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.
Power train, Engine, Sep 17, 2025
Slow to shift and accelerate
Steering, Sep 11, 2025
The steering coupler clunks when I turn my steering wheel
Air bags, Aug 15, 2025
The air bag light comes on and off. Rubber Weather stripping leaking. Runs hot.
Engine, Jun 25, 2025
The engine is failing. I took my Kia Forte into the dealership in March of 2025 for a blinking engine light and loss of power. It is under a warranty for engine replacement but Kia has done everything in their power not to help their own customer out. This engine issue can cause life threatening issues such as engine fires or stalling on busy roads which could lead to accidents. I will be getting further help from an attorney if the issue is not resolved.
Steering, Jun 13, 2025
MDPS Flexible Steering Coupler Fails on all these cars but only Optima’s got covered even though the same defective coupler is used in the Forte’s Here is the memo for the Optima’s TSB: CHA072 / CS1604 (Rev 2) Optima (QF/TF/TFH) August 2016
Engine, Jun 10, 2025
The car has a knock sensor that causes it to go into limp mode. I was told by the service manager to drive it until the code goes from pending to not pending. The code is 1326. I have drove it, and it is not safe to drive. You can’t go ten miles without it going into limp mode.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Jun 1, 2025
The MDPS power steering coupler became worn out causing erratic steering issues.the coupler part its self is not even listed on the vehicle so the dealership would only recommend replacing the entire MDPS. i replaced the coupler myself due to lack of affordability for entire motor. steering is now fixed. additional ongoing issue with left turn signal bulbs have burned out repeatedly within days of being changed cuurently the bulb is working but the system doesnt register that signals are working causing hyper flashing. researching these issues i have found multiple online sources claiming similar issues with both turn signals and power steering couplers.
Engine and engine cooling, May 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated and then lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the radiator had failed and needed to be replaced. Then the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle as coolant leak into the cylinder, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The radiator repair was performed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinders, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
Engine, May 3, 2025
I brought my vehicle into the Kia dealership (Jim Ellis Kia of Kennesaw) due to check engine light and limp mode activation. The code P1326 was identified, which is tied to Kia's extended warranty related to known engine defects. This all started Sunday [XXX], and I brought the car to the Kia dealership (Jim Ellis Kia of Kennesaw) on [XXX]. Despite this I was told I do not qualify for warranty service unless the engine fails completely. The dealership also attempted to upsell me unrelated services (such as an engine flush) without performing proper diagnostics. When I pressed for answers, I was told they did not even inspect the engine's cleanliness, despite recommending a $500 service. I called Kia Consumer Affairs and opened a claim. 2 repair orders were sent to the dealership, but the dealership did not respond to me or Kia Consumer Affairs. I was eventually told the dealership is refusing to work on my vehicle further and I was instructed to pick it up. The most concerning part is the Service Advisor at the Kia Dealership told me I need to "drive the car until the engine blows up" before I qualify for warranty. This is extremely unsafe for me and everyone on the road, and I feel uncomfortable with doing so. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, May 2, 2025
Started working with Kia care center about October 2024. My engine oil was burning internal and I was given a case number, was told to drive until oil was very low and drive 1,000 miles, and told NOT to add oil from Grand Kia. Took my car into Grand Kia, didn't get to 1,000 only lasted three months, Kia care center woman I was working with called many times keeping everything I said, did. Kia added oil and told me I had to drive another 1,000 miles until very low. April 14 took car back, shaking oil very low. They added oil and told me the reason my car was shaking was a spark plug was loose. That is not true it shakes when oil low, It happened before when oil was very low they told me I can leave I told them they are suppose to put in an engine, they said no, we aren't doing that. I called Kia care center put in my case number, couldn't speak to the woman I have been dealing with after speaking to two other reps. I spoke with a manager. He was also very rude. Said I was not getting an engine. I took my car to Christian Bros. Auto shop, they did a compression test, it's my engine, my pistons. This has been going on for about seven months, doing what they asked me to do. Grand Kia would not give me receipts because they were not charging me. I currently have 113,000 miles. My engine light stopped working, my car is shaking. I don't drive it, I'm frightened it will stop working while driving.
Tires, Engine, Apr 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH on the highway, there was smoke coming from under the hood. There was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle stopped. The TPMS and engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that failure was due to the engine. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Engine, Apr 13, 2025
The engine has known defects, however is not on the engine replacement campaign. Failed at 114k miles. KIA refuses to acknowledge known defects. Dealer confirmed bad engine. Second opinion confirmed also. No warning or service engine lights. All oil changes were arouond 3k miles. Started with a slight ticking noise that progressivly got worse.. Driviability is fine. So this proves KIA has defective engines including the 1.8 liter.
Steering, Engine, Mar 5, 2025
Burning a unnecessary amount of oil. The oil pump failed
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Mar 2, 2025
The car will randomly cut off while driving, to restart the car must be put into neutral to restart and the lights go off during that time. If you are on the interstate going over 50, it will jerk and restart itself but the steering gets really stiff and you have to pull over and cut car off and restart to get the steering to work properly again.
Steering, Feb 25, 2025
Steering started acting funny, I called Kia 800 333 4542 about their Technical service bulletin and spoke with TY he stated this is not a manufacturer defect and is not covered for repair since there wasnt a recall. MDPS Flexible Coupling Replacement Technical Service Bulletin Ref: CHA074 REV 2 Date of Issue: April 3, 2019 Kia - 2014 Forte Group: Chassis
Engine, Feb 24, 2025
As mentioned in the dealership report, Kia denied my request to repair a recall on the motor. My car still has warranty on the motor up to 15 years and 150,000 miles.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 20, 2025
My 2014 Kia Forte experienced random stalling/loss of speed. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic multiple times- the crank shaft sensor was replaced, new batteries were put in, and a starter was replaced. When starting the vehicle sometimes it would not turn over or click a few times to start. A ticking noise was noted aswell and relayed to the mechanic-mechanic could not find any issues. The oil light began coming on and off-especially when stopped the light would stay on, when starting to drive if would go off. Took the vehicle to the closest mechanic-the mechanic said he has diagnosed another Kia with the same issue. He said to look up recalls. I found out that my car is experiencing the exact same issues as other Kias listed as NHTSA Recall Number: 20V750- It was diagnosed at a Kia dealer in which they noted the rod is coming lose in the engine and that the whole engine would need to be replaced. When calling Kia I was told I was not going to qualify because I have a 1.8 Liter engine, however the symptoms of the car are identical to the recall listed above. The car needs a whole new engine replacement. I tried multiple times to get my car diagnosed and was told by a few mechanics that nothing was wrong with the car. I do not feel that it is fair that this car is not included in the recall. It is a 2014 Kia Forte, and other 2014 Kia fortes are listed in the recall. The cost of repair is more than what the car is currently valued at. The car has just recently hit 104,000 miles. All the maintenance on the car was routinely taken care of and inspections/emissions have always been up to date.
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 9, 2025, crash
After T-boning a Toyota Prius, my air bag did not go off and my driver seat belt did not lock. As a result, I suffered a collapsed right lung, my left hand punched the windshield fracturing my wrist and had to have surgery from that. Also suffered my 7th right rib fractured. There was no warning lamps and no shop or dealer mentioned any of the malfunctions.
Back over prevention, Jan 25, 2025
Back-up camera does not function. I'm told the camera unit itself is at fault, not the electrical circuit leading to the 'head unit' (infotainment system). It has not operated property for about two years. I've owned the vehicle for7 years.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 25, 2025
Sterling wheel begins to shake at high speed and a lower speed causing the whole steering wheel to shake and make noise. And have realized the cruise control is no longer working
Engine, Jan 2, 2025
I want to report KIA of Lynchburg at 3400 Old Forest Rd. Lynchburg, VA 24501 because they do not want to honor their recall. October 14, 202I: I took my car to Kia because of a recall. After the mechanic finish, Lisa said to bring it back if the engine light goes on. (Exhibit 1) November 16, 2021: Lisa said that if the light was on due to a different problem I have to pay for the service. I agreed to hook it on the computer because I was sure all this has to do with the recall. I had to pay $99 because the oxygen sensor was not part of the recall. I asked her for a copy of the recall. She said, “you don’t qualify for the recall because you went over the mileage.” And she didn’t give me a copy. (Exhibit 2) June 5, 2024: I took my car to Harris. I let them know about t the popping sound on the steering wheel and the losing of power going uphill. I was recommended to bring my car back to Kia. (Exhibit 3) Jun 11, 2024: I took my car to KIA at Harry Tire's suggestion and because I received a letter from Kia. The Kevin said they’re going to check the breaks, oil waste, and the losing of power. 9:27am (434) 847-3292. I call KIA because I forgot to tell the guy about the knocking sound from the steering wheel. Kevin explained me that I will be charge for that because that was not cover under the warranty. I told him not to do it. I received an estimate of everything that needs to be fixed on the car and how much I will be charged. (Exhibit 4) Sept 3, 2024: I called service of Kia and Mike answered, I told him that I want to set up an appoint because I received a renotification letter at that moment he hands up the telephone on me. I called again to service, and I left a message letting them know what happened with my first call, but nobody contacted me back. (Exhibit 5) October 1, 24: I took my car to NTB for the oxygen sensor to be change, but the mechanic said code P1326 shows a history, and that his wife had the same problem and KIA had to install a new motor for her.
Steering, Dec 19, 2024
Popping noise from steering and play in steering wheel. Was informed by a local mechanic that is was the steering coupler for the MDPS unit. Checked and saw a recall for the same issue with the Kia Soul but saw nothing for the Forte even though Hyundai had a recall for the Elantra and Sonata for the same issue. This is a vital part of the car and if it breaks as easy as it does it needs to be recalled on all the vehicles that have it and not just certain ones. I have not had it repaired yet but will be doing so shortly as well as talking with an attorney about the issue.
Steering, Nov 8, 2024
I was driving the Forte and my steering wheel started to feel loose. It would click when I turned it. When I would go over a speed bump or hit a pot hole, my steering would jolt and make a loud noise. While driving on the highway, steering seemed loose and wasn't stable. I drove slower because I was afraid the problem would become worse or I would lose control of the steering.b
Steering, Aug 28, 2024
The contact's mother owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving and turning the steering wheel, the steering wheel made an abnormal popping sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the flexible coupling in the MDPS (motor-driven power steering) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Kia Campaign Number: 074. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact the VIN was not covered under the campaign. The failure mileage was approximately 43,350.
Structure, Aug 18, 2024
While driving down the road the hood just opened shattering the windshield. Closed the hood back and drove down the road and it did it again.