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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2018
I WAS LEASED THIS CAR WITHOUT A SPARE TIRE AND WITHOUT A TIRE INFLATOR.
Steering, Aug 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE WHILE TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (ORLANDO KIA EAST, 8701 EAST COLONIAL DRIVE, ORLANDO, FL 32817, (407) 678-1717) AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,908.
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.
Engine, Aug 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SHAWNEE MISSION KIA USED CARS, 7810 SHAWNEE MISSION PARKWAY, OVERLAND PARK, KS 66202) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
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..
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 27, 2018
HAD RECALL REPAIRED ON 01-26-18 & HAD CHECK ELECTRICAL WIRE IN PHOTO, & WHY DID NOT START WHEN TURN KEY. NO ONE COULD FIND ANYTHING INCLUDING PERSONAL MECHANIC. FOUND KIA FORTE HAD MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS & THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR WITH 4 YEAR OLD CAR. OCCURRED 2ND TIME ON 07-20-18 & WHEN WIRE TOUCHED TO "TIGHTEN," CAR STARTED. FEELS LIKE WANTS TO CUT OFF & YOU CAN FEEL VIBRATION, BUT SEEMS TO KEEP GOING. SEEMS TO OCCUR AFTER RUNNING THEN PARKING, BUT ALL LIGHTS & BELLS ARE WORKING, SO NOT BATTERY. SITUATION OCCURRED PRIOR TO RECALL FOR REPAIR & WAS TOLD TO TELL KIA SHOP. YOU HAVE TO CHECK MANUALLY, NOT DEPEND ON COMPUTER AS THAT IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PROGRAMMER. IT CAN MAKE MISTAKES, TOO. ALL TIMES VEHICLE WAS PARKED AFTER OPERATING. IT COULD CUT OUT IN MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE & CAUSE SERIOUS OR DEADLY ACCIDENT.
Engine, Jul 24, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL ODOR. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIREFIGHTERS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT'S SIGNIFICANT OTHER SUFFERED BURNS ON THE RIGHT HAND THUMB, BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2018, fire
I WAS TAKING MY BOYFRIEND TO WORK WHEN I NOTICED A SMELL WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR THE SMELL GOT WORST I WENT TO GO GET MY BOYFRIEND AND WHEN WE GOT BACK TO THE CAR IT WAS SMOKING. I HURRIED AND GRABBED THE KIDS OUT IF THE CAR NEXT THING WE KNOW THE FRONT IF THE CAR UNDER THE HOOD CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS ALMOST A BRAND NEW CAR IT HAD ONLY 60,000 MILES ON IT. NO WARNING LIGHTS NOTHING THE FIRE WAS SO BIG LIKE SOMETHING OUT IF A MOVIE. KIA ISN'T EXPLAINING WHY MY CAR WOULD JUST CATCH FIRE OUT OF THE BLUE. IT WAS RUNNING PARKED ON A BUSINESS PARKING LOT
Seat belts, Jul 19, 2018
TAKATA RECALL: ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LOCK AND SECURE FOR THE DRIVER ACROSS THE LAP AND CHEST. THE BUCKLE WORKS FINE. THE SEAT BELT IS NOT SECURING TO ENSURE DRIVER WON'T BE THROWN FROM VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS DOES NOT STAY SECURE WHEN IN MOTION OR IF THE CAR IS PARKED. NO LIGHTS APPEAR ON DASH BUT FEEL IT IS STILL A SAFETY ISSUE WITH CONTINUED DRIVING.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 19, 2018
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND SOMETIMES SHUT OFF AND THEN BACK ON. FAILURE APPEARS IMMANENT.
Engine, Jul 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (RICK CASE KIA, 3190 SATELLITE BLVD, DULUTH, GA 30096, (888) 322-3854) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12774224. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 19, 2018
ELECTRICAL ISSUES HAVE HAPPENED COUNTLESS TIMES. SUCH AS TURNING ON THE BLINKER MAKES ALL LIGHTS GO OUT IN CAR THEN TURN BACK ON AS WELL AS REPLACING THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. ENGINE: SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT SHAKES AND VIBRATIONS OFTEN TIMES. THE SAME WAY THE KIA OPTIMA ENGINE THETA LL ENGINE HAD TO BE RECALLED DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE THIS ENGINE HAS SIMILAR ISSUES AND IT OVERALL ISN'T THE BEST CAR WITH A PASSENGER SAFETY RATING OF JUST 2 OR 3 STARS. KIA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND RECALL THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE UNSAFE. MY ENGINE SHOULD NOT VIBRATE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO THE POINT WHERE I'M VIBRATING OBNOXIOUSLY. ALSO THE ELECTRICAL HAZARDS ARE UNREAL ESPECIALLY IF I HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKE LIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES. KIA. LOOK INTO THIS AND FIX IT. THESE THINGS HAPPEN WHETHER THE CAR IS MOVING OR NOT.
Air bags, Service brakes, Engine, Jun 12, 2018, crash
MY DAUGHTER HAD A CAR CRASH ON JULY 22, 2017 DUE TO BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN TUSCALOOSA, AL AND THERE WERE NO OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD THANK GOD. HER CAR HYDROPLANED AND HIT A RAILING. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. UNKNOWN ABOUT THE FAULT OR PROBLEM THAT CREATED THE UNSAFE CONDITION. HER CAR IS AT A BODY SHOP IN ALABAMA SO I WILL OBTAIN REPAIR INVOICES AND POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MY DAUGHTER DOES NOT HAVE CAR INSURANCE.
Electrical system, May 7, 2018
THE BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT WITH WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON IN THE CAR THAT WON'T GO OFF IN THE TRUNK AND THE DASH THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE CAR WON'T START IF ITS PARKED SLIGHTLY DOWNWARD
Engine, May 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. HOMETOWN KIA (111 MIDTOWN AVE, MT HOPE, WV) DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 26, 2018
I HAD REPORT THE ISSUE TO KIA OF TUPELO, MS. MY CARD HAS HAD TWO RECENT ISSUES. THE FIRST ONE BEING THAT UPON ACCELERATION, WHITE SMOKE HAS BEEN NOTED TWICE. THE CAR HAS STALLED OUT TWICE UPON TAKE OFF ON THE HIGHWAY/INTERSTATE. THIS CONCERN ME GREATLY! ON MY MOST RECENT OIL CHANGE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT I HAVE AT LEAST TWO QUARTS OF OIL SHORTAGE, WITH NO LEAKS NOTED.
Wheels, Apr 25, 2018
MY TIRES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE BUT I KEEP GETTING NOTIFICATIONS INDICATING I HAVE LOW TIRES PRESSURE. I GOT IT CHECKED OUT AND THE TIRES HAVE THE PROPER AMOUNT OF AIR. EVEN AFTER GETTING THE SENSORS RESET, I STILL GET THIS NOTIFICATION. NOW THE TPMS STAYS ON WHETHER I'M TRAVELING OR JUST STATIONARY.
Service brakes, Apr 15, 2018
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROX. 30 MPH AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH A RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL, I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE AT ALL. I STOOD ON THE BRAKES AND THEY REMAINED FIRM AND DID NOT GO DOWN. I REPEATED THIS 4 DIFFERENT TIMES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND THE CAR CONTINUED MOVING. I WAS GOING THROUGH THE RED LIGHT AND FORTUNATELY THE ON COMING TRAFFIC AS ABLE TO AVOID ME. AFTER CROSSING THE INTERSECTION I RAN IT INTO A GRASSY GRAVEL AREA WHERE IT FINALLY STOPPED.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 11, 2018, crash
ON SATURDAY MARCH 26TH, 2018 I WSS DRIVING NORTH BOUND ON I471 IN KENTUCKY. DOING ABOUT 50-55 MPH WHILE IT WAS SNOWING/SLEETING OUTSIDE. AS I WAS TRAVELING ANOTHER VEHICLE SWERVED OVER TO GET IN EXIT LANE WHILE AT SAME TIME ON A RIGHT TURN AROUND EXIT LANE. ONCE CAR DID SO, I HAD TO PRESS HARD, SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID BEING CLIPPED BY OTHER VEHICLE. AS I DID THIS I BEGAN TO SPIN NOR, THE ESC OR TRACTION CONTROL TOOK OVER AND I SPUN OUT OF CONTROL STRIKING GUARD RAIL AT UNKNOWN SPEED. I WAS UNINJURED, HOWEVER AS U CAN SEE LOTS OF DAMAGE TO FRONT AND DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I CONTACTED KIA RIGHT AWAY DO TO THE RECENT RECALLING BRAKE STOP PEDAL. I TOOK PICTURES THEY REQUIRED ANDCS3NT THEM AS, TOO THEY WERE CONCERNED OF NON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THEY DETERMINED VIA AN ENGINEER WITH IN THEIR DEPT. JUST BY LOOKING AT PHOTO'S THAT AIRBAG SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. SO, MY ISSUE WITH THIS IS THEY ARE MAKING A DETERMINATION BY NOT PHYSICALLY HAVING VEHICLE DAMAGE TO MAKE ASSUMPTION AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. UPON LOOKING AT OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS MINE. THIS MAYBE A CONCERN GOING FORWARD. I HAVE GIVEN SAID AUTOMAKER TO HELP WITH REPAIRS FROM ACCIDENT. AND THEY SEEM TO TRYING TO AVOID THESE PROBLEMS WITH SAID VEHICLE.
Visibility, Apr 6, 2018
2014 KIA FORTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE REAR VIEW MIRROR. *LD *TR
Exterior lighting, Mar 29, 2018
2014 KIA FORTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AND HEADLIGHTS NOT STARTING UP. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER. THE DEALERS ADVISED THERE WERE OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME FAILURE AND THAT THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING A DESIGNED. *JS
Air bags, Mar 28, 2018, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE A CAR HIT HIT ME BEHIND AND PUSHED MY CAR INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR CAUSING THE FRONT SMASHED BOO INPACT AND BAG DIDN'T COME OUT ON EITHER SIDE. MY CAR WAS A DEAD STOP BEFORE THE INPACT FROM BEHIND ON A EXISTING TO A OFF RAMP ON THE INTERSTATE.
Air bags, Seats, Mar 20, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Air bags, Mar 18, 2018
DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT A MONTH AGO AT SAM'S CLUB IN FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA. I WENT TO 3 KIA DEALERSHIPS AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY $150 JUST TO TEST IT. I DIDNT HAVE THE MONEY, BUT NOW THE LIGHT JUST STAYS LIT. ALL OF THESE DEALERSHIPS ARE HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. I HAD MY BRAKES REPAIRED ON FEBRUARY 21, AND THE AUTO SHOP TRIED TO ATTACH A DIAGNOSTICS MACHINE TO IT, BUT THIS SYSTEM IS SET SO THAT ONLY KIA CAN DIAGNOSE IT.