2015 Kia Forte
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 259 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 16 Forte model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 16 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 11 people were injured and 1 person died.
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
Representative owner complaints: engine
161 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Mar 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormally loud rattling sound. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed an undisclosed speed and later became undrivable. Additionally, the contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated while there was sufficient oil in the engine. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine), which the contact related to the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update was performed; however, the failure persisted. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle back after the manufacturer had approved the request for the engine replacement. The vehicle was driven to the residence; however, the failure worsened while driving. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the recall was marked completed. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,330.
Engine, Feb 21, 2025
At 85,400 miles just outside of warranty the engine began knocking and the Kia Dealer is saying that the motor is in bearing failure and the engine needs to be replaced. Kia is doing nothing.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 30, 2024
My car stopped while I was driving and I had a catastrophic engine failure. I had to use my engine warranty and also out of pocket pay. I want to issue a warning to the dealer who sold me this vehicle. And I want a reimbursement because I recently purchased the vehicle/
Exterior lighting, Engine, Dec 21, 2024
Engine issues constantly
Engine, Nov 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of failure. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine, Nov 22, 2024
At 60,000 miles the engine began knocking and recently the engine blew through the bottom and cracked.
Engine, Oct 25, 2024
The engine lost pressure while being driven on the interstate. My daughter was able to pull over and then the car began to smoke. She and a passenger immediately exited the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the nearest shop and was diagnosed with engine failure. My daughter indicated that no check engine light illuminated nor did the temperature gauge note that the vehicle was overheating, but it just began to lose pressure even when she tried to accelerate. I was researching cost to have the engine replaced and came across other Forte owner's testimony that they have had engine problems as well, but the Forte was not listed under the Kia recall for engine issues. But perhaps, it should be.
Engine, Sep 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the engine was making an abnormal sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 119,597. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine, Jul 13, 2024
Engine malfunctioned while driving vehicle on busy street. There were no engine lights on prior to malfunction. Oil change and routine maintenance was completed. Unknown if problem is reproduced, just word of mouth that other Kia have had problems with engines. No inspections completed.
Engine, Jun 29, 2024
I have already filled out one of these forms a couple of years ago. It is absolutely ridiculous that every 2011-2015 Kia Forte engine has been recalled, but mine has not. My engine completely blew up a few years ago. It has the exact same problem all these other engines have. I called Kia and asked them to help me replace it bc the issue is exactly the same and they refused. A con-rod warped and then broke and it shot through the bottom of my engine. The rod could have shot back into the inside of the car. God forbid my daughter would be in my car and that happens. I had to replace the engine and the turbo which isn’t cheap at all. Then because of the strain of all of that, it made my transmission go out which has now been replaced. All of these other engines have the exact same problem. It’s the same problem as the 2.0L, but I guess because mine is a 1.6L and it’s a manual transmission, mine hasn’t been recalled yet? The only reason I’m making another report is because my check engine light is on, AGAIN, and the new engine in my car is starting to experience the exact same issues as my last one. Literally every other type of Kia Forte engine has been recalled except for my. I would like a recalled to be issued and a refund of the money I have sunk into this car. I can’t sell it because I owe too much on it, so the only option is to fix it. At this point I have put more than double the amount of money into this car than it’s even worth. Something needs to be done here. I’m really not trying to wait around until it blows up again and I have to replace another engine. I know I’m just one person, but there has to be other complaints like this.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 28, 2024
On approximately, 04/15/2024, 8:00 am, My 2015 Kia Forte with less 115,000 miles suddenly shut down going 65 MPH! A severe accident was avoided by manhandling the steering wheel to get it to the side of the road. When I called the Kia's Consumer Affair, to report the incident, I was told there was no recall on the motor so they were not labile. I am very frustrated, upset and stressed that Kia's doesn't care about it reputation.
Engine, May 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle did not accelerate as intended. In addition, the RPMs were elevated extremely high. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, the contact was informed that the repair would not be covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). In addition, the contact was informed that the recall notification had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
Engine, Apr 21, 2024
Purchased the car certified preowned from a Kia dealer with 45,000 miles on it, meaning I would have the the remaining 55,000 miles of the 100,000 mile powertrain coverage. At 77,000 miles a small ticking noise started on the way to work and became a knock on the way home. I pulled over where it was safe and towed it to the dealer. They replaced the engine under warranty. Now at 154,000 everything has been running great except for burning oil rather quickly. Where I get my oil changes done offers free top-offs so I would return frequently to make certain the oil level was always in the safe zone. Driving home from work one night, I was on a busy freeway when suddenly and without warning a small squeak noise came from the engine and it stalled. Luckily I just happened to be in the right lane and there happened to be a narrow but safe shoulder to coast over to. Had this happened while I was close to the fast lane, the consequences could’ve been dire. The engine would not hardly turn over and would not start. I had it towed to my mechanic who said it sounds like a serious engine problem and you should contact the dealer. I towed it to the local Kia dealership where the service department informed me that there was an extended 50,000 mile warranty added to the original 100,000 warranty (which I was never notified about) but since I was 4,000 miles over I did not qualify. This means the replacement engine quit after 77,000 miles just like the original. I feel that they should in good faith honor the warranty - had I been informed I could brought the car in just 4,000 miles earlier and they would’ve checked the compression and determined that the rings were failing which is why it used so much oil, and they would’ve replaced this second engine under warranty.
Engine, Apr 19, 2024
Full engine failure at around 110,000 miles. Metal shavings in oil. Car stalls suddenly when driving. Unsafe to drive.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 8, 2024
Over the last 5 years that I have owned the vehicle, the engine will stall when idle or at low speeds. This has happened at stop lights, on hills and while on the highway (which is obviously very dangerous). The engine the vehicle has to be turned off and restarted and usually it will stall again within a few minutes. For the most part, this happens after the vehicle has been driven for at least 15-20 minutes and there are few issues at higher speeds. As such, when taken to the dealer, they have been unable to replicate the issue. The issue is sometimes resolved after an oil change, however it may recur before the next oil change is due (ie within 3 months). The vehicle has otherwise had it's recommended service Many internet searches note many vehicles of my model and many other Kia's with the exact same issue
Engine, Mar 24, 2024
engine seized at the light. i was stuck in the middle of a 6 lane road located in greenville midnight. engine can cause a fire and burn up while i’m inside. the problem was confirmed by a test machine by the mechanic “Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1)” no warning lights at all! … the traffic light was red and once it turned green i let off the brake and then it shut off
Engine, Jan 10, 2024
Engine shuts off while driving
Engine, Nov 3, 2023
The engine in my car began failing at 60,000 mile despite having all maintenance records. The KIA dealership expressed that this is happening to many similar cars and a recall was issued for a similar engine to mine with the same issue. They expressed that the engine could seize up while driving and cause a wreck unless I purchase a new/used one to put into my car. Again all routine maintenance was kept up to date.
Engine, Oct 26, 2023
Car has same issues for 4 years, shaking, stalling, loosing speed while driving. Check engine light on. Light knocking noise while driving can’t go above 45 miles an hour. Also 3 times car smelled like electrical burning. But was told by Kia nothing wrong with engine
Engine, Oct 13, 2023
My daughter was driving it and all of a sudden the engine light came on then the oil it started to loose power so she pulled over right away so we had it towed to a mechanic and the motor needs to be replaced. We never had problems at all with it until then its been well taken care of.
Engine, Sep 27, 2023
Three years ago, I took my car to 2 separate kia dealers regarding the knocking in engine. Both said it's "normal". I told them then that they wouldn't sell the car with it knocking. I was contacted in 2022 by credit karma of a safety recall regarding brakes. Another recall was from kia regarding safety from vehicles easily being stolen. I cleared these 2 safety recalls on my vehicle, but I am still being told nothing is wrong with the knocking I hear under the hood. My vin# states my car isn't affected, but I think it is. My brand of car should be included in this recall. Thank you
Engine, Jul 29, 2023
Engine failure. I was stopped at a red light and when I pressed the accelerator to go, I didn't realize the engine shut down. I had to have the car towed and learned a day later of the engine recall for the 2015 Kia Forte EX 5
Engine, Jun 28, 2023
My engine blew up. It should be included in the recall but it says its not for the 2012-2015 kia forte.
Air bags, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 15, 2023
AIRBAG WARNING IS ON, BUTTONS/CONTROL OF THE WHEEL DONT WORK, CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. MOTOR SHAKES A LOT. WE GOT THIS CAR 2-3 WEEKS AGO LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHEN WE GOT IT FROM THE DEALER. IM NOT AN EXPERT BUT I THINK THAT SOMETHING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY... IM DO APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE
Engine, Jun 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that after several oil changes, he noticed that the vehicle was consuming and excessive amount of engine oil. Following a visual inspection, the contact stated that he noticed the engine was leaking oil and making an abnormal sound. The check oil level warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.