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.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Mar 11, 2019, fire
03/08/19 AT 5:45AM I WAS ENTERING US HWY 23 N. BOUND FROM CENTRAL AVE. IN SYLVANIA OHIO. THE CAR WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH ACCELERATION AS I TRIED TO GET ON THE FREEWAY. SUDDENLY I HEARD LIKE A FAN NOISE, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF! I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS SMOKE WAS FILLING THE CABIN. I GOT OUT AND WENT AROUND FRONT AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT BETWEEN THE HOOD AND THE FENDER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CALLED 911. ONE POLICE AND 2 FIRE TRUCKS SHOWED UP IN NOTHING FLAT! THE FIRE WAS MOVING INTO THE CAB. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS! AFTER MY OWN RESEARCH I FIRMLY BELIEVE IT WAS THE COOLING FAN RESISTOR. THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THE NOISE I HEARD AND THE FIRE.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND MADE A SPUTTERING NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Steering, Mar 1, 2019
AS I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL, IT MAKES A CLICKING NOISE. IT ALSO CAUSES MY AIRBAG LIGHT TO SHOW ON MY SPEEDOMETER. SOMETHING SOUNDS LOOSE WHEN IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I DRIVE.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 27, 2019
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE ELECTRICAL WENT OUT. THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND STEERING WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CAR HAD 60K MILES. BATTERY IS NOW ON ITS 3RD REPLACEMENT. OTHER PRIOR WARNING SIGNS WERE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING AND OCCASIONAL CLICKING WHEN STARTING. THESE OTHER PRIOR WARNING SIGNS HAVE OCCURED SINCE 30K MILES.
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.
Exterior lighting, Visibility, Feb 12, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS PERCEIVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT THE ORIGIN OF THE ODOR COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILLION AUTO KIA (605-309-0977, LOCATED AT 1400 CAMBELL ST, RAPID CITY, SD 57701) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF AT RANDOM AND WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED AFTER THEY WERE MANUALLY TURNED OFF. THE SAME DEALER STATED THAT THE INTERIOR SWITCHES WERE INOPERABLE. THE FAILURES WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
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
Engine, Feb 7, 2019
ON 02-04-2019, MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT-DOWN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS IN THE PAST. KIA HAS BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THIS. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP ON VARIOUS OCCASION, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THE IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD BE LIFE THREATENING IF NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED.
Steering, Feb 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A KNOCKING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Seat belts, Seats, Other or unspecified, Jan 29, 2019
THE CAR HAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS RAIN TO SOAK THE SEATS, SEAT BELTS, AND ENTIRE TRUCK CREATING BLACK MOLD IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT, MOLD IN SIDE THE CAR ON THE SEATS AND SEAT BELTS. THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE TO BE MOVING IN ORDER FOR THE RAIN TO ENTER THE CAR. I HAVE HAD MY CAR DETAILED MULTIPLE TIMES ALONG WITH CLEANING THE MOLD OUT OF THE CAR MYSELF. SINCE OWNING THE CAR SINCE 2014 I HAVE STAYED SICK AND I ONLY FOUND OUT LAST MONTH HOW MY SEATS WERE GETTING SOAKED. THE ENTIRE BACKSEAT AND TRUNK NEED TO BE REPLACED FROM THE MOLD AND RUST FROM THE LEAK. ATTACHED ARE PHOTOS OF THE BACK SEAT AFTER A RAIN.
Engine, Jan 28, 2019
VEHICLE BURNS ALL OIL IN BETWEEN 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE. NO LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT. LAGRANGE GA KIA DEALERSHIP DID NOT DETECT ANY LEAKS .
Engine, Jan 24, 2019
THE CAR VERY HARD TO START. AFTER MANY TIMES OF TRYING TO START THE CAR IT DOES START IT WILL NOT READ THE CARS RPM. MANY TIMES THE CAR HAS JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THE ENGINE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE RUNNING SMOOTHLY.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 2, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WON'T WORK AND IF YOU TAP ON THE TURN SIGNAL THE LIGHTS FLICKER IN THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Dec 27, 2018
TAKARA RECALL I WOULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN MY AC STOPPED BLOWING AIR/HEAT FROM THE TWO CENTER VENTS.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 29, 2018
TAKATA RECALL, THE INDICATOR GAUGES/SENSORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING LOW OIL PRESSURE, AS WELL AS OTHERS ARE CURRENTLY NOT WORKING AND MY ENGINE IS BURNING OIL IN EXCESS OF MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATIONS. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE IS THAT THIS CAN CAUSE MY ENGINE TO SEIZE OR CATCH ON FIRE WHICH IS AN IMMENSE SAFETY CONCERN. PER THE YORK PA KIA DEALER, THE OIL WAS EMPTY THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR NEVER ILLUMINATED. IT WASN'T UNTIL MY CAR WAS DEEMED EMPTY THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER AND YORK KIA (SEPT 18) CLAIMED NO PERMANENT DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE AS A RESULT. (VEHICLE PASSED EMISSIONS/SAFETY TWO WEEKS LATER - MONROE MUFFLER & BREAK, YORK PA) AS MY CAR DIDN'T SEEM TO BE LEAKING OIL, SUBSEQUENT VIGILANCE BY ME REVEALED THAT MY CAR WAS BURNING OIL. TWO FOLLOW-UP VISITS SINCE SEPTEMBER TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITH LANCASTER PA KIA (LAST 11/27 - 11/28 (81,500 K ON ENGINE) AND WORK WITH GWC (POWER TRAIN $2,100 WARRANTY) AN AFTERMARKET WARRANTY HAVE BEEN REJECTED DESPITE EVIDENCE THAT MY CAR IS BURNING OIL IN EXCESS OF SPECS. AS I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, NOR DID I PURCHASE THIS AS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE, AS THERE IS NO ACTIVE RECALL, KIA WILL NOT REMEDY. MAINTENANCE RECORDS SUPPORT THAT THIS VEHICLE WASN'T MECHANICALLY NEGLECTED AND MAINTAINED BY ALL PREVIOUS OWNERS. IF YOU REQUEST NOTES FROM THE DEALERS THAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH PLEASE CALL ME AT [XXX] AND LEAVE ME A MESSAGE SO I KNOW WHAT THE CALL IS REGARDING. IN ADDITION MY EMAIL IS [XXX] THANK YOU. PS. AS THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE, AND NOT REALLY SAFE, INFORMATION THAT WOULD INDICATE THAT A RECALL FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL ON HOW I HANDLE THE SITUATION WITH MY CURRENT VEHICLE. LOST AROUND $500 NEEDING RENTALS ETC. PLUS WORTHLESS WARRANTY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Nov 27, 2018
I ALREADY KNOW ABOUT KIA AND THEIR LOUD ENGINES DUE TO BEING AN GDI ENGINE. BUT THIS WAS NOT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THIS WAS A SLAPPING TYPE OF NOISE THAT IS NOT RELATIVE TO THE ENGINE RPMS. AFTER THINKING IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN BEING LOOSE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE HAS WAS THEY CALL ENGINE SLAP. AFTER READING AND SEEING A LOT OF VIDEOS ONLINE ABOUT THIS, THE ENGINE HAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THAT THE PISTON SKIRTS ARE TO SHORT. REPLACING THE ENGINE WITH NEW OR REMANUFACTURED IS ONLY GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. NOT THRILLED THAT MY 2014 KIA FORTE EX WITH THE 2.0 HAS ONLY 76000 MILES AND NOW THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED. EVEN CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY ARE REPLACING A LOT OF THE 2.0 ENGINES AND OF COURSE THE 2.4 DUE TO THE RECALL ON THOSE. OF COURSE THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE 2.0. THIS NOISE OCCURRED THE DAY OF MY OIL CHANGE AND WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH. NO LIGHTS, NO WARNING. AND YES THE OIL LEVEL WAS GOOD. MOBILE 1 SYNTHETIC.
Steering, Nov 12, 2018
WHEN TURNING SHARPLY LIKE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP FOR A FEW SECONDS
Exterior lighting, Nov 5, 2018
HEAD LIGHTS AND INSIDE DASH LIGHT WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. IF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS LEFT IN THE AUTO POSITION WHILE PARKED AND THE KEYS REMOVED, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL COME ON BY THEM SELF SOMETIME IN THE NIGHT AND DRAIN THE BATTERY. WHEN TRYING TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS, THE DASH BOARD AND HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER AND GO OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 24, 2018
VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE WHEN STOPPING OR STOPPED & FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL. TURNING THE A/C ON SLIGHTLY MADE INTENSIFIED THE ACCELERATION.
Engine, Oct 20, 2018
MILEAGE 109000. DRIVING ALONG A HEARD KNOCKING IN ENGINE. PULLED TO SIDE AND WAITED FOR IT TO COOL DOWN AND CHECKED FLUIDS. EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. STARTED BACK DRIVING AND KNOCKING INCREASED AND THEN ENGINE SHUT OFF CAUSING US TO COAST FROM 60MPH ON A 4 LANE ROAD. LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO A SAFE SPOT TO PULL OVER.
Engine, Oct 19, 2018
TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN HEARD A BANG IN THE MOTOR PULLED OVER AND HEARD KNOCKING IN MOTOR. TURNED MOTOR OFF AND CHECKED FLUIDS AND ALL WE'RE NORMAL.. I HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE ALREADY AND WITH THE RECENT RECALLS ANNOUNCED I BELIEVE MY CAR IS ONE OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG UNTIL THE NOISE HAPPENED. AND ONLY 74000 MILES ON VEHICLE
Steering, Oct 18, 2018
THE STEERING COUPLER WENT BAD. STARTED HEARING LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING CALLED KIA THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT ONLY WARRANTY IS ON OPTIMAL AND SOULS AS OF NOW FOR IT. THE PIECE COST $1.08 THE LABOR IS $350 WAS WHAT I WAS QUOTED . ALSO TOLD THEY REPLACE TONS OF THEM A WEEK . RIDICULOUS KIA MAKE IT ACROSS THE BOARD. THE COUPLER IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2018, fire
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THOUGHT I SAW FIRE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THERE WAS MASSIVE SMOKE COMING FROM MY HOOD, SO BAD THAT I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY CAR IS TOTALED. *JS
Service brakes, Sep 25, 2018
THE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR CALIPER GUIDE PINS WERE FROZEN BY CORROSION, PREVENTING THE CYLINDER TO EXTEND AND ENGAGE THE BRAKE PADS ON THE ROTOR. THIS RESULTED IN THE LOSE OF ANY REAR BRAKING ACTION. WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING WOULD ENGAGE DUE TO LOST ROAD CONTACT, (IE. ICY OR BUMPY/ROUGH ROADS) THERE WAS NO BRAKING ACTION AT ALL. DURING NORMAL DRIVING, THE REAR BRAKES BEING FROZEN, THE CAR RELIES SOLELY ON THE FRONT CALIPERS TO STOP THE CAR. NO ACCIDENTS HAPPENED DURING THIS TIME. I DECIDED TO REPLACE THE REAR PADS AND NOTICED WHEN I REMOVED THE WHEEL I FOUND THE REAR ROTOR WAS RUSTED AND PITTED DUE TO NO CONTACT WITH THE PADS. WHEN I REMOVED THE CALIPER ASSEMBLY THE PINS WERE FROZEN IN PLACE AND COULD NOT BE BE FREED. THIS REQUIRED THAT THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR WAS FOUR YEARS OLD WITH ABOUT 85,000 MILES WHEN I REPLACED THE ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPER ASSEMBLIES. THE CONDITION WAS PROBABLY HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS BEFORE I DECIDED TO REPLACE THE PADS.
Engine, Sep 20, 2018
AT APPROXIMATELY 63,000 MILES I BEGAN HEARING A KNOCK IN THE ENGINE AND NOTICED HESITANCY AS THE ENGINE SHIFTED GEARS. ABOUT 4 DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE WOULD CONTACT KIA TO DETERMINE IF THE ENGINE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. YESTERDAY I WAS TOLD IT MAY BE AN ENGINE ROD. IT HAS BEEN OVER A WEEK WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION. I MENTIONED THAT KIA HAD RECALLED KIA OPTIMA FOR SIMILAR ENGINE AND WAS RUDELY ADVISED THAT THE FORTE AND OPTIMA HAD DIFFERENT ENGINES.