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, Apr 15, 2021
THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT TURNED ON AT A TRAFFIC STOP. AT THE NEXT STOP. THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AND THE IMMOBILIZER INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED ON AND AFTER ADDING OIL, THE ENGINE WILL NOT START.. KIA REFUSED TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AS THE PROBLEM CAUSE IS DESCRIBED BY THE RECALL. I TOOK THE CAR TO FREDY KIA ON 04/08/21 AND IT WILL BE CHECKED UNTIL 04/19/21.
Engine, Apr 2, 2021
OIL LEAKS FROM THE ENGINE DUE TO A THREADING PROBLEM, HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE AND I HAVE HAD TO GET MY VEHICLE TOWED AND WORKED ON AT A SHOP. THE VEHICLE STARTED POURING OIL WHILE DRIVING ON A 35MPH ROAD. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AS WELL. I HAVE VIDEOS OF THE CAR AND THE NOISE IT MADE
Engine, Mar 29, 2021
2015 KIA FORTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE ISSUES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. *JS
Engine, Mar 17, 2021
MY CAR LEFT MY CHILD STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE IN ORANGEBURG ON THE WAY HOME TO MACEDONIA, SC. IT WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND SHE HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. APPARENTLY THERE IS A RECALL ON MY ENGINE & I NEVER RECEIVED IT. I NOW HAVE A UNUSABLE CAR IN THE SHOP THAT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE DUE TO OIL LEAKING. IT IS CURRENTLY AT SHOP LIFE @ 2005 N MAIN ST, SUMMERVILLE SC (843) 475-9366.
Engine, Mar 10, 2021
I WILL BE DRIVING MY 2015 KIA FORTE AND IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF. NO WARNING AT ALL. JUST THANKFUL THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN HIT BY ANYONE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND HOW TO FIX IT. I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN IT TO A AUTO PARTS STORE AND THEIR MACHINE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG SHOWING
Engine, Mar 5, 2021
ALMOST 2 WEEKS AGO MY 2015 KIA FORTE WITH LESS THEN 80000 MILES STARTED TO MAKE A NOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE ESPECIALLY NO MATTERIF THE CAR IS PARKEDOR MOVING IT MAKE A NOISE BUT IT GOES AWAY AND COMES BACK IT'SNOT CONSTANTLY LOUD NOISE BUT SOMETIMES ITS AND IT GETS REALLY ANNOYING. I DON'T KNOW IF THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. BECAUSE EVERY TIME I TRY TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY TRY TO CHARGE ME MORE MONEY FOR THE CAR EVALUATION AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE WARRANTY IS NOT COVERING MY CAR BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL BASE ON MY VIN.. NUMBER KIA MOTORS HELP ME PLEASE
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 2, 2021
I FIRST NOTICED 3/1/2021 THAT MY CAR WAS USING HIGHER RPMS THAN NORMAL. THEN THE FOLLOWING MORNING OF 3/2/2021 WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON IT IMMEDIATELY STARTED MAKING A TICKING/WINDING SOUND WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL. BY THE END OF THE DAY THE NOISE AND ISSUE HAD GOTTEN WORSE WHEN I WAS TRYING TO DRIVE. IT STARTED NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE AT ALL AND FINALLY IT STARTED SMOKING AND TURNED COMPLETELY OFF AND LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
Engine, Mar 1, 2021
I MADE A FORMER COMPLAINT REGARDING OIL CONSUMPTION. I THEN BROUGHT MY KIA FORTE5 IN DUE TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE & KNOCKING (OIL CONSUMPTION WAS THE SYMPTOM). IT ALSO HAD A RATTLING NOISE WHICH WE SUSPECTED MAY BE THE CAT. LONG STORY SHORT, KIA HASN'T PAID A DIME FOR THIS, DESPITE THERE BEING A RECALL WHICH INCLUDES MY VIN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS COME UP WITH EVERY EXCUSE IN THE BOOK TO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. MY SHORT BLOCK MAY BE REPAIRED, BUT NOW THEY'RE SAYING I NEED TO PAY $2700 FOR A NEW CAT & MUFFLER... WHICH WAS DAMAGED FROM THE DEFECTIVE/RECALLED ENGINE. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP & CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER HAS BEEN DEPLORABLE AT BEST. THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST STRESSFUL EXPERIENCE. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THEIR SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH. THEY ALSO ARE CHARGER ME FOR NEW SPARK PLUGS, EVEN THOUGH I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO BUY THEM RIGHT NOW IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE. OH, THE TWO-WEEK LATE LOANER THEY FINALLY GOT TO ME? THEY DECIDED TO CALL ME AND TELL ME DAY-OF THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER COVERING IT AND WOULD CHARGE ME $35/DAY - NO WARNING. IT DOESN'T TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO FIGURE OUT THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED SYSTEMIC ISSUES, WHICH SHOULD MORE CERTAINLY BE COVERED BY KIA.
Engine, Feb 24, 2021
WHILE DRIVING IN CITY OR HIGHWAY, YOU HEAR ENGINE NOISE, SEE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT, ILLUMINATION OF THE LOW OIL WARNING LIGHT. THEN VEHICLE PROPULSION STOPS SUDDENLY, CONTINUES TO COAST BUT PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR HAS NO EFFECT, THE ENGINE DOESN'T REV. STOPPING, TURNING OFF ENGINE FOR 30 OR MORE MINUTES MAY ALLOW VEHICLE TO START AND MOVE AGAIN. ALSO FUEL SMELL.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 24, 2021
VECHILE STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH OUT WARNING
Engine, Feb 19, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR DETECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE), THE CONTACT CALLED GREENWAY KIA NORTH (625 N US HWY 17 92, LONGWOOD, FL 32750; (407) 571-1234) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED KIA HAD EXPERIENCED A SYSTEM FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,152. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
Engine, Feb 5, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STANDSTILL, THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER KIA OF STREETSBORO (835 CLASSIC DR, STREETSBORO, OH 44241, (330) 531-8918) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ENGINE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
Engine, Jan 23, 2021
I HAD SUDDENLY ENGINE MADE SOUND SHUTTER , I ALMOST GOT HIT BY 18 WHEEL TRUCK, I MANAGER TO PULL FINELLY AND AVOID ACCIDENT AND MANAGE TO PULL RIGHT, FIRAR IT WAS CLOSE TO SIDE RAILS . THE CAR HAD SP MUCH ENGINE NOISE , AND IT CUTS OF. 1.8 ENGINE WAS WONDERFULL . I WANNA THIS ENGINE TO REPKACED BY DEALER HAS ONLY 78 THOUSANDS MILES
Engine, Jan 15, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED KIA DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED OF AN UPCOMING RECALL THAT WAS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 27, 2021 FOR KIA VEHICLES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Engine, Jan 5, 2021
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. ENGINE STARTED TO HAVE A TICKING SOUND TO IT, I WAS ONLY 5 MINS FROM MY HOUSE SO I FIGURED I'D LOOK AT IT WHEN I GOT HOME. WENT TO ACCELERATE AND MY CAR DIDN'T HAVE THE POWER IT USED TO. NEXT I HEAR A POP SOUND AND WHITE SMOKE OUT OF THE EXHAUST. PULL OVER SMELL BURNT OIL AND OIL ALL OVER THE ALTERNATOR.
Engine, Jan 4, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, WHEN SHE BEGAN TO HEAR AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THEN SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE STARTED TO SMELL "BURNED RUBBER" AND SAW WHITE SMOKE EXITING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THE STARTED HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE ENGINE WAS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED JIM SHORKEY KIA (12900 US-30, IRWIN, PA 15642: (724) 241-0176) AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.
Engine, Jan 2, 2021, fire
DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR VEHICLE IN MOTION IT STARTED DRIVING DIFFERENT I PULLED OVER TO GET GAS ANYWAYS AND NOTICED BLACK SOOT ALONG BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS RAINING THAT NIGHT I DIDN'T REALLY THINK TOO MUCH OF IT I GOT HOME I TALKED TO A MECHANIC THAT'S A FRIEND AND HE NAME SEVERAL THINGS I DECIDED TO GOOGLE IT AND SAW THAT MY KIA FORTE IS ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE MOTOR CAUSING FIRES AND MOTOR FAILURE
Engine, Dec 27, 2020
THE ENGINE BEGAN, WITHOUT WARNING, CONSUMING THE OIL. THE ENGINE THEN BEGAN MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE THAT IS NOW IRREPARABLE WITHOUT REPLACEMENT. THIS KNOCKING NOISE, DUE TO LOW OIL, WAS NOT PRECEDED BY THE "OIL LIGHT," AS I HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE. THE CAR NOW STRUGGLES TO ACCELERATE AND I HAVE TO ADD OIL EVERY 2 WEEKS OR SO. THIS IS A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH OTHER KIA MODELS, WITH THE SAME ENGINE, THAT WILL BE INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN JANUARY 2021.
Engine, Dec 22, 2020
WE WERE NOT EXPERIENCING ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN THE CITY AND THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING DUE TO ENGINE ISSUES. IT APPEARS TO BE EXACTLY WHAT IS IN THE RECENT RECALL BUT OUR CAR IS NOT INCLUDED. THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK THAT WAS NOT NOTICEABLE AT ALL.
Engine, Dec 14, 2020
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES ENGINE POWER LOSS AS LOW AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ENGINE POWER LOSS IS ACCOMPANIED BY PLUME OF OIL SMOKE FROM EXHAUST, MOMENTARY CHECK ENGINE AND LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER RESULTS IN RAPID ENGINE DECELERATION OF VEHICLE UNTIL STOPPED AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE REGAINS POWER. VEHICLE HAS RECEIVED MAINTENANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE CYCLE.
Engine, Dec 8, 2020
WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF AND WASN'T WORKING. I WAS UNABLE TO START IT AGAIN. NO OIL LIGHTS, NO ENGINE LIGHTS, OR ANY OTHER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON PRIOR TO IT DYING. THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THERE IS NO OIL IN THE MOTOR AND I AM NOT UNDERSTANDING. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3-5,000 MILES. THE CAR SHOULDN'T HAVE STOPPED OPERATING WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT ABRUPTLY SHUT OFF. I WAS TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET DURING THAT TIME.
Engine, Nov 27, 2020
MY CAR HAS OR SHOULD I SAT HAD 143,000 MILES WHEN I WAS DRIVING LIKE I DO ANY OTHER NORMAL DAY TO GO HOME. I GAD TO TAKE A SLIGHT DETOUR BEFORE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF AND HAVING ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH POP UP. AFTER I PULLED INTO A SAFE PARKING SPOT MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON AT ALL. THE ENGINE KEPT MAKING A TICKING NOISE. I HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP THEN TO MY HOUSE!! THE CAR STATS ON FOR 10 SECONDS BEFORE SHUTTING OFF! WHY IS THIS NOT BEING RECALLED. I HAVE SEEN STORIES AND SIMILAR COMMENTS TO MINE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS NOW MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR TWO MONTHS
Engine, Nov 20, 2020
THE VEHICLE MILEAGE IS CURRENTLY AT 115,446 . AT APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES VEHICLE STARTED WITH A VERY LOUD COLD START. NOT ONLY WAS IT LOUD BUT IT WAS ROUGH WITH A HIGH RPM. I KNOW THEY CALL IT COLD START FOR A REASON BUT THIS IS NOT COMMON WITH OTHER VEHICLES I OWNED THAT WERE 2015S. NOW THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A TICKING OR KNOCKING NOISE. CURRENTLY THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND WITH THE OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT ARE MATCHING EXACTLY UP TO MINE WHY ISNT THIS PROBLEM BEING INVESTIGATED OR RECALLED? IF AND WHEN THIS VEHICLE SEIZES ON ME LIKE EVERY COMPLAINT ON HERE I WILL UPDATE. THERE IS SUPPOSEDLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL BUT NOT A SINGLE RECALL. NOT EVEN AN INVESTIGATION? PLEASE UPDATE US AND PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THE COMPLAINTS WHAT STEPS YALL ARE TAKING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.
Engine, Oct 25, 2020
ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 25, 2020WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY ENGINE SEIZED AND THE CAR DIED AND WOULDN'T START AND I HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY HOUSE AND THEN TO THE MECHANIC A FEW DAYS LATER AND WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT OIL WAS BURNING FAST WITH NO KNOWN REASON. ALSO TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD AND I HAVE TO NOW REPLACE MY ENGINE.
Engine, Oct 21, 2020
THE CAR STATED HAVING A LIGHT KNOCKING ON AND OFF, THEN STARTED CUTTING OUT AND STUTTERING. IT PROGRESSED AND NOW THE ENGINE WILL MAKE A NOISE LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE ON AND OFF AND THE CAR WILL GO DEAD STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND ALSO WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR INTERSTATE.