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
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 2, 2020
THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON EVEN IF NOBODY IS IN THE SEAT. IT WILL SHUT OFF RANDOMLY AND WILL COME BACK ON A FEW MINUTES LATER. THE LIGHT LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY SITTING IN THE SEAT WITH A BUCKLE ON.
Steering, Air bags, Sep 22, 2020
AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF FOR FEW WEEKS FINALLY RESTING TO STEADY ON. THERE IS NO CRASH CASE AT ALL. STEERING WHEEL MAKES KNOCKING SOUND WHEN ROTATED WHILE THE CAR IS NOT MOVING.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 7, 2020
THE RADIO TURNS IT'S SELF ON AND OFF. ONE MINUTE THE HORN IS WORKING THE NEXT MINUTE THE HORN IS NOT WORKING. THE HORN WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO WORK. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON OUT OF NOWHERE THE CAR WAS NOT IN A WRECK OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE. SAME WITH THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IF YOU USE THE BUTTONS TO CHANGE THE SONG ON THE STEERING WHEEL IT ACTUALLY TURNS RADIO COMPLETELY OFF INSTEAD OF CHANGING THE SONG. AND THAT HAPPENS WITH THE VOLUME BUTTON AS WELL. I'VE ALREADY BEEN TO A MECHANIC AND TOLD THEM THAT I THINK THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT I JUST GET LOOKED AT LIKE I'M CRAZY.
Steering, Air bags, Sep 2, 2020
THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. I'VE CHECKED AND THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES. CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO DO NOT WORK AND ARE UNRESPONSIVE. THE CRUISE CONTROL SETTINGS ARE UNRELIABLE AND CAN LEAD TO POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEMS. AFTER SOME RESEARCH IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. KIA SHOULD COVER THE REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY.
Air bags, Sep 1, 2020
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. SOMETIMES GOES OFF, BUT THEN COMES ON AGAIN. NOW IT IS MOSTLY ON.
Air bags, Engine, Jun 8, 2020
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE HORN AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS HAVE ALL STOPPED WORKING. I WAS TOLD THAT A SPRING CLOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED SOMEWHERE BUT I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW AND ITS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. ALSO MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT AND MY CAR IS BURNING FUEL AND OR OIL AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY. I WASN'T DOING ANYTHING BUT A NORMAL DRIVE WHEN THESE ISSUES BEGAN TO OCCUR. HELP *TR
Air bags, Jun 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS), AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 1, 2020
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ALL ARE NOT DOING WHAT THEY ARE INTENDED TO DO. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND IT IS SAYING THE CLOCK SPRING. IT ALSO STATES THAT THEY ARE MADE TO LAST A LIFE TIME OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO TOWBIN KIA IN HENDERSON NV. THEY CONFIRMED IT IS BAD AND NOT COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BEING IT IS THE AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I NOTICED ON THE GOOGLE SEARCH MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN I AM IN THE DRIVERS SEAT WHETHER I AM STATIONARY OR IN TRAVEL MOTION THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON CONSTANT . THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS DO NOT DO WHAT INTENDED...FOR EXAMPLE PUSH CRUISE AND IT COMES ON BUT WILL GO RIGHT OFF. THE AUDIO CONTROL SUCH AS BLUETOOTH BUTTON TURNS RADIO UP ... THE CALL BUTTON SAY PLEASE SAY A COMMAND THE HANG UP BUTTON WON'T HANG UP THE CALL AND CHANGES THE STATION ON RADIO. VERY CONFUSING. BUT THE CLOCK SPRING CONTROLS AIRBAG AND STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ....CONFIRMED BY KIA THAT THIS IS INTENDED FUNCTIONS . NONE WORKS . I FEEL THIS ITEM SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE DUE TO SAFETY REQUIREMENTS OF THE AIRBAGS. IF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYS WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OR IF IT DOES NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF AN ACCIDENT COULD BE DEADLY EITHER WAY. *TR
Air bags, Jan 19, 2020
AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD CAME ON AND RANDOMLY COMES ON AND OFF. SOMETIMES WHEN I JUST START IT IT WILL COME ON AND THEN GO OFF. CALLED DEALERSHIP TO ASK IF ANY RECALLS ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY SAID NONE. SCARED THAT AIRBAG MIGHT GO OFF RANDOMLY OR NOT WORK AT ALL. READ THAT OTHER YEARS HAVE HAD SAME ISSUE AND THEY HAVE BEEN RECALLED. NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT SECOND OWNER OF VEHICLE. HAD VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS NOW AND GET IT SERVICED REGULARLY.
Steering, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2020, crash
AIRBAG LIGHT FOR PASSENGER COMES ON AND OFF WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT. AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE DRIVER IS ON NOW, AS WELL AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL KNOCKS WHEN THE CAR IS MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AND THE HORN HAS NOW STOPPED WORKING BECAUSE SOMETHING IS IN THE WAY AND WON'T ALLOW THE PRESSURE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. WE HAVE REPLACED BULBS FOR THE TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES A YEAR. THIS CAN'T BE NORMAL! WE NOW KEEP BULBS IN THE CAR TO BE PREPARED TO REPLACE AT ANY TIME. WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK, WHERE A TRUCK RAN THE RED LIGHT AND HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS IS TROUBLING AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE.
Air bags, Engine, Oct 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO WAGNER KIA OF SHREWSBURY (730 BOSTON TURNPIKE, SHREWSBURY, MA 01545, (508) 581-5700) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED UNLESS IT OCCURRED WHILE IT WAS BEING TEST DRIVEN. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE AN UNKNOWN PART WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Air bags, Aug 17, 2019
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, HEARD A RASPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON.
Air bags, Aug 15, 2019
THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, USUALLY TURNING ON AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND REACHING SPEEDS ABOVE 15MPH. IF I STAY AROUND 20MPH OR BELOW, IT WILL TURN OFF, BUT IF I INCREASE SPEED IT WILL TURN BACK ON. IF I STOP, TURN, OR SLOW DOWN, THE LIGHT MAY TURN ON OR OFF; IT IS RANDOM. THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE ISSUE WITH STARTED. IT APPEARS THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR SIMILAR ISSUES FOR THE 2010-2013 KIA FORTE. THE 2014 SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS WELL.
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 8, 2019
2014 KIA FORTE: VEHICLE WILL BE STATIONARY, IN MOTION, OR TURNING AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL TURN ON AND OFF RANDOMLY, IT HAS BEEN STAYING ON IN THE PAST FEW DAYS. DEALERSHIP STATED "AIRBAG NEEDS REPLACING, BECAUSE IN AN ACCIDENT AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY" THIS CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH ONE OWNER LESS THAN 75,000 MILES ON IT. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH HOW THE AIRBAG WAS INSTALLED BY KIA MANUFACTURES.
Air bags, Jul 19, 2019
SRS AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED LUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED CABLES UNDER PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AND AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF. WITHIN 2 DAYS THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS BACK ON. THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THERE APPARENTLY WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT IT IS FOR 2010-2013 KIA FORTE. DEALER WAS NOT YET ABLE TO ACTUALLY TELL ME THE ISSUE CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO REMAIN ON. STILL A MYSTERY.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. HORN ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY AND CRUISE DOES NOT WORK.
Air bags, Jul 2, 2019
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 2013, HAD IT LESS THAN 6 YEARS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND REMAINS ON, THE CAR WAS NOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE AIR BAG LIGHT AT FIRST CAME ON AND THEN WILL DISAPPEAR A COUPLE TIMES BUT NOW HAS REMAINED ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE IS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT IT IS FOR 2010-2013 KIA FORTE. I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.
Air bags, Jun 15, 2019
SO AS I'M DRIVING, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. IT'S STEADY ONE MINUTE AND THEN IT WILL GO OFF AND THEN IT WILL COME BACK ON. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT FOR IT TO DO THIS. IT CAME OUT OF NO WHERE.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, May 29, 2019
LAST WEEK MY AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY CRASH FOR A CRASH REPAIR TO BE A FACTOR. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE LIGHT FIRST CAME ON. THE LIGHT DOES GO OFF WHEN IT WANTS TO. I HAVE TRIED RESETTING THE CAR BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY FOR A FEW MINUTES, THIS DID NOT HELP. I AM VERY SCARED THAT THE AIR BAGS COULD DEPLOY AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. TODAY MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WOULD ONLY GO OFF IF I RESTARTED THE CAR BUT LESS THAN A MILE THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. AND BECAUSE THIS LIGHT WAS ON MY CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT SET.
Air bags, Mar 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Air bags, Feb 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FUCCILLO KIA OF CLAY (3885 NY-31, LIVERPOOL, NY 13090, (315) 657-9000) TO HAVE THE WIRING HARNESS AND PRETENSIONER SWITCH REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Feb 10, 2019, crash
VEHICLE IN MOTION HIT DEER. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AT THE TIME AND CONTINUES BEING A HAZARD AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. SMELL OF SOMETHING BUT INFO TURNED OUT TO BE BLOWER MOTOR CONNECTOR THE BLOWER MOTOR MALFUNCTIONS THE SEATBELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN
Air bags, Aug 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE DEALER (KIA OF CERRITOS, 18201 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703, (562) 860-2424) INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER TO TRY TO GET AN EXCEPTION ON THE FEES SINCE THE WARRANTY RECENTLY EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Air bags, Aug 9, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF CERRITOS (18201 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703, (562) 860-2424), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Air bags, Jul 29, 2018, crash
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION ACCIDENT ON 6/18/2018 (DUE TO SOMEONE RUNNING A RED LIGHT) IT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE OF APPROXIMATELY 4500.00 .. THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. A MAJOR CONCERN FOR ME. WHEN I ASKED BOTH THE REPAIR SHOP AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY AS TO WHY THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. THE ONLY THING I WAS TOLD WAS. "YOU SHOULD BE THANKFUL BECAUSE HAD IT DEPLOYED WE WOULD HAVE TOTALLED THE CAR!' THIS DOES NOT HELP WITH MY FEELING SECURE O. MY VEHICLE OR HELP WITH MY ANXIETY. AND DEFINITELY DOES NOT A ANSWER MY QUESTIONS..