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
259 reports, newest first.
Power train, Jan 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DUE TO A CRASH, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CASE WAS DAMAGED AND STARTED TO CORRODE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THE DAMAGE AND CORROSION WAS PRESENT PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000. UPDATED 04/04/16*LJ *CN
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 21, 2016
WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES FROM A STOP, THERE IS SEVERE VALVE PINGING SOUND. KIA MOTORS AMERICA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT ARE NOT TAKING ANY STEPS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE "AS IT DOES NOT DO ANYTHING TO THE CAR". THE NOISE IS VERY SEVERE ON THE 2015 FORTE AND IT IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE CAR. THE WIND NOISE AND THE VALVE PING MAKE THE CAR VERY LOUD. THE DEALER SAYS THAT SINCE KIA MOTORS AMERICA IS NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE, NOTHING CAN BE DONE. KIA MOTORS AMERICA HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR YEARS BUT HAVE FAILED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT AS THEY ARE DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE UPGRADING TO BETTER GAS, BUT THE NOISE STILL PERSISTS. KIA RECOMMENDS AND ADVERTISES REGULAR UNLEADED FOR THE FORTE, BUT A MORE EXPENSIVE PLUS OR PREMIUM GRADE IS NEEDED TO DECREASE THE SOUND OF THE PING. THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL ADDED EXPENSE TO THE CAR THAT KIA FAILS TO ADDRESS.
Air bags, Jan 17, 2016, crash
ON 1/15/2016, I HIT A MASSIVE 10-POINT BUCK (DEER) HEAD ON. IT WAS STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND I DROVE INTO IT DOING 65 MPH. THE FRONT OF MY CAR SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE; THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS PUSHED BACK AND THE HOOD WAS BENT BACK TO THE WINDSHIELD. YET, MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE WORKED AS A PARAMEDIC/FF FOR OVER 15 YEARS, AND I HAVE WORKED HUNDREDS OF ACCIDENT SCENES. I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW... THIS AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILED. WITH THE FRONT END DAMAGE THAT MY CAR SUSTAINED, THAT AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO KIA WITH NO RESPONSE, SO PERHAPS THE NHTSA CAN FORCE KIA TO FIX THIS. BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME FATALITIES IF THIS ISN'T FIXED.
Air bags, Dec 7, 2015, crash
"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE AN ONCOMING LEFT TURN INTO MY LANE, CAUSING A COLLISION. I HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON WITH HER FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS? *JS
Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2015
WELL LEAKING WATER IN TRUNK HAD TO LET KIA STORE IN CLARKSVILLE, INDIANA TAKE IT TO FIX DIDN'T FIX STILL PAYING ON A LEASE AND THEY STILL WILL NOT FIX IT SCREWING ME OVER DO NOT EVER BUY A CAR FROM KIA STORE IN CLARKSVILLE, INDIANA THEY ARE CROOKS MOLD GROWING IN BACKSEAT [XXX]. VIN UNAVAILABLE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2015
WHILE MONITORING THE REAR VIEW CAMERA DISPLAY TO AVOID OBSTACLES WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VIDEO FRAME FROZE CREATING THE IMPRESSION THAT I WAS FARTHER AWAY FROM OBSTACLES THAN I ACTUALLY WAS AS I APPROACHED THEM. IT WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY OBVIOUS THAT THE VIDEO FRAME HAD FROZEN, AND THAT UPDATED VIDEO INFORMATION WAS NOT BEING PRESENTED. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE VIDEO DISPLAY IT WAS NOT SHOWING ME THE ACTUAL REAL-TIME SITUATION, IT WAS SHOWING ME A VIDEO FRAME FROM SEVERAL SECONDS PREVIOUS. THE VIDEO FROZE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, BUT I'M UNSURE OF WHEN IT ACTUALLY STARTED TO FREEZE AS I WAS ALSO MONITORING MY FORWARD VIEW, SO WHEN I LOOKED DOWN AT THE MONITOR IT WASN'T ACCURATE. I STOPPED MOTION FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AND THE VIDEO STARTED UPDATING. I FOUND MYSELF (MY CAR) MUCH CLOSER TO NEARBY CARS THAN I HAD INTENDED. A PEDESTRIAN WANDERING IN THE PATH OF MY VEHICLE WOULD SURELY HAVE BEEN HIT.
Visibility, Structure, Jan 29, 2015
REAR WINDOW SHATTERED OVERNIGHT FOR NO REASON. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jan 27, 2015, crash
DRIVER WAS IN MIDDLE LANE DRIVING AROUND 55 MPH. FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CAR BEGAN FLIPPING WHILE STILL IN THE ROADWAY, EVENTUALLY HIT A GUARD RAIL AND CONTINUED FLIPPING. DRIVER WAS EJECTED AND KILLED. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED...UPDATED 11/13/15 *BF .....UPDATED 12/23/15 *BF UPDATED 1/11/2015*JS UPDATED 9/17/2017*CN
Visibility, Nov 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER CLOSING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR, A LOUD ABNORMAL EXPLOSION NOISE EMITTED FROM THE BACK SEAT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED AND GLASS SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108.