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.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 29, 2021
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. MY VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE SO I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP AND MY VEHICLE STOPPED, THANKFULLY I DID NOTHING HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I DROVE FORWARD AND MY ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON; AFTER NO MORE THAN 30 SECONDS, THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. ALL HAS BEEN FINE SINCE, HOWEVER I LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM AND APPARENTLY KIA HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH CARS LUNGING FORWARD AND CAUSING MAJOR ACCIDENTS. I HONESTLY AM TERRIFIED FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME.
Engine, Jan 27, 2021
2.0 HAS 73K MILES ON IT. ENGINE NOISY WHEN COLD START, LIKE A RATTLE AND KNOCK FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS. OIL IS GOOD AND NO CODES. EVEN WHEN WARMED UP, THE ENGINE ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE THE MULTI PORT ENGINES MADE IN THE 80'S AND 90S WHEN ACCELERATING. KIND OF A 'WA WA WA WA WA' SOUND. TO ME, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS READY TO 'CHECK OUT'. SOMEONE TOLD ME IT COULD BE ROD BEARINGS.
Engine, Jan 19, 2021
MY CAR ENGINE STARTS TO SHAKE VIGOROUSLY FOR NO REASON AND IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SOMETIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IDLE AND DRIVING ON STREETS AND/OR HIGHWAYS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES TO SEE IF IT STOPPED TO HEAD BACK HOME OR IT DOESN'T STOP AND I HAVE TO GET HOME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND I WAS ADVISED THAT MY COIL PACK WAS BAD.I ASKED WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT THIS AND THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME 'THIS IS JUST SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS WITH CARS'. I'VE GOTTEN MY CAR FIXED AT A KIA DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THE PROBLEM CAME BACK LESS THAN A WEEK LATER EACH TIME. IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN AND I HAVE TO GO GET IT REPAIRED AGAIN. THIS BEGAN ABOUT A YEAR INTO HAVING THE CAR. EACH TIME I GET THIS REPAIR IT'S ABOUT $600. I ALWAYS GET ALL MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR, IT IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, I AM THE FIRST AND ONLY OWNER OF THE CAR AND THE EXPLANATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP OF 'THIS IS SOMETHING THAT JUST HAPPENS' IS UNACCEPTABLE WHEN I TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLE. THANK YOU. I TRIED TO TAKE A VIDEO BUT IT DOESN'T SHOW THE SHAKING WELL, I CAN DEFINITELY FEEL IT THOUGH.
Exterior lighting, Dec 29, 2020
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HID HAVE GONE IN AND OUT WHILE DIVING AT NIGHT..THEN THEY HAVE NOW BLOWN OUT TWICE.AT $100 DOLLARS A PIECE..THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE..!! THERE SEEMS TO BE A SHOT CIRCUIT IN THE LIGHT SWITCH ITSELF..IT HAS BLINKED OFF WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNAL AS WELL WHICH LEADS ME TO COME TO THIS CONCLUSION..
Exterior lighting, Dec 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD, THE HEADLIGHT WORKED AS DESIGNED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD LIGHT BECAME INOPERABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Structure, Dec 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2017 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM THE TRUNK AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KARP BUICK (400 SUNRISE HWY, ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 39,400.
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.
Exterior lighting, Oct 30, 2020
HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT MULTIPLE TIMES EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT WITH NEW HEADLIGHT BULBS. THERE HAS BEEN ONE OCCASION WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A BUSY ROAD. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS AT LEAST EVERY 6 MONTHS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. *WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN* DATE IS THE MOST RECENT OF ALL OCCURRENCES. HEADLIGHTS ARE ALSO ALWAYS VERY DIM EVEN WITH NEW BULBS.
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Oct 21, 2020
FRONT WINDSHIELD SMEARS EVERYTIME I USE WINDSHIELD WIPER. I NOTICED THIS WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT, AND IT WOULD GO AWAY EVENTUALLY. NOW, I TRY TO AVOID DRIVING WHEN IT RAINS BECAUSE IT SEEMS THE WIPERS JUST MAKES IT WORSE. ALSO, MY HEADLIGHTS DO NOT DO ANY JUSTICE. SOMETIMES I THINK I DO NOT HAVE THEM ON BECAUSE OF HOW DIM THEY ARE. AT NIGHT, I WOULD HAVE TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS ON THE HIGHWAY OR REGULAR ROADS SOMETIMES TO AVOID SHARP TURNS OR JUST TO SEE THE STREET LINES.
Exterior lighting, Oct 6, 2020
MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE BARELY ON. I CAN NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT WITHOUT USING MY HIGH BEAMS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A VEY COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BECAUSE IT HAS NOT CAUSED ANY SERIOUS HARM TO PEOPLE. KIA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND DO A SAFETY RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.
Engine, Aug 21, 2020
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE THAT NEEDED A RESET OR UPDATE. THEY FIXED IT WITH NO CHARGE AND TOLD ME TO COME BACK IF IT CAME ON AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK IT BACK AND WAS TOLD ONE OF MY CYLINDERS WAS MISFIRING SO THEY FIXED IT AND I WAS CHARGED. 3-4 MONTHS LATER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS AN OLD CODE STORED IN THE CAR. THEY CLEARED THE CODE AND TOLD ME IF THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN TO BRING IT BACK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON LESS THAN 48 HOURS LATER. THIS IS FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020, I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON AUGUST 29TH TO CHECK MY CAR. WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON MY CAR HESITATES WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS. THE CHECK COMES ON AND GOES OFF. WHEN THE LIGHT IS OFF I DON'T EXPERIENCE THE HESITATION IN THE ACCELERATION. IT MAY COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO OFF AND REMAIN OFF FOR 1 TO 2 DAYS. THIS WILL BE MY 4TH TIME TAKING MY CAR IN FOR THE SAME ISSUE.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 18, 2020
I TOOKEN MY 2017 KIA FORTE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP COUNTLESS OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND STILL WITH NO AVAIL. AS I'M DRIVING THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS SHAKING THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON THEN THE CAR EITHER SHUTS OFF ON ITS OWN THEN GOT TO WAIT IT OUT FOR IT TO START. IF I GO TO TURN ON THE AC THE CAR ALSO SHUTS OFF. I'VE ALMOST GOTTEN HIT DUE TO THE CAR UN RELIABILITY.
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.
Exterior lighting, Jul 17, 2020
MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE FOR SOME TIME NOW I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 3 YEARS AND AT FIRST THE HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT AFTER REPLACING THE BULBS I NO LONGER HAVE ENOUGH POWER SOURCE GOING TO THE HEADLIGHTS TO USE MY LOW BEAMS ANYMORE. I TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY TOLD ME JUST THE LIGHT BULB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND MY WHOLE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHTING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS SOUNDS SO WRONG BECAUSE BOTH THE LIGHTS WORK BUT THEY ARE SO DIM THEY ARE NOT USEABLE. THE DRIVER SIDE WENT OUT FIRST THE CAR WAS STATIONARY THEN A MONTH LATER THE PASSENGER.
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 .
Engine, Jul 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH DARK GREY SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST TIPS. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARMAX LOCATED AT 1975 BEAVER RUIN RD, NORCROSS, GA 30071, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
Exterior lighting, Jul 12, 2020
I HAVEN'T EVEN OWNED THIS CAR FOR 7 MONTHS YET AND I HAVE CHANGED THE LIGHTS 20 TIMES! AS SOON AS I CHANGE ONE THE NEXT ONE BLOWS AND THE PREVIOUS ONE WILL BLOW THE FOLLOWING THE WEEK. I'M TIRED OF MAKING PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT KEEPS ACTING CRAZY WITH THE LIGHTS.
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.
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
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
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
Exterior lighting, May 26, 2020
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT EVERY 2-3 MONTHS, ONE AFTER THE OTHER. SOMETIMES ONE WILL GO OUT AND BE OUT FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND THEN COME BACK ON, BUT USUALLY THEY GO OUT AND STAY OUT UNTIL THE BULB IS REPLACED. *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
Exterior lighting, May 10, 2020
MY CAR HAS BEEN PARKED AND EVERY TIME I GO OUTSIDE MY LIGHTS ARE ON. THE HAS BEEN GOING FOR A MONTH. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS OUT OF MY HEADLIGHTS EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR THIS HAS GOTTEN TO BE COSTLY. WHEN I?M DRIVING SOMETIMES THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL GO OUT. THESE LIGHTS HAVE HAD ME BUYING BATTERIES AND BULBS . *TR