2014 Kia Forte
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 442 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 16 Forte model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 32 involved a crash and 36 involved a fire. 29 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EngineDec 2, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Campaign 20V750000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, pedals and linkagesDec 1, 2017
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC158.
Campaign 17V773000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemJan 16, 2015
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kia Forte vehicles manufactured December 5, 2012, to April 17, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the cooling fan resistor may overheat and melt.
If the cooling fan resistor overheats and melts, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
Kia will notify owners, and for vehicles produced from December 5, 2012 to January 27, 2014, dealers will replace the cooling fan resistor and multi-fuse unit. For vehicles produced from January 28, 2014 to April 17, 2014, dealers will replace the multi-fuse unit only. Owners of vehicles with a 1.8L engine will also have the engine control unit software updated. The recall began on February 20, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC113.
Campaign 15V015000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
63 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Sep 22, 2026
Airbag warning light has came on had a mechanic run codes and it says all air bags unresponsive. Now my car is refusing to start. If continue to try it eventually starts. Major oil leak and consumption along with knocking. Along with my break lights not working occasionally along with my head lights and brights not working at all
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2025
Large Buck deer hit car with force, did not loose control, did not slam brakes attempted to pull to side of road. The hood flew up and had to use the emergency brake to come to full stop, put in park but the gas was full throttle. Neither airbag deployed and definitely should have.
Air bags, Dec 19, 2025
The air bad light is on and horn dose not working currently there is a open recall on the clutch spring for the air bag but my vin say no repair
Air bags, Aug 15, 2025
The air bag light comes on and off. Rubber Weather stripping leaking. Runs hot.
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 9, 2025, crash
After T-boning a Toyota Prius, my air bag did not go off and my driver seat belt did not lock. As a result, I suffered a collapsed right lung, my left hand punched the windshield fracturing my wrist and had to have surgery from that. Also suffered my 7th right rib fractured. There was no warning lamps and no shop or dealer mentioned any of the malfunctions.
Air bags, Sep 3, 2023, crash
Airbags failed to deploy after rear end collision.
Air bags, Jul 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,200.
Air bags, Engine, Dec 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the engine was misfiring and there was dark smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The used car dealer was notified of the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
Air bags, Sep 5, 2022
It is just airbag sign
Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 30, 2022
The Air Bag light stays on consistently, with the exception of flashing off for a brief moment periodically, only to return on immediately. Steering wheel mounted audio controls have mixed up controls, volume operating channel skip, while channel skip up, skips down, etc... I don't know that it is possible for the air bag to deploy unexpectedly, without impact, but the obvious concern is that it may not go off in the event of an impact, leading to excessive injuries. I had an independent service center advise me that the likely cause is a faulty Clock Spring, as this would cause issues with the steering wheel controls as well.
Air bags, Jul 24, 2022
At approximately 60000 miles my airbag light came on. Then it would go off. Now it just stays on. I went to the dealership and they said I would have to pay for diagnostics and any repairs. I currently have around 64000 miles. I drive it very little. Bought it used in 2017 with 19000 miles. I see that other Kia’s have their airbag light go on as well and are being recalled but not my year. I have not been in any accidents with this vehicle as well. Just seems that this diagnostic should be done for free since it’s a safety concern.
Air bags, Jan 29, 2022, crash
My car was hit in an accident & my air bag light popped on but they didn’t deploy. The light is still on and that was over 2 months ago.
Air bags, Dec 2, 2021
Unknown had the car only 2 years and the air bag light came on and they have never has been deployed
Power train, Air bags, Engine, Nov 17, 2021, crash
My Kia Forte when I put it in reverse it will jerk back then pause and hardly push itself backwards I have no control same as putting the car into Drive. I also consistently hear water in the bottom of my car swishing around.
Air bags, Oct 14, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who reset the air bag warning light; however, the warning light immediately returned. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the VIN. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 24, 2021
Airbag light stays on all the time. Brake lights constantly burning out breaking system system will skidvover grates at bumps. Car will scrape over roads. All steering wheel functions not working
Air bags, Jul 6, 2021, crash
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that her vehicle hydroplaned while driving at 65 MPH, which caused her to lose control of vehicle. The contact hit the right guardrail three times on the passenger side of her vehicle. The air bags did not deploy after multiple impacts. The contact nor her passenger needed medical assistance; however, they did both suffer minor scrapes and soreness. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard but was then towed to the contact's home where it remained in her possession. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be deemed destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 2, 2021, crash
In May 2021 my daughter was in a bad car accident while driving my 2014 Kia Forte. The airbags did not go off and the seatbelts never tightened. Fortunately her and her passenger were not seriously injured and only received bruises on their knees and sore necks. There was so much damage to the front end of the car it was totaled by our insurance company. No warning lights were seen that day or even prior to the accident showing that the airbags weren't working properly. My car was not part of 6/18/18 Kia Forte recall#SC165 for airbags and seatbelts. The recall was for Kia Forte 2010-2013. While my Kia was a 2014, I did take possess of it in 2013. Starting in January 2014 I brought the car back to the dealership many times because of all the electric issues I was having with it. Since the dealership could not replicate the codes while the car was there Kia refused to look into or fix the problems. Electrical issues included doors not unlocking, doors not being able to be opened from inside or outside, windows not opening, headlights coming on while the car was parked, emergency flashers turning on without pushing the button, while driving traction/anti-slide light came on without a reason.
Air bags, Jun 17, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the air bags warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
Air bags, May 17, 2021
I received a letter of a recall on the airbag. I contacted coughlin kia. They state there in no recall. The airbag light is on like the recall stated.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 17, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EXCEED 40 MPH WITH THE SPEEDOMETER INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND DROVE SLOWLY UNTIL THE VEHICLE REGAINED NORMAL FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RAY BRANDT KIA (1884 WESTBANK EXPY, HARVEY, LA 70058, (504) 356-7072) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2021, crash
THE KIA WAS MOVING INTO THE CITY INTERSECTION AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED WHEN A CHEVY BLAZER TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60+ MPH HIT THE KIA, WITHOUT BREAKING AND RIPPED THE WHOLE FRONT END OFF. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS RESULTED IN INJURIES.*DT*JB
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 24, 2020
SEAT AIR BAG DETECTION IS ON, WENT OFF THEN CAME BACK ON
Air bags, Nov 18, 2020
I MADE TWO APPOINTMENTS BACK TO BACK TO VAN NUYS KIA TO BE BRUSHED OFF THE FIRST TIME. SECOND TIME I GET THERE AND THEY SAY RECALL IS PENDING SO I NEED TO WAIT. MY TIME WAS WAISTED BOTH TIMES I DROVE MORE THAN HALF AN HOUR BACK AND FORTH
Air bags, Oct 19, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAD REMAINED ILLUMINATED FROM TWO PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS IN 2014 AND 2015 IN WHICH NEITHER AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT A DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRING CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO NOT DEPLOY IN THE CRASHES. THE CONTACT REQUESTED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND AN UNKNOWN DEALER HOWEVER, THE REQUEST WAS REJECTED BY BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.