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.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 12, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MOVED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CURB. THE FAILURE RECURRED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED LURCHING AND HESITATION WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1000. UPDATED 04/10/12*LJ UPDATED 04/23/12
Power train, Mar 9, 2012
WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS FELT THIS SUDDEN JERK (LIKE I HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND) AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. WHEN I GOT PULLED OVER I PLACED IT IN PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE IT WOULD NOT PULL FORWARD. TRIED TO PUT INTO THE MANUAL SHIFT SIDE AND IT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING THERE EITHER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2012
KIA FORTE 2.4L AUTOMATIC 6 SPEED, CHECK ENGINE CODE P200A FOR INTAKE RUNNER ISSUE - , APPARENTLY DEFECTIVE PART WAS REPLACED BY SHOP(WARRANTY)BUT COMPUTER STILL REPORTING THE CODE, DEALER SHOP INDICATED KIA MOTOR HAS NOT AVAILABLE UPGRADE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. CONCENR NOW, THIS ISSUE MAY AFFECT INTAKE-EXHAUST-CATALYTIC SYSTEM IF VEHICLE EXPERIENCE ANOTHER ISSUE, UNABLE TO DETECT DUE TO A PRIOR CHECK ENGINE STATUS NOT CLEARED.
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
Air bags, Seats, Nov 10, 2011, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION IN WHICH I WAS ONLY TRAVELING 20 MPH. BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AIRBAG AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG BOTH DEPLOYED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I REALIZED THAT THE SEAT BEHIND ME HAD UNLATCHED AND MY SON'S BOOSTER CAR SEAT WAS THROWN FROM ITS PLACE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, HE WASN'T BUCKLED IN; HE WAS AT SCHOOL. NEVERTHELESS, I THINK THAT THIS MALFUNCTION COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY SERIOUSLY HURT MY SON. THE CAR WAS DEEMED AT TOTAL LOSS AND I WILL NOT PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. *TR
Tires, Sep 14, 2011
2ND SET OF TIRES USELESS AFTER 29,000 MILES PASSENGER SIDE TIRE UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED CONTACTED DEALER REPLY TOUGH LUCK. *KB
Air bags, Aug 4, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE INJURIES INCLUDING BROKEN RIBS, CONCUSSION, NECK AND BACK PAIN, MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS, AND THE PASSENGER NEEDED KNEE SURGERY. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE BECAUSE THE BRAKES ENGAGED WHEN THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 4,100. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF UPDATE 09/09/11. *JB
Power train, Jun 25, 2011
CAR WILL NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY UNDER MANUAL.
Structure, Jun 25, 2011
MY MOTHER PURCHASED A NEW KIA FORTE A FEW DAYS AGO. CAME HOME FROM FOOD SHOPPING OPENED THE TRUNK TO TAKE OUT HER GROCERIES. SHE BENT OVER REACHED IN THE TRUNK TO REMOVE A BAG AND THE TRUNK SLAMMED DOWN ON THE BACK OF HER NECK CAUSING SEVERE BRUISING. I WENT OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG . THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I RAISED THE TRUNK AND LET GO IT SLAMMED DOWN. I WAS WITH HER WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THE TRUNK STAYED OPEN BY ITSELF . WE COULD NOT FIND ANY VISIBLE REASON WHY THIS HAD HAPPENED. I THEN MOVED THE VEHICLE UP AND PARKED IT UNDER THE CARPORT AND WAS GOING TO TAKE OUT THE REST OF THE GROCERIES. THE TRUNK STAYED OPEN THIS TIME AND DID NOT SLAM SHUT BY ITSELF. THE DIFFERENCE WAS THAT NOW THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A LEVEL SURFACE, BEFORE IT WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE IN THE DRIVEWAY. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. MY MOTHER IS 85 YEARS OLD AND SMALL IN STATURE.. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE SHE PURCHASED A CAR THAT SHE FELT COMFORTABLE AND SAFE IN. I NEVER THOUGHT THAT WE NEEDED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT AN INJURY OCCURRING WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. HER DOCTOR WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND SHE DID NOT WANT TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. I TOOK PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE BRUISING AND SWELLING ON HER NECK AND SHE HAS HAD A HEADACHE AND PAIN. SHE WILL SEE HER DOCTOR ON MONDAY, AND I WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT EXAMINED. SHE IS LUCKY THAT THE TRUNK DIDN'T SLAM ON HER HEAD AND KILL HER. I DO HOPE THIS WILL BE INVESTIGATED AND THAT NO ONE ELSE WILL BE INJURED. *TR
Power train, Jun 23, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA MOTOR FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE FURTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. UPON RECEIVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD HEAR SCREECHING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,532. UPDATED 09/02/11*LJ UPDATED 2/9/12 *CN