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
302 reports, newest first.
Engine, Sep 3, 2021
THE ENGINE FAILED DURING EVENING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT CUT BACK ON. VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF THE ROAD AND TOWED HOME. PREVIOUSLY THE ENGINE LIGHT DID APPEAR ON IN THE CAR BUT A RECENT OIL CHANGE WAS DONE ON THE CAR WHICH CAUSED THE LIGHT TO GO AWAY. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SHOP AFTER OIL CHANGE WAS DONE AND CAR STALLED ONCE ON THE WAY HOME. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR RECALLS AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CAR (RECALL NO. 21V260000)CAR WAS TAKEN TO KIA DEALERSHIP A DAY OR 2 LATER AND A DIAGNOSTICS WAS DONE ON THE VEHICLE BY THE KIA DEALERSHIP. THE KIA DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE OF THE CAR. THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE CAR DESPITE ME SHOWING THEM THE RECALL NUMBER THE KIA DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CAN FIX IT FOR $7600 OR I CAN GET ANOTHER CAR AND PUT DOWN BETWEEN $5000-6000. THEY ALSO SAID BEING THAT MY CAR WASN'T APART OF THE RECALL THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS SHOWING SIGNS THAT WAS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED IN MY BACKYARD AND CURRENTLY NOT DRIVEABLE.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while attempting to open the rear trunk door lid, it was discovered that the trunk door lid could not be opened while using the key fob, the trunk release, or the emergency trunk release. Later while driving approximately 70 MPH, the trunk lid suddenly opened and could no longer be closed or secured. A cell phone cord was used to secure the trunk door lid. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number 21V622000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 44,300.
Engine, Aug 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated and then the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over and park the vehicle in a parking lot where the vehicle remained. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not associated with any recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Engine, Aug 19, 2021
While driving normal 35 mph speed engine started knocking loudly, pulled into parking lot shut it off. Called dad, an ASE Master Mechanic, told him what happened. He told me to start it so he could hear it, bang, bang BOOM! stench, smoke car died. He told me it sounded like the rod bearing . Got towed home. Towed to Kia dealer near home, they diagnosed blown rod bearing engine toast. This is probably the SAME engine the lawsuits were about with the SAME PROBLEM. I am thrilled that no-one was hurt, there had been fires, explosions etc. If it happened on the freeway it could have been BAD!
Other or unspecified, Aug 18, 2021
Trunk latch apparently broke and trunk popped opened on it's own while driving. We have not been able to tie it down due to broken latch. Obscures view and cannot be driven safely at this time. Has not been seen or confirmed by a repair shop yet
Other or unspecified, Aug 6, 2021
My vehicle is stalling out while I am driving. Also I have to at times try too start it twice wont turnover on first try.Has been reported to dealer they dont seem to know what the problem is. I called 2 months ahead of April 2021 and Kia told me they were so booked up they couldn't see me till almost 2 months later. Car is still doin the same.
Engine, Jul 11, 2021
My car has gone in twice to the dealer for “engine missfire” both times coils were replaced under warranty, now the car just hit 60212 milles and engine missfire code again, this time not covered under warranty. Car has a bad shake at start up and moderate speeds. Third time in the past year.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 KIA Forte. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the vehicle started losing motive power with an abnormal clicking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle eventually stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and coast to the side of the highway as the engine ceased. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact saw oil leaking in the engine compartment. The contact left the vehicle on the highway and walked home. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Two weeks later, the vehicle was initially towed to her grandfather's home where he discovered debris in the oil pump which he linked to the vehicle failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where they informed her that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V260000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Engine, Jun 28, 2021
My vehicle is at 60,116 miles. While driving down the interstate, it started making a slight rattling noise. Then not even 5 minutes later it made this awful sound, smoke was going everywhere and it was pouring oil out. The traction control light, engine light, and oil light all came on. It had thrown a rod through the engine. Prior to this, there were no issues at all. No engine light. No rattling. Nothing. It just happened all at once within 5 minutes.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 23, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at 70 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the engine needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 21V260000 (Engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that the issue falls on the driver due to improper maintenance. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Engine, Jun 1, 2021
The car keeps giving a misfire code. Kia says the only recall is for the coil boots. They replaced the coil boots and the car is still giving the misfire code. I see lots of people having to replace the coils to fix the problem. I asked kia about this and they say there is no problem with my coils. At this point my car isnt usable and kia says theres nothing they can do. The car loses power and stalls while driving along. It also does the same thing while at an idle.
Engine, May 3, 2021
2017 KIA FORTE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND WAS HEADING TO MECHANIC. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED WHILE DRIVING AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. OIL PAN FLASHED ON SO OIL CHANGE WAS DONE ON SPOT. THE CAR DROVE FINE THEN DAYS LATER SAME ISSUE OCCURRED. GOT CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR THE MECHANIC TO TELL ME THERE WERE FOREIGN PARTICLES STUCK IN BOTH THE OIL PUMP AND OIL PAN THAT LED TO ENGINE DAMAGE NOW NEEDING A NEW ENGINE. TAKE MY CAR TO KIA DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL THAT I SEEN ONLINE FOR POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY OIL PUMP AND KIA IS NOT HONORING THE RECALL SINCE IT HAS A DATE POSTED FOR LATER THIS YEAR IN JUNE.
Exterior lighting, Apr 29, 2021
THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS 3 TIMES. I WAS DRIVING ONE NIGHT A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AND BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THAT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. THAT WAS MY SECOND SET OF HEADLIGHTS NOW I'M ON MY 3RD SET AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WENT OUT. I PAID EXTRA FOR THE BEST SET OF HEADLIGHTS AUTOZONE HAD TO OFFER AT THE TIME AS I WAS IN DESPERATE NEED SO I COULD DRIVE HOME AND IT STILL LASTED THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME, PURCHASED ON 1/22/2021. ALSO, THEY'RE ALWAYS DIM. FOR THE MOST EXPENSIVE SET OF LIGHTS I EXPECTED MORE. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND SEEN THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE. WHY IS THIS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE? SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS AND SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE. HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. I HAVE TWO OTHER VEHICLES. A 2017 DODGE JOURNEY THAT HAS NEVER NEEDED A HEADLIGHT CHANGE AND A 2007 FORD ESCAPE THAT HAS ONLY NEEDED A FEW HEADLIGHTS IN ITS ENTIRE EXISTENCE. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. THE DATE LISTED BELOW IS THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT.
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..
Air bags, Apr 16, 2021, crash
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN VEHICLE CRASH AT ABOVE 30 MPH
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 13, 2021
I WAS DRIVING DOWN 84TH ST AND CAME TO THE LIGHT ON 84TH AND PACIFIC AVE AND THE ENGINE WANTED TO DIE OUT AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL TO KEEP IT RUNNING AND THEN TURNED RIGHT ONTO PACIFIC AVE AND WENT TO 80TH AND PACIFIC AVE AND THE CAR DIED OUT TOWED IT TO THE HOUSE AND CHECKED THE OIL AND EVERYTHING AND THERE WAS NO OIL THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT DID NOT TURN ON AT ANY POINT OF TIME SO I ADDED OIL AND STARTED THE ENGINE BACK UP AND NOW IT HAS A ENGINE KNOCK LIKE THE ROD BEARING WENT OUT I AM GOING TO CONTACT THE KIA DEALER IN THE MORNING AND SEE WHAT'S THE PROBLEM AND EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS
Engine, Apr 5, 2021
ENGINE COILS KEEP GOING BAD. FIRST ENGINE COIL WENT BAD AT 60,000 MILES AND NOW MY SECOND ENGINE COIL HAS GONE UP AT 67,000 MILES.
Other or unspecified, Apr 4, 2021
TRUNK OF CAR WILL NOT CLOSE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE ONE DAY IT CLOSES THE NEXT DAY IT WON'T
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2021
TRUNK LID OPENS WHILE DRIVING
Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2021, crash
MY CAR KEEPS SHUTTING DOWN...STOPS RUNNING, HAVE TO START IT AGAIN TO KEEP GOING
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
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 18, 2021
I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AT THE END OF 2017. I HAVE TAKEN EXTREMELY GOOD CARE OF THE CAR. A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET SOMETHING COSMETIC FIXED ON THE INTERIOR. I PICKED UP MY CAR AND WHEN I GOT HOME I REALIZED BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND ONE BRAKE LIGHT WERE NOT WORKING. I TOOK MY CAR BACK IN AND THEY INSISTED THAT WHEN ONE LIGHT GOES OUT, THEY ALL GO OUT WHICH ISN'T TRUE. I INSISTED THAT THERE MUST BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND THAT I WANTED A TECHNICIAN TO CHECK IT SINCE MY LIGHTS WERE WORKING JUST FINE WHEN I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN. AFTER MANY DIFFERENT APPOINTMENTS AND INSPECTIONS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS MY WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS BROKEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER IT. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE LEFT SIDE, WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER IT. THE TECHNICIAN EVEN STATED THAT THE ENGINE GOT TOO HOT AND MELTED THE WIRES. HE WAS SURPRISED WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER THIS ISSUE SINCE IT HAPPENED ON BOTH SIDES WITHIN A YEAR TO A CAR THAT IS FAIRLY NEW AND REALLY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. HAVING BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHT NOT WORKING IS VERY DANGEROUS. ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING IN A DARK AND RAINY AREA. HOW HAS THIS HAPPENED TO SO MANY PEOPLE AND THIS VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN RECALLED? I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN KIA AND THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OR RECOURSE. AFTER READING ALL OF THESE COMPLAINS THAT ARE THE SAME, I AM SHOCKED KIA HAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS.
Engine, Feb 10, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP. NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA AUTOSPORT OF PENSACOLA (6637 PENSACOLA BLVD, PENSACOLA, FL 32505). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE IGNITION COIL AND SPARK PLUG MAY HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START OR MISFIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Engine, Feb 5, 2021
IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY GOING 70. 2017 KIA STARTED MAKING TICKING NOISE NO OIL LIGHT ON OR ANY WARNINGS AFTER FEW MILES ROD WENT THROUGH SIDE OF BLOCK THEN INTO STARTER DAMAGING IT LEAVING CAR DISABLED. REMOVED ENGINE FROM CAR TO REPLACE OPENED THE ENGINE UP AND FOUND TO BE A RESULT OF A RECALL ISSUE CAR HAS 104000 ON IT. FOUND SUMP FILTER CLOGGED WITH BEARING MATERIAL RESTRICTTING OIL FLOW. THE DEALER OR KIA WONT DO ANYTHING REFUSING TO FIX IT. I NOW HAVE A NEW ENGINE ORDERED AND GETTING IT WENSDAY, THE CAR IS NOT EVEN PAID OFF AND AS A RESULT I CAN NOT MAKE IT TO WORK TO MAKE A LIVING TILL I GET THE ENGINE INSTALLED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 4 MONTHS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2021
THE TRUNK OF MY VEHICLE JUST OPENS ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THEN WHEN I PULL OVER TO CLOSE IT WON'T. THE LATCH IS NOT ENGAGING, ONCE I GET THE LATCH TO CATCH THEN I CAN'T GET MY TRUNK TO RE-OPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE HAPPENED ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021.