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.
Air bags, Aug 19, 2020
AIR BAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT..
Steering, Aug 19, 2020
THE CAR STOPS - ANYWHERE - AND WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT IT RESUMES.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Aug 18, 2020
PRIOR TO THE ENGINE INCIDENT I WAS EXPERIENCING THE LIGHTS FLICKERING , POWER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONS. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 6/21/2020(FATHER'S DAY MORNING). I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE STORE WHEN MY CARS ENGINE SEIZED SUDDENLY. I RECENTLY HAD MY OIL CHANGED IN 4/03/2020. NO PROBLEMS REPORTED AT THE OIL CHANGE APPOINTMENT. SO THE MORNING OF 6/21/2020. I STARTED THE CAR AND PROCEEDED TO LEAVE MY BOYFRIENDS HOUSE. AS SOON AS I MADE THE LEFT TURN OUT INTO THE STREET I HEARD THIS KNOCKING IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR I'M ASSUMING THAT WAS THE ENGINE THEN SUDDENLY ! THE CAR MADE THIS LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND I IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AS SOON AS I MADE THE LEFT HAND TURN INTO THE STREET THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AS IF THE CAR WAS ABOUT TO CATCH FIRE ! THANK GOD ME AND MY BOYFRIEND WERE ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE STREET INTO A PARKING LOT IN NUETRAL. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TOWED TO A SHOP USING MY INSURANCE AND I HAD TO LEAVE IT AT THE SHOP OVERNIGHT IN THEIR PARKING LOT BECAUSE THEY WERE CLOSED FOR FATHER'S DAY. THE NEXT DAY I GET A CALL FROM THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THEY TRIED TO JUMPSTART IT, THE CHECKED THE BATTERY, OIL LEVEL, AND THEY SAID THE REASON FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS NOT OIL RELATED THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I HAD TO GO AND AND LOOK FOR AN ENGINE TO REPLACE THE FAILED ENGINE. IT COSTS ME ALOOOOOOT OF MONEY ! I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS. I GOT IT AT A DEALERSHIP BUT MY WARRANTY EXPIRED SO I WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IT THROUGH THE WARRANTY. THE CAR JUST HIT 87,000 MILES ! I GOT THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP AT 54,000 MILES. I DO NOT DRIVE LONG DISTANCES, I KEEP UP WITH ALL THE MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR AND MY ENGINE SUDDENLY FAILED ! HELP !! THIS PROBLEM IS TOO COMMON AMONGST THE KIA FORTES. I HAVE A 2015 KIA FORTE5.
Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2020
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MY ANTENNA SHARK FIN BROKE OFF AND WENT FLYING. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME BECAUSE THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ISSUE HAD IT HIT SOMEONE OR THEIR WINDSHIELD! I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND THE PART THAT FELL OFF.
Exterior lighting, Aug 14, 2020
ALL OF THE HEADLAMPS / ALL TAIL/PARK/MARKER / ALL I/P ILLUMINATION LAMPS GOES OUT WHEN TURNING ON THE TURN SIGNALS WHILE DRIVING & SIGNALING FOR AN UPCOMING TURN. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY & IS WORSENING WITH BY THE DAY. THE LAMPS USUALLY RETURN TO NORMAL WITHIN A SECOND OR TWO.
Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2020, fire
RANDOMLY BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEY CAR HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND NORMAL MAINTENANCE DONE TO IT.
Engine, Jul 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIA OF ST. CLOUD (901 2ND ST S, WAITE PARK, MN 56387) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THE DEALER'S ASSESSMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Air bags, Structure, Jul 26, 2020, crash
I WAS DRIVING ON A GRAVEL ROAD A LITTLE TO FAST AND MY CAR STARTED TO SLIDE FROM SIDE TO SIDE I TRIED TO GAIN CONTROL BUT COULDN'T AND ENDED UP HITTING A METAL BRIDGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THEY SHOULD HAVE. MY WHOLE FRONT RIGHT IN IS DAMAGED AND THE SPEED I WAS GOING THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE WENT OFF!.
Engine, Jul 17, 2020, fire
AT 64,000 MILES ENGINE STARTING MAKING KNOCKING SOUND. CALLED DEALER....IN ROUTE TO DEALER THE ENGINE BLEW UP. TOWED TO DEALER...KIA WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY.
Engine, Jun 4, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NAPLETON'S MID RIVERS KIA LOCATED AT 4955 VETERANS MEMORIAL PKWY, ST PETERS, MO 63376, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 2, 2020
THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. CAR HAS BEEN CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO OIL PRESSURE GETTING TO THE ENGINE. MECHANIC REPLACED THE OIL PRESSURE VALVE AND IT IS STILL SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IN LOWER SPEEDS/STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 1, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION WOULD SOMETIMES SHOCK THEM AND SMELL AS IF THERE WAS A BURNING/SMOKING ODOR EMITTING FROM THE STARTER. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NOW FAILS TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER (CAR CONNECTION INC ADDRESS: 4425 DIXIE HWY, FAIRFIELD, OH 45014 PHONE: (513) 829-8022) WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY AND DID NOT IDENTIFY A FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURES PERSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,508.
Seat belts, May 28, 2020
MY SEATBELT WOULD STICK, I WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING IT TO GO IN AND PULL OUT. EVENTUALLY IT JUST STOPPED ALL TOGETHER. SO NOW MY DRIVER SEAT IS UNABLE TO WEAR A SEATBELT BECAUSE IT WILL NOT GO IN AT ALL. IT HAPPENS WHILE BOTH IN MOTION OR WHILE SITTING. IT STARTED MESSING UP ABOUT 70,000 MILES, NOW I'M ON 76,458 AND UNABLE TO USE MY SEATBELTS WHICH IS A HAZARD AND AGAINST THE LAW. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2020
WHEN I TURN THE CAR KEY TO THE 1ST POSITION ( BEFORE THE CAR START ON) I HEAR A NOISE ( LIKE A BOILING WATER) COMING FROM A DASH BOARD. I TOOK MY CAR TO OLATHE KIA, KS THEY CAN NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I AM SEEKING SOLUTION FROM KIA ORGANISATION.
Engine, Mar 30, 2020
ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR STARTED MAKING LOUD CLANKING SOUND WHEN DRIVING. COULD NOT ACCELERATE. CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. TOWED CAR TO KIA DEALER AND TECH SAID HE CAN NOT FIND A REASON FOR THE PROBLEM BUT THE INTERNAL PART OF THE ENGINE FAILED
Engine, Mar 12, 2020
THE CAR KEEPS CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC AT FIRST THAT IT WAS THE OIL PUMP. GOT IT IN THE SHOP AND THEY SAID AFTER INSPECTION THAT THE OIL PUMP IS WORKING FINE, BUT IS ONLY PUSHING 1 PSI OF PRESSURE INTO THE ENGINE. THEY SAID THE ENGINE IS SHOT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT CUTS OFF WHEN WE ARE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC.
Engine, Mar 12, 2020
MY ENGINE IS MAKING TERRIBLE NOISES, IT IS FULL OF OIL, REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PRFORMED, OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CONTINIES TO COME ON AND NOE CAR HAS STARTED DIEING AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE
Engine, Feb 24, 2020
I'VE HAD MY CAR MAINTENANCE DONE REGULARLY. IT ONLY HAS 72K MILES ON IT. I'VE ONLY USED SYNTHETIC OIL. MY CAR STARTED MAKING A TICKING SOUND. AND HAS STALLED OUT ON MY 1 TIME. I TOOK IT FOR ITS ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. (NOTICED THE OIL WAS DIRTY, VERY DIRTY AND IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THAT BAD) AFTER THE OIL WAS CHANGED, THE TICKING KEPT GETTING LOUDER. BROUGHT IT TO A SHOP. HE TOLD ME DEF INTERNAL. COULD BE A CAM, A CRANK OR SOMETHING ELSE. JUST FOUND OUT TOO THAT WITH OIL CHANGES, DO NOT USE EITH FRAM OR AFTERMARKET FILTERS. I'VE ONLY EVER HAD PLACES USE THE FRAM FILTERS. THERE IS A BLACK FILTER THAT SHOULD BE USED BECAUSE THE OTHERS JUST BLOW OUT FROM THE OIL PRESSURE. THAT WOULD'VE BEEN GOOD TO KNOW.
Electrical system, Feb 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE LIGHTS FLICKERED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY STATING THAT THE FAILURE HAPPENED WHETHER ON A MAIN ROAD OR THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT WAS LEFT STRANDED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAS CAUSED MENTAL AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHWEST KIA-DALLAS LOCATED AT 39650 LYNDON B JOHNSON FREEWAY, DALLAS, TX 75237, (972) 283-9797, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GROUND TERMINAL AND SEVERAL OTHER WIRING HARNESSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Jan 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE TPMS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER AN OIL CHANGE THE LIGHTS WENT OFF AND THEN RETURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CAPITAL KIA DEALER, LOCATED AT 2950 MORSE RD, COLUMBUS, OH 43231, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,698.
Engine, Jan 6, 2020, crash
MY FOSTER DAUGHTER BOUGHT A 2015 KIA FORTE 5 MONTHS AGO. THE CAR WAS FULLY SERVICED AT THE TIME SHE BOUGHT THE CAR. THE ENGINE SIMPLY FAILED ON THE FREEWAY ON DEC 8TH. OTHER CARS WERE ZIPPING BY AND ONE CAR EVEN SIDE SWIPED HER... IT WAS SCARY AND VERY DANGEROUS. MY MECHANIC REPORTED ENGINE FAILURE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMERS SERVICE AND THEY SAID I NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A KIA DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. $300 LATER, THE KIA MECHANIC REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT IT WOULD COST $10,000 TO GET FIXED. KIA OFFERED US $500 TOWARDS THE REPAIR. THOUSANDS OF OTHER KIA ENGINES HAVE BEEN RECALLED. PLEASE HOLD KIA RESPONSIBLE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT!
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO O'LATHE KIA (130 N. FIR ST, O'LATHE, KS) WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A REPRESENTATIVE WAS SENT TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,600.
Seat belts, Nov 15, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKING MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE LOCK COULD NOT BE IMMEDIATELY UNLOCKED WHEN PRESSING THE BUTTON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RIO KIA (925 BARTOW RD, LAKELAND, FL), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Power train, Engine, Oct 13, 2019
I HAVE HAD A 2015 KIA FORTE WITH THE GDI ENGINE IN IT. I HAVE BEEN PAYING ON IT FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW. I WENT TO THE STORE LAST NIGHT AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AFTER I GOT OUT OF THE STORE I HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. COME TO FIND OUT THERE WAS NO OIL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE IT SERVICED REGULARLY. WAS RUNNING FINE, NO INDICATOR LIGHTS. WENT UP THE ROAD YESTURDAY IT WAS MAKING LOUD CLACKING NOISE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. CALLED MY DAUGHTER AND SHE CAME TO THE LOCATION AND SAID I HAD NO OIL! EVEN THOUGH I JUST HAD IT CHANGED. WE PUT 4 QTS IN AND HAD IT TOWED HOME. PLZ HELP!!! WE HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS STILL UNDER FINANCING!! I'M A DISABLED WIDOW WITH NO VEHICLE NOW!
Air bags, Oct 4, 2019, crash
I WAS TRAVELING ON NORTH CARSON I WAS AT A CAUTION LIGHT TRYING TO TURN LEFT WHEN A TAHOE REAR ENDED ME. MY CAR TURNED OUT OF CONTROL AND MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T NOT WORK.