOTOR IS RAPPING
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 15, 2018, fire
TAKATA RECALL CAR STARTING SMOKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF SMOKE INCREASED FIRE INITIATED IN CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE(DRIVER SIDE) IN THE CORNER UNDERNEATH WINDSHIELD. ENTIRE CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2018
POSSIBLE HOLE IN TRANSMISSION TUBE
Other or unspecified, Apr 1, 2018
ON 3/31/2018 AT 10:00 AM MY WIFE'S SUNROOF ON HER 2011 KIA FORTE EXPLODED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. SHE WAS NOT TRYING TO OPEN THE SUNROOF AND THE SUNROOF COVER WAS CLOSED. THERE WAS NOT A CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HER, AND THE WEATHER WAS 70 DEGREES AND SUNNY. THERE WAS NO FLUCTUATION IN TEMPERATURE FROM THE DAY BEFORE. THERE IS NO REASON WHY IT EXPLODED. SHE WAS STARTLED BUT NOT INJURED BY THE INCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2018, crash
KIA FORTE 2011,ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN,AND CAUSE ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME,KEPT ACCELERATED,UNTIL I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. WENT FROM 30 MPH TO 50 MPH,AND TOTALED MY CAR. I WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET,WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. NO WARNING,NO ENGINE LIGHT,AND IT NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2017
I HAVE A 2011 KIA FORTE, HOW CAN I GET IT OUT OF THE SECURITY, (STUCK ON SECURITY STUCK ON SECURITY MODE MAKE TICKING NOSE ON THE RT HAND INSIDE UNDER HOOD. I ONLY DRIVE IN THE CITY OF MEMPHIS TN, STREET AND EXPRESS WAY.
Other or unspecified, Sep 19, 2016
MY AIR CONDITIONING CLUTCH PULLEY ASSEMBLY HAS A FAILING BEARING THAT MAKES A WHINING NOISE. THE ASSEMBLY IS SEPARATE FROM THE A/C COMPRESSOR. I'M AFRAID THE BEARING WILL EVENTUALLY SEIZE AND CAUSE THE PULLEY TO FREEZE, WHICH WILL THUS CAUSE MY SERPENTINE BELT TO RUPTURE AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WHILE DRIVING. I THINK THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD THAT KIA SHOULD FIX AS IT SEEMS TO BE COMMON ON MY MAKE MODEL AND YEAR.
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2012
PROBLEM BEGAN 2/14/2011 (PURCHASE) AND CONTINUES. THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THESE HIGH FREQUENCY SENSORS AS NOTED ON A SHEET DATED 9/22/08 PROVIDED BY THE KIA ENGINEER. THESE DEVICES ARE PRONE TO SET OFF THE HIGH FREQUENCY SENSORS WHICH GIVES ME A FALSE READING. WITH THIS BEING THE CASE, THEN WHY ARE THESE HIGH FREQUENCY SENSORS INSTALLED IN VEHICLES? MY SENSORS ARE LIKE THE LITTLE BOY WHO CRIES WOLF.WHEN THEY ILLUMINATE REPEATEDLY ON AND OFF, I JUST IGNORE THE LIGHT AND WAIT UNTIL I TURN OFF THE CAR OR WAIT IT OUTWHICHEVER TURNS OFF THE LIGHT FIRST. THE SENSORS ARE NOT FULLY FUNCTIONAL BECAUSE SINCE THEY ARE SO SENSITIVE TO RADIO FREQUENCY WAVES AS STATED BY THE KIA ENGINEERS, THEN NHTSA HAS THE OBLIGATION TO HAVE KIA REMOVE AND REPLACE WITH SENSORS THAT ARE NOT SENSITIVE (AS SIMILAR TO MY FORD FOCUS WHICH ILLUMINATED AND WENT OFF WHEN AIR WAS PUT IN THE TIRE(S)). OTHERWISE, HAVING MALFUNCTIONING SENSORS AND UNDER-INFLATION OF TIRES CAN REDUCE VEHICLE SAFETY, REDUCE TREAD LIFE OF TIRES AND REDUCE FUEL ECONOMY WHICH DEFEATS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF A SENSOR. FROM THE 9/22/08 INFO SHEET: PITSTOP: OUTSIDE RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) AFFECTING TPMS OPERATION KMA HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL INQUIRIES REGARDING THE TPMS LIGHT ON WITH OR WITHOUT STORED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES IN MEMORY. THE FOLLOWING LISTED COMPONENTS/CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE CONTROL UNIT AND WHEEL SENSOR COMMUNICATION TO BE INTERRUPTED AND MAY CAUSE MULTIPLE DTCS. SOME CELL PHONE CHARGERS SOME LAPTOP COMPUTERS EXCITER TOOL CONNECTED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SOME PORTABLE NAVIGATIONAL DEVICES (GPS) AFTERMARKET RKE, BURGLAR ALARM, REMOTE START SYSTEMS POWER INVERTERS, PORTABLE MP# PLAYERS HAM RADIO EQUIPMENT HIGH TENSION POWER LINES AND RADIO STATION TOWERS VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT LOCATING DEVICES PORTABLE DVD PLAYERS INCORRECT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PART APPLICATION NOT CORRECT