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2014 Kia Forte

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Forte years

Owner complaints for the 2014 Kia Forte are substantially higher than the model-year median of 141.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

262 reports with mileage · 178 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 214 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports36 fire reports23 injury reports

Engine complaints

214 reports
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160,800 miles · Mar 17, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 53 MPH at night, the vehicle started shuddering and then stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The …

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The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 53 MPH at night, the vehicle started shuddering and then stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The vehicle was then towed to the used car dealer where it was purchased. The used car dealer diagnosed that the catalytic converter was misfiring. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred while driving five months later. The vehicle was taken back to the used car dealer where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter was misfiring. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted and the vehicle was taken back to the used car dealer three more times. The used car dealer provided the same diagnostic and repaired the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,800.

NHTSA ODI #11457184

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2022
Engine

Campaign PI2002A. P1326 KIA Code - Knock Sensor Detection System, Milage 35,488. January 15: My MIL went on 2 blocks from the house. I parked the car. Towed to garage who ran the code and recommended car got to dealership. Towed to dealer on January 17 ish. The dealer installed the patch and I picked up my car January 27. I drov…

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Campaign PI2002A. P1326 KIA Code - Knock Sensor Detection System, Milage 35,488. January 15: My MIL went on 2 blocks from the house. I parked the car. Towed to garage who ran the code and recommended car got to dealership. Towed to dealer on January 17 ish. The dealer installed the patch and I picked up my car January 27. I drove around the block and retruned my car for knocking- the higher the speed the louder the noise. The dealership worked with Kia to reosolve by making videos of my car for weeks. 6 WEEKS LATER dealership called to tell me that I need a new engine and that the rods need replacing but it is not covered by a recall that specifically states that rods and or engine should be replaced. They offer a liftime waranty and engine replacement for this same code in other Kias. Repairs or a new engine should be covered as is with outher Kias with same issue. TSB Number: PI2002YZ_TSB_R2 NHTSA Number: 10201615. Literally the same issue in DTC P1326 (PI1803Y/Z)

NHTSA ODI #11455417

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2022
Engine

Had major oil consumption issues, 2+ quarts a week with no visible drips, puddles or misting. Dropped off at dealer when on vacation. Dealer insisted that problem was oil pan and they insisted that it was the source of leak despite my protests. I was told that "...at any rate, Kia will not authorize engine replacement". No chang…

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Had major oil consumption issues, 2+ quarts a week with no visible drips, puddles or misting. Dropped off at dealer when on vacation. Dealer insisted that problem was oil pan and they insisted that it was the source of leak despite my protests. I was told that "...at any rate, Kia will not authorize engine replacement". No change to consumption after picking up car. KSDS software update performed. Flashing CEL and breakdown on highway several months later. Different dealer diagnosed needed repair as "engine replacement". Neither dealer nor Kia consumer care (KCAC) would do ANYTHING to take care of problem. Ignored my letter, and stiff-armed at every step. BTW, I bought 2 brand new cars from this dealership. Terrible quality and even worse customer service, if that is possible. Clearly this is a known issue and Kia is doing their darnedest to not have to add the Forte model to their recall as this is their biggest seller with this engine. Shame on Kia, their dealer network and the US consumer affairs agencies and NHTSA for not making this happen!

NHTSA ODI #11455345

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2022
Engine

i bought my 2014 kia forte last 5months ago. my car started to make a weird noise. i brought my car to dealership and they said it needs a new engine. i still owe around $8000+ with this car. i am student and i dont how am i going able to get money for a new engine.

NHTSA ODI #11454958

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2022
Engine

My car had recall service performed last year at First Kia in Simi Valley, CA. The work (for engine fires) took four months to complete, because on my first two visits they were refusing to perform recall service. The recall was to fix oil leaks and update the knock sensor. They never did fix my leaking engine. A few weeks ago s…

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My car had recall service performed last year at First Kia in Simi Valley, CA. The work (for engine fires) took four months to complete, because on my first two visits they were refusing to perform recall service. The recall was to fix oil leaks and update the knock sensor. They never did fix my leaking engine. A few weeks ago some engine noise made me concerned. First Kia denied any warranty coverage on the work performed. The recall notice meanwhile explicitly describes oil leak corrections and warranty updates. At present my car has a knocking trouble code and I've now been misled by First Kia into great cost.

NHTSA ODI #11454957

145,000 miles · Mar 2, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly go into limp mode and would not accelerate above 20 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The ma…

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The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly go into limp mode and would not accelerate above 20 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 145,000.

NHTSA ODI #11454878

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2022
Engine

On November 2nd of 2020 my vehicle could barely make it up a highway incline, the RPM's would go high but, vehicle could get no speed or shift gears. My car actually cut off on me with no warning and at that time I was not in the slow lane which was dangerous. So I coasted off the exit and the car would not start. The car was…

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On November 2nd of 2020 my vehicle could barely make it up a highway incline, the RPM's would go high but, vehicle could get no speed or shift gears. My car actually cut off on me with no warning and at that time I was not in the slow lane which was dangerous. So I coasted off the exit and the car would not start. The car was towed to dealer and was checked out and repaired for a catalytic converter. Now on November 5th 2022 the vehicle started doing the same exact thing as before. Keep in mind its only been barely over year since converter was replaced. The engine again stalls out while driving and would not start. So, on 02/07/2022 I had a flex pipe put on the car. On 02/09/2022 I took it to an exhaust shop to have it checked. Once again they had to replace the converter due to it being clogged. The repair shop stated that this is a problem with GDI engines and that's it burning more oil causing the converter to clog. So this is unsafe to the consumer where it either stalls out or cuts off without notice. There is a problem because now I'm on my 2nd converter in little more than a year.

NHTSA ODI #11451523

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2022
Engine

The car is running really terribly. Took to a Kia dealer to have recall for Knocking sensor and catalytic converter fixed as we were told by a prior mechanic. Car has 86,000 miles on it. The kia dealer did not fix the problem(s). Gave us back the car in the same working order it was in when they received. Didn't notify us of wha…

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The car is running really terribly. Took to a Kia dealer to have recall for Knocking sensor and catalytic converter fixed as we were told by a prior mechanic. Car has 86,000 miles on it. The kia dealer did not fix the problem(s). Gave us back the car in the same working order it was in when they received. Didn't notify us of what was wrong with the car exactly and did not offer to fix or remedy it either on the recall or us paying out of pocket. But did tell us about multiple light bulbs that were out. I called and spoke to them about it and they told me that what is wrong with the car is not covered under the 2 recalls they repaired. But the things that are wrong with the car were under the recall notices that we read on the NHTSA website after entering the VIN.

NHTSA ODI #11448412

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2022
Engine

Vehicle has 103k miles. Ticking noise evident from engine., which reacts to increase in RPM. Took to local Kia dealer for diagnosis - recommended a new engine. Cost of $6-7000 to replace the engine. This vehicle cost was just arouns $7000 last year when purchasded.

NHTSA ODI #11445969

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2021
Engine

Engine seized while driving. Car had just over 60,000 miles. Approximately 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #11445237

Official recalls

3

20V750000 · Engine

Dec 2, 2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.

17V773000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Dec 1, 2017

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC158.

15V015000 · Electrical System

Jan 16, 2015

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kia Forte vehicles manufactured December 5, 2012, to April 17, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the cooling fan resistor may overheat and melt.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the cooling fan resistor overheats and melts, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and for vehicles produced from December 5, 2012 to January 27, 2014, dealers will replace the cooling fan resistor and multi-fuse unit. For vehicles produced from January 28, 2014 to April 17, 2014, dealers will replace the multi-fuse unit only. Owners of vehicles with a 1.8L engine will also have the engine control unit software updated. The recall began on February 20, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC113.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA21003 · Engine Fires

Opened Dec 22, 2021 · Closed Feb 5, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.  The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.  Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia.  The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2011 Kia Sorento, and MY 2012-2015 Kia Rio.  The latter issue involved approximately 2.5 million recalled vehicles, which have been identified as displaying potential remedy concerns: Hyundai recalls 15V-568, 17V-226, 20V-746, and 21V-727; and Kia recalls 17V-224, 19V-120, 20V-750, and 21V-844. Regarding the recall scope issue, among all of the scope vehicles identified at EA opening, ODI found only the MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with both the Theta II 2.4L 4-cylinder Multi-Point Injection (MPI) and the Lambda II 3.5L 6-cylinder MPI engines experienced relatively high rates of reported fires.  In December 2023, Kia issued recall 23V-877 that will cover about 80,000 MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the Theta II 2.4L MPI engines.  The remedy will involve an inspection, and if necessary, a replacement of the engine, as well as the installation of KSDS.  It should be noted that in 2021 these vehicles were included in a KSDS product improvement campaign with warranty extension.  For the MY 2011 Sorento vehicles equipped with the Lambda II 3.5L engines, ODI believes that future engine failures/fires involving these vehicles will likely be due to a lax in adhering to the proper or scheduled engine maintenance (regular engine oil changes), rather than a design or manufacturing engine issue. Regarding the issue of the efficacy of the recall remedies, ODI found the majority of the recalled Hyundai and Kia vehicles, by model, experienced lower reported fire rates after the remedies were applied.  Furthermore, ODI found that for most vehicles that did not receive the recall remedies, by model, experienced relatively high fire rates.  To address this problem, Hyundai informed ODI in December 2023, that it will renotify all of its owners covered by the Hyundai recalls of engine failures/fires every 8 months for the next 3 years.  In December 2023, Kia stated that it will renotify the majority of its owners every 8 months for the next 3 years.Several previously recalled Kia models are excluded from the renotification due to their lower reported rates of engine fires.  Overall, the renotification actions will help to increase the recall completion rates, thus reduce the frequency of engine fires in the future. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia and renotification actions being taken by both Kia and Hyundai, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis.  Also, both companies have been released from the 2020-iniated Consent Orders (Kia since November 2022 and Hyundai since November 2023).  The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.  To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.