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
442 reports, newest first.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 25, 2021
I REPLACED MY CATALYC CONVERTER IN JULY, WAS INFORMED THERE WAS AN INTERNAL OIL LEAK FROM THE ENGINE CAUSING THE CATALYC TO CLOG AND CAR LOSE POWER. REPLACED THE WHOLE THING OVER $2000. NOW EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATED. AS WELL CAN SMELL THE OIL BURNING.
Engine, Jan 20, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FRIEND WHO'S A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TESTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THAT THE CONNECTOR ROD BEARING WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.*DT
Engine, Jan 19, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER FIANC WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND STARTED TO NOTICE A "BURNING" SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PARK AT A NEAR PARKING LOT AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER DECIDED TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION AND WHILE EXITING THE PARKING LOT, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED THEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER TAYLOR KIA OF BOARDMAN (7870 MARKET ST, YOUNGSTOWN, OH 44512: (234) 719-4839) AND WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.
Engine, Jan 11, 2021
I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS AND NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS AND KEPT UP ON THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND ONE DAY I DROVE IT TO THE STORE AND BACK HOME WENT TO GET BACK IN LATER ABOUT A HOUR OR SO NEVER STARTED AGAIN. SO I CALLED MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD MY 2014 KIA FORTE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE ENGINE HAD FAILED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.
Exterior lighting, Dec 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE SWITCHED THE HI-BEAM LIGHTS ON TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AT 60 MPH THE ENTIRE LIGHTING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE HI-BEAMS WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE LIGHTING SYSTEM WOULD ALSO GO ON AND OFF WHEN THE CONTACT TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL. THE LIGHTS WOULD STAY OFF FOR ABOUT THREE TO FIVE SECONDS BEFORE COMING BACK ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PRESTIGE KIA (3525 HWY 93, EAU CLAIRE, WI 54701,(715) 833-0177) BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE VEHICLE WAS UNREPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,700.
Engine, Dec 7, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED FOR A SPLIT SECOND. A MILE DOWN THE ROAD, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD AS AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS THE VEHICLE DEACCELERATED, THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THERE WAS SMOKE PRESENT. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THERE WAS OIL ON THE ROAD AS ODOR APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK HAD A HOLE AND THAT THE ROD FORCEFULLY FRACTURE THE STARTER. CENTURY KIA OF TAMPA 4340 W HILLSBOROUGH AVE, TAMPA, FL 33614 WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTIES EXPIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THE DAY BEFORE THE FAILURE FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ENGINE CLEANING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 4, 2020
MY VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME UNDER A WARRANTY. UPON DRIVING THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. WOULD NOT RESTART. ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE BY KIA. AS WELL AS A REPLACEMENT OIL PAN RANDOMLY. MY LONG TIME MECHANIC SAID THE OIL PAN WASN'T NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 1ST REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE. IN TOTAL THE CAR HAS HAD 3 ENGINES. EMISSIONS PROBLEM EVER SINCE. LIGHT ON AND KIA HAS BILLED AND USED ALL OF THE WARRANTY COVERAGE. ALL DOCUMENTATION PROVIDABLE. ALL OIL CHANGES PROVIDABLE.
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
Engine, Nov 11, 2020
IN JUNE OF 2019, I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN MY 2014 KIA FORTE. MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS DUE TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND WHEN HE REMOVED THE OLD ENGINE METAL FRAGMENTS AND PIECES WERE FOUND IN THE OIL PAN WHERE THE ENGINE WAS LITERALLY FALLING APART. THIS COST ME A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO REPLACE AND KIA WAS ABSOLUTELY UNWILLING TO HELP COVER ANY COSTS OF THE REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE ON SO MANY LEVELS. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM KIA IN 2014 AND WHEN I REPLACED THE ENGINE IN 2019 IT HAD 140,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I WAS COMING BACK FROM MY SON'S BIRTHDAY OUTING, THE CAR MADE A REALLY LOUD NOISE AND WHEN I HIT THE GAS IT WOULD NOT GO. WE WERE ABLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND MAKE IT TO THE NEAREST PULL OFF SPOT BUT HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MECHANIC SHOP.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2020
I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHERE THE EMISSION LEAK IS IN MY CAR. I HAVE ONE AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A RECALL OR WHERE IT IS AT OR HOW MUCH IT WILL COST THE REPAIR MAY COST. I HAVE 93 THOUSAND MILES AWAY N IT, AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE GAS CAP CHANGE 2 WEEKS AGO ON MY VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS,SO I WON'T BE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF. THANK YOU.
Engine, Oct 20, 2020
CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AND HAS ONLY 120000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENGINE HAS STARTED TICKING. THE ENGINES BEARING ARE WORN OUT. THIS IS NOT TYPICAL FOR A CAR AT 120,000 MILES ON IT.
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.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Oct 17, 2020
GOOD DAY, I OWN A 2014 KIA FORTE EX . THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM GALEANA CHRYSLER JEEP KIA DEALERSHIP LOCATED AT (180 GREYSTONE BLVD. COLUMBIA, SC 29210). THE REASON FOR THIS LETTER IS TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE KIA FIRE RECALL ARTICLE THAT DID NOT INCLUDE THE FORTE MODEL WITHIN THE YEARS SPECIFIED. UPON VEHICLE INSPECTION FROM JT'S KIA DEALERSHIP (THE ABS SYSTEM HAS A LEAKAGE ON THE FIRE WALL SIDE. FOUND THE HECU/ BRAKE MODULE HAS STARTED TO FAIL AND IS LEAKING.) PROOF OF INFORMATION WILL BE IN ATTACHMENTS. THIS 2014 KIA FORTE EX IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. DURING THIS TIME WE HOPE YOU TAKE CONSIDERATION IN LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND RISKY FOR MY FAMILY AND I. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS.
Engine, Oct 8, 2020
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OUR KIA MOTOR STARTED TO KNOCK. A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND ENSUED AND IT STRUGGLED TO WORK. WE BROUGHT IT TO KIA AND THEY SAID WE NEEDED A NEW MOTOR THAT COST 4700. THIS CAR IS LESS THAN 7 YEARS OLD WITH GREAT CARE. MILLIONS OF OTHER KIAS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN MADE BUT I AM FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS NO FAULT OF MINE. KIA NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST AND LABOR FOR A NEW MOTOR. THEY HAVE SHOWN THROUGH THE MANY CALLS THAT CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NOT THEIR WAY. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO ALSO BE RESOLVED BUY ISSUING A RECALL FOR ALL KIA 2014 KIA FORTES. COUNTLESS PEOPLE ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE POOR ACTIONS OF KIA MOTORS DEALERS.
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 27, 2020
DRIVING MY KIA FORTE 2014 ON THE FREEWAY, AS I WOULD ACCELERATE MY CAR WOULD HESITATE. I STARTED TO ACCELERATE MORE AND IT WOULD SLOWLY DIE DOWN UNTIL IT COMPLETELY STOPPED. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT IT WOULD COMPLETELY TURN OFF AT STOP LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. I GOT IT DIAGNOSED AND ITS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THOSE ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST A LIFE TIME. MY CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND I HAD A PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1989 THAT LASTED 20+ YEARS. NOW THE INSIDE OF MY CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS AND I JUST GOT THIS CAR A COUPLE MONTHS AGO!
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.
Engine, Sep 15, 2020
I WOKE UP ONE DAY AND WENT TO HEAD OVER TO MY BUDDIES HOUSE. IT WAS A FIFTEEN MINUTE DRIVE AND WHEN I GOT THERE I TOLD HIM MY CAR STARTED SOUNDING FUNNY ON THE WAY OVER. THE OIL WAS GOOD AND EVERYTHING ELSE SO WE TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE DOWN THE STREET SO HE COULD LISTEN TO IT. WE GOT TO THE LIGHT A HALF MILE DOWN THE HOUSE AND THE ENGINE MADE A SCRATCHING NOISE AND I STARTED TO LOSE POWER I ALSO FELT MY STEERING WHEEL LOSE POWER STEERING AND THEN I WAS AT THE FRONT OF THE ROW IN THE TURN LANE. MY CAR CRAWLED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BUT I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND MY PARENTS TOWED IT HOME ON THEIR TRAILER. WE TOOK IT TO AN AUTO SHOP AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO CHEAP STOCK BEARINGS AROUND THE CAM. THE BEARINGS GAVE OUT AND THE METAL SHREDDED INSIDE AND WAS SENT THROUGH THE ENGINE. SINCE IT'S PRE OWNED I CAN'T GET A NEW ENGINE AND THIS SPECIFIC ENGINE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL HASN'T BEEN RECALLED YET.
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.
Steering, Sep 2, 2020
THERE IS A NOTICEABLE NOISE EACH TIME WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BOTH AT REST AND IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL HAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. THERE IS ALSO EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SUSPECTED PROBLEM IS A FAILURE OF THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. KIA HAS ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE IN OTHER MODEL CARS SUCH AS THE OPTIMA OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR BUT NOT FOR THE FORTE.
Air bags, Sep 1, 2020
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. SOMETIMES GOES OFF, BUT THEN COMES ON AGAIN. NOW IT IS MOSTLY ON.
Steering, Aug 26, 2020
MY 2014 KIA FORTE HAS STARTED MAKING A CLICKING/POPPING NOISE WHEN I AM TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS GONNA COME OFF OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHERE IT LOCKS, AND I AM AFRAID IT IS GONNA LOCK UP ON ME DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT CLICKS/POPS WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IF YOU ARE DRIVING, AND IS GETTING WORSE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2020
MY ANTENNA SHARK FIN FELL OFF MY CAR WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY IT DID NOT HIT A VEHICLE BEHIND ME; HOWEVER, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO SOMEONE ELSE HAD IT HIT THEM OR THEIR WINDSHIELD. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.