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: electrical system
46 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Dec 1, 2020
THE AUTOMATIC TRUNK LATCH WILL NO LONGER WORKS , SO THE TRUNK OF MY CAR IS OPENED. THE BUTTON ON THE KEY PAD WORKS FINE BUT THE LATCH WILL NOT LOCK . MY CAR WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY APARTMENT COMPLEX.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 17, 2020
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND GO OUT COMPLETELY. I HAVE TO FLIP THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH OR TAP THE COLUMN TO GET THEM TO TURN BACK ON . IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES ON MY 32 MILE TRIP HOME FROM WORK AT NIGHT . IT HAPPENS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. MAINLY WHEN I USE A TURN SIGNAL OR HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD .
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2020, fire
MY CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE LIKE IT ALWAYS IS. WENT FOR A WALK AND WHEN I CAME BACK, MY CAR HAD BEEN ON FIRE. AFTER FIRE DEPARTMENT DID THEIR INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DEEMED ELECTRICAL. THE LIGHT IN MY VISOR OR THE WIRING TO IT HAD GONE WRONG. MY WHOLE FRONT OF THE SEATS IS TOTALED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Feb 20, 2020
WHEN I BRAKE, THE BRAKING LIGHTS DON'T TURN ON. I HAVE CHECKED THE FUSES AND THE LIGHTS BULBS AND THEY ARE FINE. YET WHEN I BRAKE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T TURN ON.
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2020
THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND IT WOULD START INTERMITTENLY. SOMETIMES IT WOULD START WITH NO PROBLEM BUT SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. I TURN THE IGNITION KEY AND I COULD BARELY HEAR CLICKING SOUND AND NOTHING. I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN AND WHERE I WILL BE STRANDED IF THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE LITTLE OVER 80000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND DEALER SAID THIS IS NOT COVER UNDER 100000 MILE WARRANTY. I THINK MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THIS HAS TO BE A RECALL ISSUE.
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2020
3 WEEKS AGO MY VEHICLE WENT THROUGH ITS ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION HERE IN MASSACHUSETTS AND IT FAILED. THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH MY REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WHICH WERE NOT WORKING. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WAS BURNED OUT DUE TO WATER GETTING INTO THE LINES. HE INDICATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD PROBABLY BE COVERED UNDER KIA'S 10 YEAR WARRANTY. I PLAN TO REACH OUT TO MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM INVESTIGATE, AND HOPEFULLY REPAIR THIS DEFECT ON THEIR DIME. ANY INPUT OR RELATED ISSUES BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION WOULD BE APPRECIATED AS WELL AS IF YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS ISSUED A RECALL ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 13, 2019
WHILE DRIVING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN INCREASED VIBRATION. THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF WHEN COASTING AND TURN BACK ON WHEN ACCELERATING. BY THE TIME I GOT HOME THE VIBRATIONS CONTINUED EVEN WHEN IN PARK AS WELL AS NOT ACCELERAING. ENGINE CODE P0303 WAS READ FROM THE ENGINE LIGHT. I HAVE NOW REPLACED THE SECOND COIL PACK ON A CYLINDER IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURES STARTING ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE VEHICLE COULD TAKE UP TO THIRTY MINUTES TO FINALLY CRANK UP AND START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST YEAR. WEST BROAD KIA (9001 W BROAD ST, RICHMOND, VA 23294, 804-270-9000) WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE IF THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2019
IN THE LAST 1 1/2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH LIGHTS GOING OUT. FIRST BOTH BREAK LIGHTS WENT OUT AND I REPLACED THEM. THEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT KEPT GOING IN AND OUT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE BREAK LIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN SO I REPLACED IT AGAIN. NEXT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT COMPLETELY AND I REPLACED IT. AFTER THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE FINE. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT STARTED GOING IN AND OUT AGAIN. I REPLACED IT AND IT WAS FINE. THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE BREAK LIGHT WENT OUT. 7 WEEKS AFTER I HAD BOTH HEADLIGHTS REPLACED AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. 4 DAYS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 2, 2019
HAS GONE THROUGH 5 SETS OF HEADLAMPS IN THE FIRST YEAR AND A HALF OF CARS LIFE. USUALLY A ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL OCCURS WHEN BULBS BURN OUT. HAVE ASKED DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH EVERY OIL CHANGE ONLY TO GET CONFUSED LOOKS OR INSURED EXCUSES. ONLY SEEMS TO EFFECT THE FRONT HEADLAMPS AND LED LIGHTS STILL ON ORIGINAL FACTORY REAR LAMPS. HAVE LEFT 6 MESSAGES WITH DEALERSHIP AFTER LAST INCIDENT WITH NO CALL BACK.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 22, 2019
- LOW MILES AND STILL UNDER ALL MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTIES. - ENGINE WILL IDLE ROUGH, VIBRATING THE WHOLE CAR WHILE STATIONARY. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE. - ENGINE ACCELERATION IS POOR FROM STANDING, DANGEROUS IN CITY TRAFFIC. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE. - ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE TURNING LEFT IN LOS ANGELES CITY TRAFFIC, CAR IS COMPLETELY WITHOUT POWER. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN CITY TRAFFIC. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM. INSTEAD, DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL. BS. THERE ARE NO OIL DRIPS IN MY PARKING SPACE. ANOTHER MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT LEAKING OIL. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY 'WILL WORK WITH ME'. MEANING THEY WILL LET ME PAY FOR EACH VISIT BUT THEY WILL NOT HONOR THEIR DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY. ENGINE BURNS OIL. ENGINE BURNS OIL. A NEW CAR SHOULD NOT BURN OIL. - ENGINE WILL SOUND LIKE A SEWING MACHINE WHEN DRIVING FROM STANDING AND TURNING THE WHEEL. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM. (THIS WAS LIKELY DUE TO ENGINE BURNING OIL, OIL LOW; AFTER REFILLING OIL, ENGINE WILL NOT MAKE THIS SOUND.) - I NOW MUST CHECK MY OIL LEVEL AT ALL TIMES BEFORE DRIVING AND REFILL OIL TO FULL MARK ON OIL DIP STICK. HATE KIA. - CAR CABIN IS TOO HOT TO DRIVE IN. METAL ECU AT BOTTOM OF STEERING COLUMN INSIDE CABIN IS 180 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HATE KIA.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 13, 2019
IN AUGUST 2018, MY SON STARTED THE CAR AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NOT OPERATIONAL AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE LIT. CAR STILL DRIVES. (SEE PIC). IN NOVEMBER 2018, WE TOOK THE CAR TO KIA. AFTER 2-3 DAYS, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE, AND SAID TO BRING IT IN WHEN IT OCCURS. UNFORTUNATELY, IT ALWAYS OCCURS AFTER HIS PRACTICE (@6PM), HOTTEST TIME IN S. TEXAS AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS CLOSED. FROM 31MAY-7JUN2019, MY SON SENT ME VIDEOS OF IT HAPPENING (5 DIFFERENT DAYS). SUMMARY: PROBLEM OCCURS DURING HOT DAYS AT START UP (TURNING CAR OFF/ON WILL NOT RESET), VEHICLE WILL OPERATE BUT WITHOUT INSTRUMENTATION, AND IT EVENTUALLY RESETS ITSELF WHEN HE STARTS IT UP AFTER WORK OR THE NEXT DAY. DURING ONE EPISODE IN JUNE, HE HEADED TO KIA; DURING THE DRIVE THE DOOR LOCKS STARTED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING AND HE HEARD CLICKING NOISES. WHEN ALL THIS STOPPED, THE TACHOMETER STARTED WORKING BUT THE WARNING LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS STILL INOP. HE PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, (TO INSPECT IT) AND WHEN HE STARTED THE CAR AGAIN EVERYTHING WORKED. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ON OR ABOUT JULY 2017. LESS THAN 2-YEARS OLD AND UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS DROPPED OFF ON 10JUNE2019 AND AS OF TODAY 13JUN2019, THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. CONCERNS: PROBLEM IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT, THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT UNTIL IT CAN BE REPLICATED, THEY WILL NOT OFFER A LOANER OR RENTAL; NOR CAN THEY TELL ME IF THE PROBLEM AFFECTS OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR, OR IF IT IS SAFE TO OPERATE DURING THESE EPISODES. IN ADDITION, MY SON HEADS TO COLLEGE (250M AWAY) ON 13AUG2019. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT WORLD CAR KIA, NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS.
Electrical system, May 2, 2019
THE FINGER PRESS FAILS TO START WHEN PARKED IN HOT SUN. IT WILL THEN START WITH PRESSING THE KEY ON BUTTON- THEN A NOTICE APPEARS THAT THE KEY IS NOT PRESENT. BUT, CAR THEN RUNS FINE. WHEN I STOP ENGINE A NOTICE SAYS THE KEY BATTERY IS WEAK (BATTERY WAS REPLACED 4 DAYS AGO). LAST YEAR THIS HAPPENED AND SHOP FOUND AN INTERNAL SHORT IN THE SMART KEY ANTENNA. IT DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN THEN TILL ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS AGO.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 19, 2019
KIA FORTE DRIVERSIDE FRONT HEAD LIGHT ON LOW BEAMS WILL NOT COME ON. DEALER STATES PART IS ON BACK ORDER WHEN HAVING OIL CHANGE DONE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. IN THREE WEEKS WILL NEED CAR TO DRIVE POSSIBLE AT NIGHT TO CHILD COLLEGE GRADUATION THROUGH MOUNTAINS. DO NOT KNOW IF OTHER HEAD LAMP WILL MALFUNCTION AND STOP WORKING. THE DRIVERSIDE WAS GOING AND OUT NOW STAYS OFF. VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2019
IGNITIONS COIL SPRINGS PART KIA 27303 2E601QQK WAS REPLACED BY KIA DELALER AS PART OF A RECALL ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. WHEN I ARRIVED , SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT I WAS THERE FOR OIL CHANGE AND TWO RECALLS. I SET APPT. FOR OIL CHANGE, WAS UNAWARE OF RECALL TILL DEALERSHIP SERVICE ADVISOR MENTIONED. WHEN I CHECKED WITH NHTSA NO RECALL IS LISTED. KIA NEVER SENT LETTER REQUESTING WE BRING IN CAR FOR RECALL PARTS. IN ADDITION THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO 2ND PART REPLACEMENT DUE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. YDM REAR COMBINATION LAMP.
Electrical system, Feb 22, 2019
MY BATTERY HAS FAILED TO START MY CAR TWICE IN A MONTH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER; THEY RAN IT THROUGH THE COMPUTER; THE BATTERY CAME BACK 'FUNCTIONAL'. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AT ALL LAST YEAR! THEIR REMEDY WAS TO DRIVE MORE OR INSTALL A 'TRICKLE CHARGER' ON THE BATTERY. (THIS CAR IS A LEASE; I HAVE HAD IT FOR 1.5 YEARS--PUTTING 3,600 MILES ON IT.) I HAD MY PREVIOUS CAR FOR TWENTY YEARS WITHOUT EVER HAVING THIS KIND OF ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING VERY LOW MILES FOR YEARS WITHOUT A BATTERY ISSUE. THOUGHTS?
Electrical system, Sep 5, 2018
ON MARCH 1, VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 10 MIN ON A COLD DAY AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A FEW HOURS AND 'ENGINE OVEHEATED' CAME UP ON THE DISPLAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE FOLLOWING DAY TO CABLE DAHMER KIA WHERE THEY SAID THE CAUSE WAS AN ELECTRICAL GLITCH AND THAT THE CAR WAS FINE. ON AUGUST 3RD, I CONTACTED CABLE DAHMER KIA BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IDLING EXTREMELY LOW/STALLING. DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A LOANER CAR BUT THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW WHEN ONE BECAUSE AVAILABLE. WAS DRIVING ON AUGUST 7TH WHEN CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF WHILE GOING 45MPH DOWN THE ROAD. ALL FUNCTIONALITY WAS LOST. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ROADSIDE WAS DISPATCHED. DEALER PROVIDED LOANER AND HAD THE CAR UNTIL AUGUST 23RD. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CONCERN AND CORPORATE ASKED THAT I PICK THE VEHICLE UP. CORPORATE STATED TO ME THAT CAR WAS FUNCTIONAL AND I DID NOT HAVE A LEGITIMATE CONCERN, EVEN WITH MY VIDEO PROOF OF THE ISSUE. SEPTEMBER 4TH ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND HAD VIDEO FOOTAGE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT CORPORATE UNWILLING TO EXCHANGE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2018, crash
THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMED THE LIENHOLDER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS POSSIBLY A TOTAL LOSS AND THE LIENHOLDER IGNORED THEM AND SOLD THE VEHICLE TO A PUBLIC AUCTION WITHOUT CONTACTING THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR TO PAY ON THE VEHICLE EITHER. THE OWNER OF THE CAR WAS INJURED IN THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION AS WELL AS A PASSENGER AND THE LIENHOLDER IS AWARE AND STILL SOLD WITHOUT PROPER NOTICE AND THEY CHANGED THE LOCKS OF THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE INSURANCE COMPANY FROM DOING A PROPER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY AND SHAKES AT 30 MILES AT AN IN LESS THAN 10 MINS. THE VEHICLE ALSO OPERATES ON ITS OWN. THE LIENHOLDER HAD BEEN AWARE OF THE ISSUE SINCE APRIL 2018. LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 18, 2018
MY CAR THE GAS SHOOTS OUT ,I HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THIS WITH A NEW CAR MY ENGINE LIGHT BEEN ON FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT IT THIS CAR GAVE ME PROBLEMS EVERY TIME I BRING IT BACK THEY SAID JUST DROP IT OFF SO WE CAN TRY FIXING IT IT TAKE UP TO THREE DAYS ARE MORE PLUS THEY DON'T GIVE OUT LOANER CAR AT ALL SO HOW I SUPPOSE TO GET TO WORK SO I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT LIKE THAT.I DON'T KNOW WHY I BROUGHT THIS CAR. IT WASTED MY MONEY AND TIME.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 9, 2018
THE AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) AND FORWARD COLLISION WARNING (FCW) SYSTEMS ON MY VEHICLE NEVER ACTIVATE WHEN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS ARE OBVIOUS FOR THE AEB AND FCW TO ACTIVATE. EVEN HOME-SPUN SYSTEM TESTS DON'T SHOW THE SYSTEMS TO BE OPERATIONAL. THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND REPAIR CENTER CANNOT VALIDATE THE SYSTEM'S INTEGRITY BECAUSE THEY CANNOT ACCOMPLISH DEFINITIVE TESTS TO VERIFY THE SYSTEM. THEY SAY "WE DON'T KNOW." THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MUST BE RESOLVED. THIS ISSUE IS ONGOING.
Electrical system, May 15, 2017
VOLUME BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL VOLUME UP TURNS VOLUME DOWN, MUTE BUTTON TURNS VOLUME UP.