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.
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.
Engine, Aug 6, 2019, fire
ON 08-05-2019 I WAS TRAVELING ONTO THE INTERSTATE, UPON ACCELERATION MY AUTOMOBILE BEGIN TO POWER DOWN, IN FRONT OF A TRACTOR TRAILER. I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE TO DO SO IN A SAFE MANNER. AFTER ABOUT ONE MINUTE OF CONTINUOUSLY ACCELERATION, THE CAR BEGIN TO MOVE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF KIA IN THE PAST, THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL KIA DEALERSHIP WITH NO RESOLUTION. THIS REMAINS TO BE AN EXTREME SAFETY CONCERN, THAT COULD BECOME DEADLY. ON 08-03-2019, IN AN UNRELATED INCIDENT I WITNESSED A KIA SOUL BURN TO THE GROUND AFTER CATCHING FIRE; SIMPLY PUT THESE VEHICLES APPEAR TO BE VERY UNSAFE FOR OPERATION.
Power train, Jul 24, 2019
CAR CONSUMING OIL WITHIN SHORT TIMEFRAME. NO LEAKS AND HAVE TO ADD A QUART EVERY FEW DAYS. CAR IS NOW COMPLETELY UNDRIVEABLE, CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO AND NO CODES ARE FLASHING AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. CAR HESITATES TO ACCELERATE AND IS VERY NOISY. REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND COIL PACK AND PROBLEM PERSISTS, THIS CAR IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND CONSUMES UNHEALTHY AMOUNTS OF OIL.
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 17, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON RE-ENTERING THE VEHICLE WITH A PASSENGER, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE CHARGER PORT. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AS THE FLAMES ERUPTED WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER TO HAVE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS COMING THROUGH THE LIGHTER/CHARGER PORT CONNECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE FAILURE. A FIRE INSPECTION REPORT WAS PROVIDED AFTER THE FLAMES HAD BEEN EXTINGUISHED. A DEALER WAS CONTACTED CRAIN HYUNDAI OF NORTH LITTLE ROCK, 5660 WARDEN RD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 72116, (501) 232-4018 BUT HAD NOT PROVIDED ANY TECHNICAL GUIDANCE AS OF YET. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO DETERMINE IF THEY MAY INVESTIGATE THE FIRE. 100,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 16, 2019
THE CAR WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. SUDDENLY. IT HESITATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING IN DESPITE GOING TO SEVERAL MECHANICS. WHAT IS WRONG?!!!
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.
Power train, Engine, Jun 29, 2019
CAR NEEDS OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES OR SO WITH NO LEAKS. ENGINE EATS OIL AND IS ALWAYS SEVERAL QUARTS LOW. DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING CAR AND IT STOPPED EXCELLERATING. CATALYTIC CONVERTER JUST HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 82,000 MILES. ENGINE NOISE WITH VIBRATIONS. MY DAUGHER IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. KIA SAYS WARRANTY EXPIRED 2,000 MILES AGO AND WON'T FIX CAR. CAR IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE!
Steering, Exterior lighting, Jun 23, 2019
STEERING: STEERING MAKES A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE UNDER THE DASHBOARD WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. NOISE HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING AT ANY SPEED. KIA HAS RECALLED SOME 2014-2016 SOULS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THE FORTE. LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN TURNING ON THE TURN SIGNALS.
Engine, Jun 19, 2019
2014 KIA FORTE EX 2.0 LITER GDI ENGINE HAS KNOCKING NOISES. WHEN I TOOK IT TO GROSSINGER KIA OF LINCOLNWOOD, IL THEY QUOTED OVER $4,300 + LABOR DUE TO METAL SHRAPNEL IN THE ENGINE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SHORT BLOCK OF THE ENGINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE I WAS NOT THE FIRST OWNER AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS ONLY COVERED UNTIL 60,000 MILES. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AROUND NOVEMBER 2018 WHEN IT HAD AROUND 61,000 MILES BECAUSE IT HAD A CLEAN CARFAX HISTORY BUT I NOTICED THE KNOCKING NOISES BECAME INCREASINGLY LOUDER UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. I'VE SEARCHED ONLINE AND IT APPEARS THAT HYUNDAI/KIA HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THEIR GDI ENGINES AS THERE ARE CURRENTLY LAWSUITS CONCERNING THEIR ENGINES FAILING DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I BELIEVE THIS CAR ALSO HAS A DEFECT ENGINE AND AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE TO COMPEL THEM TO REPAIR THEIR DEFECTIVE ENGINES.
Steering, Jun 19, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL MECHANISM WILL MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE THAT IS FELT MORE THAN HEARD. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE, AND IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE STOPPED AS OPPOSED TO TURNING WHILE IN MOTION. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG SEVERAL MODELS OF KIA, ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHEAST. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER TODAY TO HAVE CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FLEX COUPLER. THE RECEPTIONIST TOLD ME THEY GET A LOT OF THESE ALL THE TIME AND THAT THEY CAN BECOME VERY DANGEROUS IF NOT FIXED SOON. MY RESEARCH ALSO REVEALED THAT SOME MODELS HAVE BEEN AFFORDED EXTENDED WARRANTIES AND FREE REPLACEMENT, BUT OTHERS HAVE NOT EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM, SYMPTOM, AND SOLUTION ARE THE SAME. BTW, THE REPAIR BILL WAS OVER $400...ABOUT $2 FOR PART AND THE REST WAS LABOR, TAX AND MISC.
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.
Engine, Jun 6, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GENE MESSER KIA (LOCATED AT 6006 19TH ST, LUBBOCK, TX 79407, (806) 776-5600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
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.
Service brakes, May 28, 2019
TAKATA RECALL
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 2, 2019, fire
ENGINE KNOCKING AND THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR HAD 86,000 MILES. DROVE CAR TO WORK NEXT DAY AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING HOME ON BUSY HIGHWAY. KIA CORP KNOWS OF A PROBLEM WITH FUEL PUMP AND LINES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED ONCE ENGINE IS REPLACED BUT FAILED TO LET THEIR DEALERSHIPS BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. ALSO WHY IS THE FORTE NOT ON RECALL LIST AS MANY KIA FORTES ARE ALSO CATCHING ON FIRE DUE TO ENGINE/ ENGINE REPAIRS.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, May 1, 2019
MY BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AT ALL TIMES WHILE CAR IS TURNED ON
Engine, Apr 27, 2019
EXCESS ENGINE WEAR MAY BE INDICATIVE OF OTHER MODELS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED, CAR IS UNDER 100,000 MILES AS OF TODAY. EXCESSIVE ENGINE KNOCK CAUSED CONCERN AND KIA CLAIMS IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE, BUT I HAVE NOTICED QUITE A FEW OTHER MODELS ALL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, JUST NOT INCLUDING THE FORTE YET. CAR KNOCKS BOTH SITTING STILL AND IN MOTION, KNOCKS FASTER DURING DRIVING.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 13, 2019
WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE LIKE ON A BRIDGE OR WHERE A ROAD IS BROKEN, ON APPLYING BRAKE IT SEEMS LIKE THE PEDAL IS TOUCHING THE GROUND MAKING GRINDING NOISE AND CAR SKIDS AND DOESN'T STOP. I HAVE INSTALLED NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS ON ALL FOUR SIDES. WHEN TURN ON THE IGNITION, CAR DOESN'T START AT ALL, DOESN'T EVEN MAKE CLICKING SOUND. WHEN TOUCH THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT POSITIVE CHARGE SYSTEM THEN CAR STARTS WITH KEY IGNITION ON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN THROUGHOUT THE DAY ASSUMING BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED. NO LIGHT ATE ON WHEN TRY TO START THE ENGINE.
Power train, Engine, Apr 4, 2019
IT STARTED WITH A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE LIKE IT NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE BUT IT HAD JUST HAD ONE. I TOOK IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ENGINE. THEY SAID THAT THE ROD BEARINGS WERE WEARING DOWN AND RESULTING IN METAL CONTAMINATION IN THE ENGINE. THEY SAID I NEEDED MY ENGINE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY OR RISK IT LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING. AFTER RESEARCH I FOUND OTHER MODELS FROM THE SAME YEAR AND THE SAME TYPE OF ENGINE HAVE BEEN RECALLED DO TO THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE ATTACHED THE INVOICE FOR THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 3, 2019
WIRING TO THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING IS MELTED TOGETHER AND GE FAN DOESN'T WORK ALL THE TIME. DONT HAVE AIR CONDITIONING. AND THE ADAPTERS DONT WORK CANT CHARGE PHONE . ALSO THERE IS A TICKING NOISE COME FROM THE FRONT OF CAR U CAN HEAR IT WHEN IDLING BUT GETS WORSE WHEN U STEP ON THE GAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD.OIL HAS BEEN CHARGED AND IS CHECKED FREQUENTLY. THE NOISE STARTED RIGHT AFTER HAD OIL CHANGE AND TIRES ROTATED.
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.
Steering, Mar 20, 2019
PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL ,WHEN LOOKING IT UP ,PROBLEM SEEMS COMMON FOR THE STEERING COUPLER TO GO OUT,CAUSES A JERK IN THE WHEEL AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. SITTING STILL IT WILL HAVE ALOT OF PLAY MOVING LEFT AND RIGHT AND A NOISE. A EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR SOME MODELS EXCEPT MINE.