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.
Engine, Dec 18, 2020
THERE IS A CONSTANT KNOCKING COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND LOUD NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALSO TURNING ON AND OFF. 2012-2015 KIA FORTE KOUPS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN RECALLED, BUT NOT THE 2011 MODEL. THIS CAR HAS THE SAME THETA 2 ENGINE AND THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE IS SHOT AND WILL NOT LAST MUCH LONGER. I SINCERELY HOPE THE RECALL IS EXTENDED TO THE 2011 MODEL KIA FORTE KOUP. *TR
Engine, Dec 7, 2020
BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A SMALL DEALERSHIP AND IT HAD A TICKING IN THE ENGINE. THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS FROM SITTING. THE TICKING GOT WORSE AND I TOOK IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT I'D NEED A WHOLE NEW ENGINE.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 2, 2020
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I HEARD A SOUND LIKE METAL SCRAPING METAL, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20MPH GOING STRAIGHT DOWN S. MAIN ST DOWNTOWN WARRENTON, OREGON AND WAS PLANNING TO PULL OVER WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STOPPED DEAD AFTER A HORRIBLE NOISE OF WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A HEAVY METAL SNAPPING/CRUNCHING NOISE. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND EVERYTHING LOOKED OK, BUT SOME BLACK FLUID WAS DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND. THE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED ABOUT FOUR DAYS BEFORE THIS AND THEY SAID IT WAS 2.5 QUARTS LOW. I HAD ALSO TAKEN IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP TO SEE IF IT NEEDED ANY IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AS IT WAS MAKING AN ODD SCRAPING NOISE BEFORE THE OIL WAS CHANGED AND HE SAID HE SUGGESTED SOME THING TO DO WITH THE CAM BUT IT WASN'T URGENT AND TO JUST KEEP THE OIL FILLED IN CASE THERE IS A LEAK SOMEWHERE. THE OIL RESERVOIR WAS FULL WHEN I LEFT THAT MORNING WHEN IT SEIZED UP. IF I HAD BEEN GOING MUCH FASTER, I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN KILLED AS IT STOPPED COMPLETELY, NO COASTING TO A STOP. IT JUST STOPPED. FROM 20MPH TO 0 AND THE CAR JUMPED WHEN IT STOPPED. I DID NOT TOUCH THE BRAKES. IT WAS TOWED TO MARK'S AUTO REPAIR IN SEASIDE, OREGON. HE HAS NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM BUT DID SAY THAT METAL FLAKES ARE IN THE OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OTHER PLACES TOO. HE HAS A WORK ORDER HE IS WORKING UP BUT SAID HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT A MINIMUM. THEY CAN ONLY FIND SHORT BLOCKS FOR SALE AT THIS TIME AND SO THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON USING A SHORT BLOCK. MY OIL GETS CHANGED REGULARLY EITHER AT KIA OR A LOCAL OIL CHANGE SHOP.*DT*JB
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 15, 2020
ENGINE ISSUES! THIS ENGINE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASONS AND POSSIBLE LEMON. MY CAR HAS ONLY 106,890 MILES ON IT. THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A TAPPING NOISE. THEN I STARTED TO HAVE A LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING OR GOING UP HILL. HAD THE CODES READ AND IT SAID THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. REPLACED THAT. THEN IT STARTED TO IDLE ROUGH. HAD CODE READ AGAIN. IT SAID MAP SENSOR AND NUMBER 2 CYLINDER MISFIRE. REPLACED PLUGS, COILS, AND MAP SENSOR. NOW IT WON'T START. IT HAS NO SPARK. NOW IT IS SHOWING CODES FOR MAP SENSOR AGAIN. NUMBER 2 CYLINDER MISFIRE, THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SENSOR AND THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. AT JUST OVER 100,000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. OTHER MODEL CARS WITH THE SAME 2.0 ENGINE HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE 2.0 ENGINE NEEDS TO ALSO BE RECALLED IN THE 2011 KIA FORTE KOUP EX. I'M NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS MODEL CAR THAT HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES AND OR TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE.
Engine, Aug 14, 2020
KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE STARTED ABOUT 90,000 MILES, MAYBE EARLIER ALL SERVICE DONE TIMELY BY DEALERSHIP. KIA DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO HEAR ANYTHING UNUSUAL - STATES CAR'S GETTING OLD (7 YR). KNOCKING WHEN CAR STATIONARY AND MOVING. KNOCKING IS GETTING MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS THE SAME FOR SO MANY KIAS - ROD BEARING. CAR IS SPENDING A LOT OF TIME SITTING IN THE DRIVE - I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S SAFE FOR ANY TRIP - OR FOR ANYONE. RECOMMENDED SOLUTION: NEW ENGINE. WHY WOULD I PUT A NEW ENGINE IN A, NOW 9 YEAR OLD CAR - SO THAT I COULD KEEP A KIA PRODUCT. NOT HAPPENING! WHAT IS HAPPENING IS ME LETTING EVERYONE KNOW TO STAY AWAY FROM ANY KIA PRODUCT!
Engine, Aug 9, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY 70 MPH LOUD CLANKING SOUND BEGAN AND ENGINE QUIT WORKING, I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND CHECKED MY FLUIDS,ALL WERE AT OPERATING LEVELS, THERE IS A RECALL ON THE ENGINE BUT NOT IF IT'S IN A FORTE.
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
Engine, Apr 20, 2020
CAR DEVELOPED A KNOCKING SOUND AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO DEALER TO CHECK OUT AND THEY TELL ME NEED TO REPLACE MOTOR. ALSO TOLD ME THEY ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM WITH MOTOR LIKE MINE. APPARENTLY THEY HAVE RECALLED SAME MOTORS IN DIFFERENT MODELS BUT NOT THE FORTE
Air bags, Feb 19, 2020
TOOK CAR INTO DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL SC165. WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR REMOVING/READING THE AIRBAG SENSORS. THE ESTIMATE TO READ THE CODES IS $150 THAT CAN THEN GO TO COST OF REPAIRS. WHY WOULDN'T A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM INCLUDE READING THE SENORS AND ENSURING THEY ARE WORKING PROPERLY?
Engine, Jan 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO CONCLUSIVELY STATE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. AFTER LEAVING, WITHIN LESS THAN A MILE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. VISION KIA OF CANANDAIGUA 2445 ROCHESTER RD RTE 332, CANANDAIGUA, NY 14424 (585) 394-4542 WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Engine, Oct 29, 2019
ENGINE MAKES VERY LOUD KNOCKING SOUND DURING FIRST STARTUP. LOTS OF OTHER FORTES DURING SAME PROBLEM PLEASE INVESTIGATE
Engine, Oct 21, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TAYLOR KIA OF BOARDMAN (7870 MARKET STREET, BOARDMAN, OHIO 44512, (330)-295-2376) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE DEALER ALSO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO TAYLOR KIA OF HERMITAGE (1460 NORTH HERMITAGE ROAD, HERMITAGE, PA 16148, (724) 418-4999) TO BE DIAGNOSED AND TEST DRIVEN, BUT NO FAILURE COULD BE FOUND OR DUPLICATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR AND THE FUEL ECONOMY SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE AND SENSOR INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. AFTER NUMEROUS INCIDENCES OF STALLING WHILE DRIVING & FAILURE OF ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR ENGINE CODES, THE CONTACT RESEARCH THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS THE CONTACT ASK MECHANIC TO REPLACE THE REQUIRED ENTIRE SENSOR PARTS OF THROTTLE BODY. FOLLOWING THIS REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAS NOT HAD A SINGLE STALL INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. *TP 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
Exterior lighting, Sep 18, 2019
REAR PASSENGER LIGHT CONSISTENTLY GOING OUT REGARDLESS OF LIGHT REPLACEMENT. REPLACED LIGHT BULB NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAD HARNESS REPLACED, PROBLEM STILL REMAINED.NOW ALL REAR LIGHTING HAVE STOPPED WORKING WHILE CAR IS ON.
Engine, Aug 5, 2019
BAD ENGINE KNOCKING/TAPING ,I HAVE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2.0 AND 2.4 KIA/HYUNDAI ENGINES KNOCKING/ TAPPING ENGINE,MY CAR HAS 97000 AND SOUNDS LIKE DIESEL ENGINE, BOUGHT USED THEY REFUSED TO FIX BECAUSE THE WARRANTY SAYS THAT I'M NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER ,SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS ,THEY ARE A LOTS I MEANS A LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT ,KIA/HUYNDAI NEEDS TO STEP UP AND DO A RECALL FOR THIS MAJOR PROBLEM
Air bags, Jul 2, 2019, crash
TAKATA RECALL: I WAS INVOLVED IN A NOT AT FAULT SIDE IMPACT CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND I WAS INJURED AND AM CURRENTLY SEEKING MEDICAL ATTENTION.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, May 21, 2019
BRAKE LIGHT STAY ON ALL THE TIME EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT OFF
Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2019
I HAVE A 2011 KIA FORTE WHICH HAS A BAD MOTOR WITH ONLY 106379 AND MOTOR IS RAPPING
Engine, Apr 5, 2019
MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE ROD BEARING THAT'S THE CAUSE AND SUGGESTED I CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS WITH A KIA DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF KIA WOULD COVER THE COST. THE KIA DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE SAME PROBLEM, REACHED OUT TO KIA TO DISCUSS COVERING THE COSTS, AND KIA TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WOULDN'T. I WAS TOLD EITHER REPLACE THE ENGINE WHICH WITH PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE AROUND $4,500-$5,000 OR I COULD TRADE IT IN AND GET A FEW HUNDRED FOR IT. WHY ON EARTH WOULD I BUY ANOTHER KIA IF THEY'RE NOT EVEN GOING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM WHEN IT TURNS OUT TO BE AN ASSEMBLY DEFECT TO BEGIN WITH. WHAT'S EVEN MORE FRUSTRATING IS THAT THERE IS A ENGINE RECALL ON OPTIMAS AND SPORTAGES WITHIN THE SAME YEAR AS MY FORTE BUT THEY DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO OPEN UP A RECALL. READING ABOUT IT ONLINE THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME (ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED) PROBLEM BUT KIA STILL WON'T DO A RECALL FOR FORTE MODELS IN THE SAME YEAR RANGE. IF KIA WON'T DO RIGHT BY IT'S CUSTOMERS, I DON'T SEE THE MOTIVATION IN CONTINUING TO GIVE THEM MY BUSINESS.
Engine, Mar 25, 2019
THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER KIA OWNERS AND MECHANICS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE ENGINE COULD THROW A ROD.
Air bags, Mar 21, 2019
TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CORRECT RECALL ISSUE (18V363). COMPLETED THE WORK AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. MY AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS "ON". INTERIM NOTICE ON RECALL MENTIONED IF AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND REMAINS ILLUMINATED TO TAKE TO DEALER. I BELIEVE, BECAUSE OF THIS, THAT THE TWO ARE RELATED AND THE REPAIR SHOULD LEAD TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOING OUT. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $200 TO CORRECT IT WITH A NEW SEATBELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IS THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINING ILLUMINATED RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL 18V363?
Vehicle speed control, Mar 8, 2019
MY CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. FULLY STOPPED, MY CAR IS ON 1000RPMS, I WILL BE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED AND MY RPM SHOOTS ALL THE WAY UP.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 1, 2019
ONE MORNING I STARTED THE CAR AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR ALSO MADE A KNOCKING/TICKING SOUND THAT WAS NOT USUAL AND THE ENGINE HAD AN ABNORMAL SOUND TO IT WHEN STATIONED AND IN MOTION. IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE, ESPECIALLY AS IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER RIGHT AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON. WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM AND FOUND OUT THAT THE LIGHT WAS FOR A CODE ABOUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD (BUTTERFLY) VALVES NOT OPENING/CLOSING PROPERLY. IT LATER ENDED UP BEING COMPLETE INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILING. THE CAR REQUIRED A COMPLETELY NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF THIS. IT ONLY HAD 82,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. IT ALSO HAD PROBLEMS STARTING OCCASIONALLY BEFORE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE CONTROL MODULE (VCM) WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AT THE SAME TIME OF THE ENGINE FAILURE.
Engine, Feb 18, 2019
ENGINE IS MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, KIA SERVICE REFUSES TO BE ABLE TO HEAR IT AS IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THE SAME ISSUE IN OTHER KIA MODELS USING THE SAME ENGINE. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE ENGINES INCLUDING THE FORTE, WHICH WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. ACTION IS BEING TAKEN IN CANADA BY THE APA, BUT NOT IN THE US. DETAILS OF THE ISSUE ARE DOCUMENTED HERE: HTTP://TJL.QUEBEC/EN/CLASS-ACTION/KIA-FORTE-PROBLEMES-DE-MOTEUR/
Air bags, Feb 5, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A CUT TO THE HEAD, AND INJURIES TO THE LEGS AND HIP. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: 1820224 WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 24, 2019
THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS ARE BURNING OUR VERY 3 WEEKS WITH THE PLASTIC BULB CONNECTOR GETTING VERY , VERY HOT.