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: electrical system
57 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Electrical system, Mar 21, 2016
FIRST, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INTERMITTENTLY FAILS AND SHOW INCORRECT RANGE AND FUEL LEVELS. SPEEDOMETER SHOWS CAR IS GOING 0 MPH EVEN WHEN CAR IS MOVING. TACHOMETER SHOWS 0 RPM EVEN WHEN CAR IS IDLING OR MOVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES SINCE 3/8/16. SECOND, BRAKE PADS PROVIDED ON CAR ARE CHEAP AND DO NOT HAVE RANGE I CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FOR THE FIRST TIME AT 10K MILES. THIRD, VENTILATION SYSTEM DOESN'T OPERATE PROPERLY AND I CAN INTERMITTENTLY SMELL BURNING PLASTIC COMING FROM VENTS, FAN DOESN'T OPERATE OVER THE 3 SETTING AND A/C DOESN'T BLOW COLD. FINALLY, SHOCKS AND STRUTS ARE SUB PAR HAD TO REPLACE AT 10K MILES DUE TO TIRE CUPPING.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 22, 2015
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, AND OFTEN TIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THEN STARTING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND TURNS OFF. AT THIS POINT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, OIL LIGHT AND OTHERS COME ON. THE VEHICLE THEN NEEDS TO BE PUT IN PARK, AND TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTS WITH NO ISSUE. THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT HAS FAILED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. FUCILLO KIA IS ALSO REFUSING TO HONOR THE WARRANTY AND CONTINUE WORKING ON THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE ISSUE IS IDENTIFIED. A FLIGHT RECORDER BOX WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE TO RECORD THE ISSUE IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN AGAIN ON ONE OF THE OCCASIONS THEY GAVE ME BACK THE VEHICLE STATING THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE ISSUE DID OCCUR AGAIN WITH FLIGHT RECORDER BOX IN PLACE BUT THEY SAID IT DID NOT SEND ANY SIGNAL STATING THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THEM 6 TIMES AND AT THIS POINT THEY WILL NO LONGER WORK ON THE VEHICLE DESPITE IT BEING WELL WITHIN THE 100,000 MILE/10 YEAR WARRANTY. THE ISSUE STARTED AT 15085 MILES AND NOW AT 19,000 MILES THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.
Electrical system, Apr 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V015000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND THE CONTACT HAD TO CALL ANOTHER DEALER TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND DID NOT ADDRESS THE RECALL CONCERN. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 6/3/15CN UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN
Electrical system, Jan 6, 2015, fire
2014 KIA FORTE. VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED INTO FLAMES, AS THE CONSUMER WAS WARMING THE VEHICLE UP.*TA THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED A COMPONENT SHORTED OUT THE ENGINE. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2014, fire
ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2014, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING OUR 2014 KIA FORTE WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE. AS SOON AS I PULLED THE CAR OVER TO THE SHOULDER, FLAMES CAME OUT OF THE HOOD. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. KIA CORPORATE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT HOWEVER, THEY DO NOT WANT TO INVESTIGATE. I NEED HELP! *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 13, 2014, crash
TURNED ONTO A FAIRLY NARROW STREET WITH CARS PARKED ON BOTH SIDES; I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE MIDDLE OF STREET UNTIL I PASSED ALL PARKED CARS; ATTEMPTED TO MOVE BACK INTO MY LANE AND STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND STARTED JERKING; I WAS HEADED TOWARD A STOP SIGN POLE; I JUMPED THE CURB AND SCRAPPED RIGHT FROM BUMPER AND TIRE RIM; IGNITION SHUT OFF. TOOK CAR TO DEALER; THEY KEPT IT FOR TESTING AND INSPECTION FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND FOUND NOTHING; WE WANTED TO EXCHANGE IT BUT THEY REFUSED SINCE THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH IT; WE TOOK CAR BACK AND IT HAS BEEN DRIVING WELL SO FAR BUT INCIDENT IS STILL IN THE BACK OF OUR MINDS EVERY TIME WE DRIVE IT. *TR UPDATED 10/1/2014 *JS
Electrical system, Structure, Mar 31, 2014
SCRATCHES UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON CAR PURCHASED AS NEW MAY INDICATE PRIOR USE AND ODOMETER TAMPER. *TR