2017 Kia Forte
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 302 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 16 Forte model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 23 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 21 people were injured and 4 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bagsJan 25, 2022
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
Campaign 22V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, trunk lid, latchAug 9, 2021
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
Campaign 21V622000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, oil/lubrication, pumpApr 13, 2021
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.
Campaign 21V260000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
18 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, May 24, 2026
Kia has common problems on the airbags even tho my air bags is good but I want to still check it
Air bags, Engine, Nov 22, 2025
There are 3 recalls on my engine type but kia dealership says no recalls,#21V6220000,#22V031000,#21V260000. ENGINE TYOE 2.0L NU MPI ENGINE(SC210),MY ph#XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2025, crash
-Airbags did not deploy. -The car is available for inspection. -The driver was put at significant risk after the vehicle accidentally slid on ice while navigating a sharp curve, causing it to veer off the road and crash into trees. The impact resulted in the car being totaled from the front bumper to the back. Despite the severity of the crash, the airbags failed to deploy, making the driver's seatbelt the only factor that ultimately saved his life. -Insurance agent still needs to look at the car. Police office was present, along with tow driver. -No warnings
Air bags, Sep 20, 2024
Once coming home, my airbag from steering wheel deployed. I did not get into an accident, just as i closed my door it went off. I worried about my safety especially because i have a baby. Any airbag could’ve gone off for no reason. I don’t feel safe in my car. After taking it to Viva Kia here in El Paso, they did not offer any inspections just a number to call. I was scared when they sent me off in a car like that with no diagnostics done. No lights were on prior to this incident so I definitely was not warned about it.
Air bags, Aug 13, 2024
Error code B1620 is registering on my 2017 KIA Forte. The current recall for this issue only covers some 2017 KIA Forte vehicles.
Air bags, Mar 1, 2024, crash
Hello, my name is [XXX] , i just had a 2017 kia forte car accident on [XXX]. I was hit by the driver's side in my door and in the door behind me. the airbag are supposed to be released upon impact. The would have to open because i was going over 25 miles per hour the airbags supposedly release when you go over 25 miles this caused me to break my wrist of my left hand I hit my knees and hurt my face this caused my injuries the malfunction of the airbags conclusion that the car was a total loss i need you to answer for my damages to me because as a consumer i have the right to complain I am waiting for a formal response thank you very much INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Air bags, Dec 9, 2023, crash
The airbags did not deploy when a large jeep turned into the driver side door.
Air bags, Mar 13, 2023
I have a 2017 kia forte that I believe was made in Mexico (12/16) in December of 2016. I have an airbag fault illuminated. I used a scan tool to read the fault. Its 10 faults including DTC B1620, the airbag SRSCM is not communicating. I made an appointment at local KIA dealer for recall. I downloaded the SC226 RECALL. The recall affects a production range for 2017-2018 MY Forte from March 2, 2017 to July 27, 2018. My kia was manufactured 3 months before and has the same defect. I used the NHTSA website to search the VIN and returned the same results. I want to register a complaint that there are more affected vehicles than covered by this recall. I am sure that if the NHTSA were to collect data on vehicles being repaired for this identical defect would find that a greater number of vehicles were affected and many may be operating unsafely without repair.
Air bags, Apr 16, 2021, crash
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN VEHICLE CRASH AT ABOVE 30 MPH
Air bags, Mar 12, 2021, crash
ON 3/9/2021 I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT AND MY KIA WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT WAS HIT SO HARD THAT THE IT LEFT A HOLE IN THE DOOR AND MY TODDLER WAS SITTING IN HIS CAR SEAT. WHEN THE FORE DEPT ARRIVED THEY NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. I WAS ADVISED THAT MY AIR BAGS SHOULD'VE DEPLOYED. I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 35 MILES AND HOUR WHEN I WAS HIT.*DT*DT*JB*JB
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Jun 8, 2020, crash
THE 2017 KIA FORTE MY CLIENT WAS DRIVING WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN MODERATE TO HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE, APPROXIMATE SPEED OF IMPACT WAS 20-25MPH, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 30, 2019, crash
INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE ANOTHER DRIVER FAILED TO YIELD AND CAUSED THE IMPACT ON 3 LANE ROAD GOING AT ABOUT 40MPH. AT THE POINT OF IMPACT, I WAS THROWN INTO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEATBELT LOCK TO KEEP ME FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. MINOR INJURIES SUSTAINED BECAUSE OF LACK OF PROTECTION. THE POLICE OFFICER ON SCENE NOTED THAT NEITHER SAFETY DEVICE WORKED IN MY VEHICLE. THE OFFICER EXAMINED THE BELT. BASED ON THE FACT MY CHEST WAS HIT BY THE STEERING WHEEL THE OFFICER IMMEDIATELY ASSUMED I WAS NOT WEARING A BELT AND ASKED ABOUT IT, BUT I HAD TO CORRECT THE OFFICER'S ASSUMPTION, INDICATING THAT I WAS WEARING MY BELT AND REPORTED TO THE OFFICER THAT THE BELT DID NOT LOCK. THE OFFICER ASKED ABOUT MY SPEED AND I REPORTED THAT MY SPEED WAS BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MILES PER HOUR. THE OFFICER OBSERVED THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND NOTED THIS AS WELL. THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AT TIME OF REPAIR BUT NO INDICATION OF A FAULTY AIRBAG OR SEATBELT OTHER THAN NOTING PRODUCT LIABILITY AND TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER.
Air bags, Jun 24, 2019, crash
HAD FRONT END COLLISON NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT,CAR WAS TOTALED
Steering, Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 25, 2019, crash
ACCELERATING BETWEEN 35MPH AND 45MPH, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DRIVER LET OFF GAS AND ATTEMPTED BRAKES WHICH DID NOT ENGAGE. VEHICLE STRUCK GUARDRAIL ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE THEN DID A 180, DRIVER SIDE DOOR THEN COLLIDED WITH THE GUARDRAIL. DRIVER SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES INCLUDING WHIPLASH AND HEAD INJURY. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING DOWN A 2 LANE CITY ROAD. VEHICLE HAD 46,000 MILES AND WAS JUST SERVICED BY KIA DEALER.
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 19, 2018, crash
VEHICLE WAS IN A MAJOR CRASH ON ILLINOIS ROUTE 15 IN BELLEVILLE IL. VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OFF CENTER BY A WRONG WAY DRIVER. PASSENGER IN THE KIA WAS TRAPPED UNDER THE DASH. PASSENGER WAS WEARING SEAT BELT AND IT APPEARS THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. PASSENGER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSAGER WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEAT BELT. DRIVER SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES TO HIS HEAD FROM IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. SUBJECTS SEAT BELT BROKE AND RIPPED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS WELL. SUBJECT WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. IMAGES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT BELLEVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT.*DT*JB
Air bags, Apr 10, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND SORENESS TO THE BODY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC'S TOW YARD. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,669. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 19, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO A COLLISION SHOP. IT WAS NOT YET DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR PAIN AND BRUISING, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 28, 2017, crash
I WAS PARKING MY CAR YESTERDAY AT 7/11 AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT PILLAR. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE SEEN A BLOG WHERE DOZENS OF FORTE OWNERS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, SOMETIMES MORE THAN ONCE. I WAS INJURED AND THE CAR NEEDS $9000 IN REPAIRS, ALSO I AM SURE MY INSURANCE WILL INCREASE.