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.
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.
Air bags, Mar 19, 2018, crash
I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHERE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT THEN LANDED ON MY FRONT WINDSHIELD AND TOP OF MY CAR CAUSING IT TO BE TOTALED. AT IMPACT AND DESPITE WEARING A SEATBELT MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAUSED EXTREME BRUISING AND PAIN. THE ROAD WAS SLICK WITH RAIN.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Structure, Mar 17, 2018, crash
TRAVELING 45 TO 55 MPH RAN INTO FOUR LARGE DEERS AND RAN OFF ROAD. DAMAGE FRONT OF CAR. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON BUT DID NOT FLATE. I SUBSTAIN SEVERE SHOULDER INJURY.
Exterior lighting, Feb 27, 2018
I KEEP HAVING TO REPLACE FOG LAMPS, BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLAMPS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED FREQUENTLY. THE COMPONENT YOU PLUG THE BULB INTO KEEPS GETTING HOT AND MELTING SOMETIMES CAUSING THE BULB TO BREAK. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHTS 8 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS AND THE FOG LAMPS 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS.
Engine, Feb 26, 2018
PUSH ROD BEARING
Engine, Feb 2, 2018
THE ENGINE IS MAKING A LOUD TICKING SOUND SO I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM 11 MONTHS EARLIER. THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WILL COST ABOUT $7,000. I PAID $9,000 FOR THE CAR 11 MONTHS AGO AND IT ONLY HAS 77,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE LEARNED THROUGH SOME EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THAT KIA HAS RECALLED THE ENGINES IN SEVERAL OF THEIR OTHER MODELS. THIS RECALL WAS PUT INTO PLACE BECAUSE THE ENGINES ARE "STALLING" AND POSING A SAFETY HAZZARD. THIS CAR CAN NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE ENGINE IS REPLACE. ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED AND THE ENGINE STILL GAVE OUT AT ONLY 77,000 MILES. THE DEALER IS BERLIN CITY IN GORHAM, NH. THE R.O. PRINT OUT OF CODES AND ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE IS HALF A PAGE LONG AND INCLUDES BLUE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST, MISSFIRING ON TWO CYLINDERS, KNOCKING, FLASHING "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT", LEAKING HEAD GASKET, ETC. MY RESEARCH SEEMS TO TELL ME THAT THIS MODEL LINE SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST. SEEMS LIKE THE SAME ISSUES AS THE ENGINES WITH THE RECALL ARE HAVING.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 22, 2018
I KEEP REPLACING LIGHT BULBS AND THE PART WHERE U INTRODUCE THE LIGHT BULBS IS MELTING. I WAS TOLD TO CHECK FOR RECALL ON THESE. THANKS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM A DEALER 1 YR AGO AND HAD REPLACED LIKE 4 BULBS WITHIN A YEAR.
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.
Power train, Dec 14, 2017
MY CAR BROKE DOWN IN DECEMBER 2015, WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY FIX IT. I PAID OVER 1000 USD. 2 MONTHS LATER THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAME REASON MY CAR BROKE DOWN COUPLE MONTS BEFORE THAT RECALL. UNTIL THIS DAY I HAVE TRIED TO GET MY MONEY BACK AND THEY DONT WANT TO GIVE ME A REFUND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELEY DUE TO THE HOSE OF THE TRANSMISION FLUID. 04/01/2021: ODI # CHANGED FROM 11054837 TO 11054367 AS PART OF ROUTINE DATA CLEANUP.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 20, 2017
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 20000 MILES CODE# P200A INTAKE MANIFOLD SENSOR
Engine, Sep 5, 2017
UPON ENTERING A HIGHWAY, A KNOCK OCCURRED AND AS RPM DROPPED THE KNOCKING SUBSIDED. NEXT DAY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND WHILE WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, VEHICLE STALLED AND RPM DROP TO ZERO. CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON AN ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE "LOCKED UP"
Electrical system, Aug 8, 2017
WHEN YOU START THE CAR WHILE IN PARK THE LOCKS ON THEIR OWN WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK REPEATEDLY. IF YOU START THE CAR AND PUT IT IN DRIVE THE LOCKS WILL ON THEIR OWN AGAIN LOCK AND UNLOCK 7-8 TIMES ON THEIR OWN. SINCE THIS ISSUE THE KEY SET WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOOR. KIA MOTORS CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jun 26, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE DAUGHTER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY STOPPED COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW A RED FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED OR TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V070000 (POWER TRAIN), HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-333-4542. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS PART OF THE RECALL. A CASE NUMBER: 12391153 WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Engine, May 22, 2017
"A SOUTH KOREAN WHISTLEBLOWER REPORTED CONCERNS LAST YEAR TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA), WHICH WILL PROBE THE TIMELINESS OF THREE RECALLS CARRIED OUT IN THE UNITED STATES AND WHETHER THEY COVERED ENOUGH VEHICLES." MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA (174000 MILES) WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH SIMILAR ISSUES BY A KIA DEALER (THE ENGINE BEARINGS FAILED ACCORDING TO THE TECH., WITH METAL IN THE OIL FILTER) THE SOUND IT MAKES IS ALSO HEARD, THOUGH LESS OBVIOUS WHEN DRY STARTING MY 2011 KIA FORTE. PLEASE LOOK INTO INCLUDING BOTH OF THESE CARS IN THE RECALL. IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW., PS: I REGULARLY CHANGE THE OIL 3-4000 MILES ON BOTH CARS,. REFER TO ARTICLE: HTTPS://WWW.YAHOO.COM/NEWS/M/ABB24D07-A29F-3A32-A689-DFB220B11F54/SS_FEDS-OPEN-INVESTIGATION-INTO.HTML
Engine, Apr 13, 2017
I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE A COOLANT LINE RECALL INSTALLED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND LATER A MECHANIC REMARKED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A SERIOUS "KNOCK" AND BOTH MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE EITHER NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. IT ONLY HAS 81K MILES. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN I ASKED ABOUT POSSIBLE TRADE IN VALUE I WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD ONLY GIVE ME $500. NOW I SEE THERE ARE RECALLS IN MOTION FROM BOTH HYUNDAI AND KIA FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL DURING OPERATION. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE RECALL AFFECTING THE FORTE VERSION, BUT IT DOES HAVE THE 2.0 LITER ENGINE WHICH IS INCLUDED IN AN UPCOMING RECALL.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 11, 2017
WHEN I'M DRIVING MY CAR IT JERKS FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO TURN OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. 2011 KIA FORTE KOUP.. UPDATED 04/13/17 *BF *CN
Power train, Apr 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ALSO, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO GEAR ROUGHLY AND THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,220.
Air bags, Feb 2, 2017, crash
IN JULY OF 2016, I WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON THE 495 BELTWAY AND HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES AT ONE POINT FROM HITTING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH AND THEN PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR HAD A LOT OF DAMAGE AND I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THAT ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD COME ON TWICE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND THE DEALERSHIP JUST RESET IT WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC AND HAVE IT FIXED. I AM IN VIRGINIA AND CANNOT HAVE THE CAR PASS INSPECTION WITH THE LIGHT ON. I'M FURIOUS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND KIA!
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.
Steering, Nov 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 01/04/17*LJ
Structure, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Sep 21, 2016, fire
WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT ALONG AN INTERSTATE WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL SET TO THE SPEED LIMIT, A LOUD BANG CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY KIA, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR TURNED ON, AND SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND INSIDE MY CAR THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL GENTLY, THERE WAS A LOW GUTTURAL NOISE AND MY CAR WAS NOT PICKING UP SPEED. I PUT MY CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SHOULDER WITH LOW VISIBILITY AS THE SMOKE BECAME MORE DENSE AND DARKER IN COLOR. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO A FULL STOP ON THE SHOULDER AND PUT IT INTO PARK BEFORE TURNING IT OFF AND REMOVING MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION. UPON EXITING THE CAR I NOTICED THE SMOKE WAS EVEN MORE INTENSE THAN BEFORE AND PROMPTLY CALLED 911 AND GAVE MY LOCATION AND SITUATION INFORMATION TO THE 911 REPRESENTATIVE. AS I WAS SPEAKING, I NARRATED IN HORROR AS FLAMES BECAME VISIBLE FROM UNDER THE CAR ITSELF AND UNDER THE HOOD AS WELL, IN AS LITTLE AS ONE MINUTE AFTER EXITING MY CAR. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT TO THE VEHICLE, THE FLAMES WERE OVER 20 FEET TALL AND THE HEAT WAS UNBEARABLE; I RELOCATED MYSELF FARTHER AND FARTHER AWAY TO STAY COOL AND SAFE AS THE TIME WENT ON. NOBODY WAS BURNED, HURT, OR INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT, BUT ONLY MY MERE COINCIDENCE.
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 12, 2016
ESC LIGHT FLASHING NUMEROUS TIMES WITH LOSS OF POWER WHILE ON DRY, STRAIGHT ROAD. VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS FOUND A CONNECTION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. HAD KIA TECH IN AND CERTIFIED THE VEHICLE AS SAFE. THIS WAS IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2015. THE SAME INDICATIONS AND POWER LOSS OCCURRED AGAIN IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2016. IN EVERY CASE IT HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC CAUSING AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME MY FAMILY AND THE OTHER VEHICLES IN THE TRAFFIC. TO DATE THE DEALER OR KIA HAS FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION (50 MPH OR LESS) CITY STREETS OR ROAD AND NOT TURNING, IN MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE HOSE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED THE TEST DRIVE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED FROM LACK OF TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO THE FAULTY HOSE, AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,600.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 27, 2016, crash
ON 7/24 MY 21 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES (WITH BOTH FEET) AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. SHE ENDED UP COLLIDING WITH A WALL WHICH DISCONNECTED THE POWER AND THE CAR STOPPED ABOUT 50 FEET FROM POINT OF IMPACT.