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: fuel/propulsion system
29 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 28, 2025, fire
My vehicle caught fire while driving also before fire vehicle started popping and stuttering rattling sound. I was on highway.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 1, 2025
About September 6th I was driving my vehicle. It is a blue Kia forte 2017. I just had cleaned it at a local car wash. Prior to this 1-2 weeks before my ac had just started to blow hot air. So I recharged it with some recharge that I purchased a recharge can and my buddy Scott helped me put it into my low pressure air conditioning valve area. Soon after like I said when I was leaving a car wash. And I drove down to a gas station and as I start braking my car started running a lot slower. Then finally it almost halted and all the dash lights all illuminated everywhere. And I had to turn the wheel super slow as I approached the left turn into the gas station. And then I noticed my car had shut off completely. I screamed to the men that were at a gas pump feet away to help me push the car into the station. They finally ran over and pushed it into the station. Soon after we attempted with one car, and one truck we tried to jump start my car with the batteries. It didn’t start or turn the engine over fully either few times we attempted jumping it. I finally called it quits and took a ride home. The next day my buddy tried to “ fix it “ he said it didn’t really work as properly and the battery isn’t probably the problem. He said it might be the ac compressor due to my air going out weeks before. But he was afraid to tell me it wasn’t gonna be a cheap or easy fix. He suggested I go to a mechanic. Months prior I received a few notices in the mail that stated my name and my vehicle info. I never really paid them any mind until now but I am thinking I should open them soon. I’m assuming that this info would be in there about a recall. I hope that this will be a substantial amount of evidence for my recall. The websites I reviewed and researched say the there’s a lawsuit and recalls involving my Kia forte 2017 as well. But the vin didn’t match it up fully? So I’m not completely sure why. But I am sure it only had 96k miles. Which was below the Kia 100k mile warranty too? Thanks
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 23, 2025
There is high oil consumption in my catalytic converter due to a failed oil pump or piston ring. I've just got this car in march haven't even put 10,000 miles on it. Kept up with maintenance oil changes. And currently undrivable.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 26, 2025
I purchased a 2017 Kia Forte from a used car dealer. Two weeks after I picked up the car, the car stalled at intersections. I checked it out at a Midas and they found that oil was not getting to the engine and it needed a new engine. I towed it back to the dealer because it was within the Lemon law, under 75,000 miles. He said he fixed it, and replaced the engine, but after I picked it up, the same thing happened. I towed it back again and printed a list of mechanical things to check that was online. The second time, he said they cleaned the engine. I am concerned that there is a serious problem with the car and it is not safe to drive. I would have to restart the car and it would stall again. I have not picked up the car a third time again.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 26, 2024
I keep taking my call to the Kia dealership they say my oils is burning and could mess up my engine. They say it’s a recall for issue like this for 2017 Kia forte and I don’t understand why my car is not in that recall if the recalls is the same thing that’s happening to my car
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 1, 2024
Starting around 50k mileage, the engine experienced misfire-like issues: rough idling & transitory reduction of power during acceleration and cruising. This was brought to the dealership multiple times, but the check engine light had never come on, nor were there any error codes saved in the OBD system. After 60k mileage, the check engine light did come on temporarily, but would automatically clear, still without any error codes saved in OBD. Around 65k mileage, the vehicle could not accelerate to highway speeds, so I had it towed to the dealer and refused to take it back until they found the issue. They then observed an error saved in OBD showing a misfire on cylinder 3. Replaced all spark plugs + coil packs, which seems to have corrected the problem. After 70k mileage, I observed that the engine burns oil, about 1 quart per 3k miles. This rate has stayed consistent up to the current 100k mileage.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 30, 2023
I take my car to kia dealership for my oil changes.they put the $45.00 oil,not sure if conventional or semi.apprx.4mos ago they told me kia no longer use the $45.00 oil so needed to upgrade to full synthetic oil.so i did,approx 2mos after,engine light came on flasing.with the oil light flashing aswell.i needed to add 4quarts.from that day foward the car does not have power.no more than 60mph.ps.added another 2 quarts adout 3weeks ago
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 27, 2023
1. The knock sensor failed. As a consequence the vehicle will not run properly. 2. The vehicle has been at Fred Beans KIA of Langhorne for several weeks. I assume that it is available for inspection. 3. The vehicle will not run properly. It will not accelerate when the gas pedal is pressed and the engine often stops running. Very dangerous on highways and heavily traveled roadways. 4. Yes the problem has been confirmed by Ciocca KIA of Trenton, NJ. Frank's Service Center 645 Knowles Ave., South Hampton, PA 18966 and Fred Beans KIA of Langhorne, PA 19047. 5. Yes. See attached report. 6. Yes there was an engine warning light and a message on the screen.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 5, 2023
I purchased this vehicle second hand at 43k miles. The issue began around 50k miles and would rough idle when coming to a stop and a check engine light appeared. At 55k miles it was taken to a Kia dealership where they were unable to diagnose the issue. They ran a diagnostic and found nothing. Shorty after, the issue persisted. I took it back to the Kia dealership where they were able to run another diagnostic on the check engine light, and they told me it was the spark plugs. I did not believe this as my father has been a technician for over 40 years and said that the issue seems to be an ignition coil issue. I never took the vehicle back to any Kia or IRF since. I’ve replaced 1 coil and the issue smoothed out. Some time after, the issue began to worsen and continue to intermittently over the course of months, rough idle, shoot up in rpms, stall while accelerating, and once or twice it has shut off completely while at a stop light. Unfortunately, I have so far replaced 2 coils and the issue is moderate but not to the point of shutting off. The vehicle is eligible for inspection upon request. I do NOT feel safe driving this vehicle, and it’s unfortunate for me as it is my first vehicle.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 9, 2023, fire
At 86575 miles after routine check ups at the dealership and routine maintenance being done regularly my check engine light came on I tried to put gas in my car and it sprayed all over me and the car and the gas tank I can’t put gas in my car and the dealership is expecting me to cover this costs and I’ve seen many other documented incidents with the same complaints
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 23, 2022
I as at work and received a message that there was a large oil spot where my car had been parked overnight at home. I checked my oil and it was not low. After work I was on my way to get my oil changed/checked and after 13 miles I heard a light knocking sound. I pulled over and checked my oil. My oil level was still good. I started my car and the noise was gone. I only had a few miles to the oil/lube express. Just as I pulled in the driveway of the business, the noise started again. The problem was the Oil Pressure Sender Unit was bad. The mechanic pushed it back on and I made it home without any noise. I called the dealership and the earliest they could make me an appt was 3 weeks out. No loaner car, my car had just ran out of warranty, and my car did not come up on recall for the list of Engine recalls. I bought the part and a recently retired certified KIA mechanic replaced it. Fast forward 4,000 the issue of the gas pump clicking off when my tank isn’t full has happened again. It started at aprox 36,000 when the engine light came on and it was impossible to put gas in. The car was checked out but nothing showed to be wrong. The code sensor was reset and I was able to fill up. Well this time, nothing is working. After a few seconds , gas spits out. This car has been a. issue for the last 45,000 miles and my dealership was always booked. I’ve always had the oil changed on time as well as the other maintenance. None of my other vehicles have been so unreliable. I don’t feel I should have to pay for these things when 80,000 miles is not very many in 5 years.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 12, 2022
Engine can stall at lower speeds (10-30 mph) after being on the highway for an extended amount of time. Can also happen after being on the highway, parking and waiting for some time (30 min), and start driving again at lower speeds. Issue becomes more prominent when going uphill slowly (little to no pressure on gas pedal). A rumble can sometimes be felt through the gas pedal too, but not always. Usually the engine starts making some noise ('gurgling') to indicate that the engine is in this state and it usually stall after coasting for some time or pressing very little on the gas (noise may become louder when doing this). I've seen the engine stall around 1000 rpm when doing this. Sometimes the oil light will also start appearing and it seems that the engine is not being responsive when pressing on the gas pedal. Car can stall in these cases or may recover and eventually stall. I've had this issue since the beginning of the year, but an engine check light has not come on for it since then (other than one for a spark plug and coil, but this was addressed in February 2022). Safety concern is mostly when driving in cities or at lower speeds and making unprotected left/right turns where the car may possible stall. Mechanic was able to reproduce this in February but suggested that I take the car to the dealer after difficulty finding the cause . Dealer was unable to solve it in April and suggested waiting for a check engine light.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 5, 2022
My car is stalling. Stalled on the highway. Has knocking sound. And if i let up off the gas at all it stalls. Will stall in neutral as well. Was involved in an accident last year and airbags did not deploy even though they should have. My car started stalling at 86,000 miles with regular oil changes. I’ve only had the vehicle about a year and a half. My lights also are shorted out due to the trunk not closing all the way and rain water getting in. I’m still making payments. I do not know what to do. I’m a sole caregiver to my terminally Ill mother. I need this car. I do not make very much money.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 17, 2021, crash
I ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT ON THIS PREVIOUSLY, HOWEVER IN 2020 MY ENGINE FAILED STOP WORKING. AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE IT OR FIX IT. I LOST MY JOB, I HAD TO GET A RENTAL CAR. THE CAR LOST SPEED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT GO ANYMORE..
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 17, 2020
ROUGH IDLING. ROUGH GEAR SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND SRUTTER ON 3RD. LOSS OF POWER DURING TAKE OFFS. CAR IS ONLY 20,800 MILES. CHECKED TWICE ON DEALER. ONLY WIPED CODE AND RESET COMPUTER. CLAIM NOT TO BE ABLE TO REPLICATE. ISSUE COMES BACK WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT 30 MINS AFTER DRIVING AWAY.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 16, 2020
ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO AGO WHILE GOING UP A HILL I NOTICED THE CAR TRYING TO STALL OUT. IT HAS BEGUN TO DO MORE FREQUENTLY NOW WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE IN IDLE AND/OR PARK ALSO. YOU CANNOT HEAR THE CAR 'KNOCK' BUT IT'S AS IF YOU CAN FEEL IT TRYING TOO. ONE INSTANCE I WAS IN A TURNING LANE AND THE CAR LITERARILY TRIED TO CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE RPM'S DROPPED AND CAR JUST FELT REAL SHAKY AND JUMPY. TOTAL EPISODES APPROXIMATELY IN ABOUT 2 WEEEKS I WOULD SAY ARE CLOSE TO MAYBE 10? THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME IN AT FIRST INSTANCE WHEN I WAS GOING UP A HILL AND HAS NEVER GONE OFF. BUT THE PROBLE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED BUT SEEMS TO HAVE GOTTEN WORSE.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 8, 2020
WHEN COMING TO A STOP, OR SLOWING DOWN, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE CAR WILL DIE SUDDENLY. AT FIRST IT WOULD CRANK RIGHT BACK UP, BUT NOW IT IS GETTING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO GET STARTED AGAIN. VEHICLE ALSO TAKES AWHILE TO GET GOING, EVEN PUSHING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE GAS, AFTER GETTING IT RESTARTED. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 3, 2020
CAR DRIVEN 300 MILES ON ONE TANK OF GAS, TIME TO GET GAS, GAS WON'T GO IN AND WHEN I TRY TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR , IT SPRAYED OUT ALL OVER ME AND THE CAR. VERY SCARY. I CAN'T GET GAS INTO MY CAR. THIS JUST HAPPENED TODAY. NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND I FILLED UP FINE LAST WEEK. CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IT'S EMPTY AND WON'T FILL UP. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 12, 2020
WHEN I CAN TO A STOP WHILE CAR IS RUNNING MOST OF THE TIME THE CAR IS SPUTTERING AND WHEN I GO TO ACCELERATE IT SPUTTERS AND IT DOEST TAKE OFF NORMALLY UNLESS I PUSH DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL 1/2 TO FULL POWER WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS..... *TR
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 6, 2020
I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A MAIN ROAD. MY CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND ALMOST STALLED. THE CAR BARELY MOVED FORWARD AND TBE RPMS WERE ERRATIC. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. WHEN I FINALLY SPUTTERED INTO WORK, THE RPMS IN PARK WERE JUMPING BETWEEN 1000 AND 2000 RPMS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR.. IT ONLY HAS 8,700 MILES...
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 5, 2020
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD.... I STOPPED AND HAD A PERSON STOP AND HE LOOKED UNDER HOOD TO SEE A GAS LINE BROKE AND WAS MAKING ITS WAY ON THE MOTOR
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 18, 2019
WHEN DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON CAUSES CAR TO LOSE POWER AND STARTS TO SHAKE I WAS COMING UP A HILL AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED HAVE TAKEN TO KIA PLACE TWICE NOW AND I WAS TOLD CAN'T BE FIXED UNTIL A RECALL COMES OUT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO BE DRIVING WITH MY KIDS I PAY A GOOD PENNY FOR MY VEHICLE NOW CAN'T DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE IT'S CONSTANT
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 17, 2019
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WITHOUT ANY OBVIOUS CAUSE, ACCELERATION IS DELAYED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THEN THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY REV HIGH WITHOUT SHIFTING UP. THE PROBLEM BEGAN ABOUT ONE YEAR OR 5000 MILES INTO OWNERSHIP OF THE NEW VEHICLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 17, 2019
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 300 MILES ONE THIS PARTICULAR TANK OF GAS, SO I'M CERTAIN THAT THE FUEL GAUGE IS CORRECT; THE GAS LIGHT IS ALSO ON. I PARKED AT A GAS STATION AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED TO FILL THE TANK, BUT THE FUEL WILL NOT GO IN. THE FUEL SPLASHES BACK OUT AND WILL NOT GO INTO THE TANK.