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
161 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system, Jan 9, 2024
THE HYDRALUIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND CAUSE A FIRE WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED AND THIS RECALL HAS BEEN OPEN FOR MONTHS AND NOT FIXED. RECALL HAS BEEN OPEN SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2023.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 27, 2023, fire
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that he had parked the vehicle and upon walking towards the vehicle, he noticed that the front end of the vehicle had caught on fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report and a police report were filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it was totaled. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) that he related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power train, Nov 27, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and reversing, the gear shifter became stuck in reverse(R). There was no warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic assisted the contact in shifting the gear shifter linkages into park(P) manually. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the gear shifter linkages might be damaged; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to their location for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,630.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that there was a burning odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine, Nov 22, 2023, fire
On 8/28/2022 my 2011 Kia Forte's engine caught on fire and it caused damage to my entire garage along with my personal belongings. I had contacted Kia multiple times and was put on hold for over an hour at a time and hung up on multiple times until a few weeks after the fire I finally got a hold of them and they put in a "work order". After following up with them a week later I come to find out that the work order was put in for a car pare (the engine in the car was burnt to crisp). I finally had someone help and a representative from Kia came out afterwards they conveyed that after "their investigation" that "evidence shows fire and heat attacking vehicle from outside and moving into the engine compartment". Which is completely false per fire department who where first on the scene they determined the fire started in the engine compartment of the vehicle". This was very disappointing Kia took no responsibility for this. Now I receive a recall notice dated November 14th, 2023 stating that "the Hydraulic electronic control unit may experience an electrical short circuit, which can result in an engine compartment fire while driving or parked. This is exactly what happened to my car at the time of the incident so now they are admitting they were at fault.
Exterior lighting, Oct 2, 2023, fire
Light in trunk exploded and melted. This was the original light that came with the car. Thankfully the trunk was empty and it did not catch fire.
Power train, Air bags, Service brakes, Jul 30, 2023
No incident yet, but I see other Kia's that have been recalled for powertrain system and air bag issues. The power train issue comes up when I get my engine light checked and the airbag light is on. Also, a constant problem is the break switch, the push button car won't start sometimes and the steering wheel doesnt lock because immobilizer Is a problem and other Kia's have been recalled but not mine, instead they sent me a wheel car lock. I see online so many people complaining about the push button car not starting like mine which may be due to the immobilizer issue and theft. It is annoying to see other vehicle recalled but not mine.
Engine, Jul 7, 2023
My daughters Kia Forte, started making a ticking noise. Them more she has driven the car, the worse the ticking has become. Looking on line to see what the problem may be, it appears that this is a very well known issues with Kia’s. Also reading on your sight there has been MANY complaints for the very same thing. If Kia has been made aware of the issue and did nothing about it. I feel that is negligible for them. My daughter travels out of state for college. I would hate for her to break down on the side of the road. Our mechanic said that we should use a certain type of oil of her car, her oil changes are done every 3,000 miles. They now coast us 70.00 each time we have to change the oil. I hope that you will investigate this issue with as many complaints that have been registered against Kia.
Engine, May 31, 2023
I have a 2011 Kia forte had 130,000 plus miles when I bought it. I've had the car for 1 year first 2 months motor sound it 100% 3rd month I started to hear a knocking sound coming from motor I took it to kia dealer today for recall service so I asked them if they could here the knocking sound they told me that the sound was normal. I told them that when I got the car it wasn't making this knocking sound and getting louder each month. They changed the conversation and told me that i was there for them to work on a recall matter for my car. i don't know what it could be maybe the engine pistons idk but I have read a lot of people with this problem as well car has 145,500 miles now I have the oil and oil filter changed every 5,000 miles. I really think that this needs to be investigated asap as this could cost an accident if car brakes down.
Suspension, Air bags, Engine, Feb 19, 2023, fire
The car had a slow ticking noise that was very faint in the front for about 20 minutes 20 minutes later the noise continue to get louder about 45 minutes later six gear was lost in the car in about an hour and a half later the engine failed and the car Came to a failure lock down procedure all lights on the front door shut on steering wheel locked on friendship Road exit 8 and the vehicle had to be towed to a shop we’re now it was put on a lift and there is a hole in the bottom of the engine , And the transmission is not in tact
Engine, Oct 14, 2022
About 9 months ago, I started my 2011 Kia Forte up and it cut off. Happened on and off for the next 6 months or so, gradually getting worse and more often. Decided to take it to Kia, needed an oil change done at same time. Kia dealership said there is metal in my oil and means engine is failing. The stalling they said was a computer issue and reset it. Did another oil change about 3 months later at another facility, they did not look for the metal or notice any on their own. Today, vibrations started when sitting idle at a traffic light. No check engine light on.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 20, 2022
I went to Friendly Way Motors sometime on April 28th for a 2011 Kia Forte, there I met salesperson [XXX] who showed me the vehicle, it were my first time dealing with a dealership I'm sure he were aware, I then went on to have him jump it so I could go on a test drive, when then I noticed a whistling sound but [XXX] used his kinda old OBD or OBM meter to check and stated there may be nothing to it, so I listened to his expertise and later went on to purchase the vehicle through [XXX] in the office with [XXX] the owner I think, I kinda began to feel something was off when I had spent over $584.44 on car insurance through [XXX] with Dairyland through the dealership, but I assumed that's the way things are since they concluded it were due to inflation, we went through some papers concerning my contract which a few papers I went through myself since[XXX] suddenly got a call and then we resumed the papers, I left with the car felt sound at last, until not literally a couple weeks later I were experiencing a myriad of defects with the car, like it kept dying on me, kept making a myriad of distinct noises and mechanical malfunctions, all through which I contacted [XXX] to inspect and or fix until then when I were going to Tampa the 2011 Kia Forte then began to have power steering issues, and brake issues, both of which I almost got in an accident over, a putrid powerful burning smell from the power steering reservoir, battery problems, key ignition cylinder getting stuck on me, all of my dash lights coming on with the engine sign constantly on, not to mention although I am paying more than I would normally pay for car insurance, I ran into a ditch off of 100 Wolf pack Run in Deltona FL because of the power steering, I had no road side assistance. The police department, fire department and school campus came and went with no help, I had to wait till morning for someone to get me out. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Engine, Jan 3, 2022
The engine has had a ticking noise which has only become louder with more miles on the engine. The car has been serviced by Kia dealership regularly. The car started stalling during random times while drive. You release the gas pedal, it will almost stop. You push the gas pedal and sometimes you will regain power to the engine. This has almost caused me to have several accidnts. The car was taken to the Kia dealer and told the engine oil level was low. It was change 3 months earlier and had not been driven more than 1000 miles. The Kia dealer said it was an engine failure and would need to be replaced. I researched the car and discovered that it had 2 recalls. I have never received any information about any recall on this car ever. I was not notified of any recall when it was serviced at Kia for routine maintenance (oil and brake changes). I have owned the vehicle for 10 years now and it has 100,000 miles. I am disappointed in the engine failure which I was told $4600 to have a used replacement installed by Kia. I am seriously upset that I bought this car at the Kia dealership. Had it serviced at a Kia dealership multiple times and no one told me about any recalls, and I never received anything in the mail, email or by phone. Isn't Kia responsible to notify consumers when recalls happen etc?
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.
Engine, Apr 25, 2021
I HAVE HAD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE FOR A WHILE AND JUST IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS THE TICKING HAS GOTTEN MUCH LOUDER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND WENT OFF- I HAD TO REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE TICKING SOUND STILL CONTINUES -BROUGHT TO KIA THOUGHT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE STARTING TO OCCUR BASED ON SOUND OF ENGINE BUT NOTHING DEFINITE. I HAVE FELT SAFE WITH THIS CAR BUT NOW NOT SO SURE. I HAVE FAITHFULLY CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 3 MONTHS SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2011.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 16, 2021
BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN CAR IS OFF, I HAVE TO PUSH UP ON BRAKE PEDAL TO TURN IT OFF. WHILE DRIVING IT SEEMS LIKE THE BRAKE ENGAGES CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE POWER, I HAVE TO STEP OFF THE GAS, AND REAPPLY AND SOMETIMES IT STILL FEELS LIKE THE BRAKE IS STILL ENGAGED. THIS ISSUE DOES HAPPEN AT LEAST 3 TIMES DAILY. PUSHING UP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES GET IT TO STOP UNTIL I HAVE TO BRAKE. WHILE DRIVING MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TWICE IN 2021, THINKING THIS WOULD FIX THE ISSUE AND IT DOES NOT. HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 28, 2021, fire
MY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE BURNED
Air bags, Structure, Mar 25, 2021, crash
I WAS IN MOTION, TURNING LEFT FROM 13TH STREET NORFOLK NE, INTO THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO MY DRIVERS SIDE AND REAR DOOR DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE. MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO OPEN, AND THE FRAME BETWEEN BOTH DOOR WAS DENTED IN.*DT
Engine, Mar 22, 2021
AROUND 85,000 MILES ON A 2011 KIA FORTE KOUP THE ENGINE STARTED TICKING AND BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED. BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING TO KIA BECAUSE SO MANY WERE BEING RECALLED. IT'S ROD BEARING. I'VE HAD ALL NECESSARY OIL CHANGES AND WORK DONE TO IT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Mar 5, 2021
HAD FRONT COLLISION AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT ISSUE RECALL NOTICE LETTER FROM KIA I NEVER RECEIVED A FOLLOW UP NOTICE TO FIX.
Engine, Feb 17, 2021
AFTER OWNING MY 2011 KIA FORTE FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS IT HAS DEVELOPED A TICKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. IT IS VERY MILD WHILE IDLING, AND WHILE RPMS ARE UNDER 1500. AFTER RPMS GO PAST 2000 THE TICKING NOISE IS PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IT HAD ROUGHLY 85,000 MILES ON IT AND NOW HAS $125,000. I HAVE HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES ON IT, EVERY 3000-5000 MILES. AFTER HEARING THE TICKING I TOOK IT IN TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID THIS IS A REGULAR OCCURRENCE WITH KIA FORTES AND THAT THE ONLY FIX IS REPLACING OR REPAIRING THE ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH AND READING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE ABOUT KIA ENGINES GOING BAD AROUND 100,000 MILES AND I BELIEVE YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO KIA FOR THIS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON KIA'S ENGINES.
Engine, Jan 13, 2021
HI I BELIEVE U SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THE ENGINES FOR AN EXAMPLE WHEN I LOOK UP THE TIMING CHANGE ITS SAYS MOST HAD TO REPLACE THEN THE PISTON SLOP IS KNOCKING AND IT SEEMS LIKE MOST HAD TO REPLACE THAT. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A REBUILD KIT FOR MY KIA AND WOULD LIKE TO JUST REBUILD IT MYSELF BUT CAN'T SEEM TO FIND A 2.0 REBUILD KIT FOR A 2011 FORTE EX ONLINE... WHY IS THAT?