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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

24 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

I have currently been avoiding driving my car because it goes in limp mode when I’m stopped at red lights I smell oil burning sometimes ive seen small amounts of smoke coming from the engine as well as just receiving an oil change less than a month ago and it already being bad , I checked the mail the other day and i received a …

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I have currently been avoiding driving my car because it goes in limp mode when I’m stopped at red lights I smell oil burning sometimes ive seen small amounts of smoke coming from the engine as well as just receiving an oil change less than a month ago and it already being bad , I checked the mail the other day and i received a recall letter from Kia stating my car needs to be serviced and that I can take it in for a free engine test and inspection free of cost as well as a system update free of cost , I schedule an appointment today for 11 I was told it will take half a day I receive a text to pick it back up 1 hour later I ask if an engine test was also done i received no response so I came in and was told that I would have to pay 270 for a diagnosis despite the engine inspection being different they refused to do one stating the previous owners warranty is up so the system update was done without any inspection or test to see if the damage was already which it is based off the state of my car , when trying to leave my car was not starting up and when it finally did it went into limp mode completely and wouldn’t drive at that point I reach out to Kia costumer care center and they let me know that I should have gotten a inspection free of charge along side the update and to go somewhere else online also states regardless of warranty all recalls must be addressed if problems persist regardless of past service or owner , they also cleared my recall and listed it as repaired and it was not Kia corporate shows it is still an open recall as well . I also received a Kia multi point inspection that was not at all fully performed it is 1/4 fill out .

NHTSA ODI #11720848

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2023
Exterior LightingFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

Break line, have to continue to fill break fluid, the smell of something burning when stopping or stopped , passenger right light keeps going out , continues need to be replaced

NHTSA ODI #11547448

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

The engine on my Kia Forte failed just 12k miles after a recall service that was intended to ensure an additional 80k miles of engine use. Either the recall work to ensure that additional range was defective, or the process that designed the work was defective. Recall # 20v750 was to check for engine damage, and install a knock …

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The engine on my Kia Forte failed just 12k miles after a recall service that was intended to ensure an additional 80k miles of engine use. Either the recall work to ensure that additional range was defective, or the process that designed the work was defective. Recall # 20v750 was to check for engine damage, and install a knock sensor update that would PREVENT engine failure. At the time of service the dealership ignored reported oil problems and did not perform the inspection as described in the recall notice. The eventual sensor alert that was supposed to PREVENT damage is instead being treated by the dealer as a catastrophic result that requires replacement. On two fronts the work performed was not as described- there was no legitimate inspection (note the reported oil burn reported by the dealership), and the prevention-enabling sensor update failed to prevent anything.

NHTSA ODI #11460441

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

I bought the car in November 2 weeks later driving on December 10 All lights came out car loss power and engine blew off I was driving at around 55mph I’m still paying for the car but I never received no notice for the recall I need an answer ASAP the cae as been in my garage since December 10/2020

NHTSA ODI #11423017

140,000 miles · May 9, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System

AN ENGINE FIRE RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN ISSUED RELATING TO FUEL AND OIL LEAKS FOR MY VEHICLE. ON TWO OCCASIONS I'VE TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR SERVICE TO THEIR FIRST KIA DEALERSHIP IN SIMI VALLEY CA, AND BOTH TIMES THEY'VE REFUSED TO COMPLETE REPAIRS, SAYING THE MANUFACTURER'S REPAIR SERVERS WERE DOWN AND INACCESSIBLE FOR THE NEC…

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AN ENGINE FIRE RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN ISSUED RELATING TO FUEL AND OIL LEAKS FOR MY VEHICLE. ON TWO OCCASIONS I'VE TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR SERVICE TO THEIR FIRST KIA DEALERSHIP IN SIMI VALLEY CA, AND BOTH TIMES THEY'VE REFUSED TO COMPLETE REPAIRS, SAYING THE MANUFACTURER'S REPAIR SERVERS WERE DOWN AND INACCESSIBLE FOR THE NECESSARY SERVICE. ON THE MOST RECENT APPOINTMENT (APRIL 9), THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME HE'D GIVE ME A CALL ONCE THE REPAIR SYSTEM WAS BACK ONLINE, BUT THAT CALL NEVER HAPPENED. KIA HAS NOT REPLIED TO MY REQUESTS REGARDING THIS IMPAIRMENT OF THEIRS. MEANWHILE MY CAR IS BURNING THROUGH 1-3 QUARTS OF OIL A WEEK, THOSE GALLONS OF OIL LOSS HAVE ALREADY COST ME ONE CONTAMINATED CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND I LACK THE WORK FLEXIBILITY TO CONTINUE SCHEDULING FRUITLESS REPAIR VISITS. MY CAR HAS A FLAW THAT THIS RECALL SHOULD FIX, BUT BETWEEN THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER THERE HAS BEEN AN INABILITY TO PROVIDE THAT REPAIR. THE ONGOING PURSUIT OF THOSE SOLUTIONS HAS LEFT ME AT RISK OF LOSING WORK SHOULD THIS NONSENSE CONTINUE- MUCH OF MY SCHEDULING FLEXIBILITY HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED.

NHTSA ODI #11415717

154,000 miles · Mar 7, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System

KIA FORTE IS BURNING OIL, BOUGHT CAR TO MECHANIC TO TRY AND LOCATE A LEAK, AND FIX WHAT ISSUE THE CAR MAY BE HAVING. A FEW DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR TO THE MECHANICS WHICH THE GDI AND PCV VALVE WAS CHANGED AND/OR REPAIRED. HE NOTED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE FOULED WITH OIL, AND THAT HE COULD NOT TELL WHERE A LEAK WAS OCCURING …

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KIA FORTE IS BURNING OIL, BOUGHT CAR TO MECHANIC TO TRY AND LOCATE A LEAK, AND FIX WHAT ISSUE THE CAR MAY BE HAVING. A FEW DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR TO THE MECHANICS WHICH THE GDI AND PCV VALVE WAS CHANGED AND/OR REPAIRED. HE NOTED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE FOULED WITH OIL, AND THAT HE COULD NOT TELL WHERE A LEAK WAS OCCURING OR WHY THE ENGINE IS BURNING SO MUCH OIL. AFTER THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP WE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING THAT KIA WAS HAVING A RECALL ON OUR VEHICLE. RECALL NUMBER 20V750 - WHICH PERTAINED TO THE ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE, I THEN CONTACTED KIA AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT, WHICH KIA COULD NOT HOLD DUE TO THEIR SERVERS BEING DOWN, HAD TO RESCHEDULE, RESCHEDULED A SECOND APPOINTMENT, WHICH WAS NOT HELD DUE TO THE SERVERS BEING DOWN STILL. FINALLY RECEIVED A CALL A FEW DAYS LATER THAT THE SERVERS WERE UP AND IF I WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE, IN WHICH DID FOR MONDAY MARCH 1ST 2021. WHEN LEAVING THE CAR AT KIA ALL STAR IN DENHAM SPRINGS, LA THE ENGINE WAS TAPPING SOME BUT SHALLOW, WHEN I SPOKE TO KIA THEY STATED THAT THE RECALL MY CAR WAS GOING IN FOR WAS FOR THE UPDATE ON THE KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM, IN WHICH I WAS NEVER SENT THE SECOND LETTER AS PROMISED THAT THE UPDATE WAS AVAILABLE IN THE RECALL LETTER OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL I AM CONTACTING YOU ABOUT. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR IT DID NOT SEEM THE SAME, OR SOUND THE SAME, AND AS A COUPLE DAYS WENT BY THE ENGINE WAS SOUNDING ROUGHER AND LOUDER, CHECKED MY OIL AND HAD TO ADD MORE OIL TO THE CAR AND THE ISSUE OF MISSING OIL IS STILL HAPPENING. I CALLED KIA CONSUMERS AND SPOKE TO A JASON TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND THE DISPLEASED WITH THE SERVICES THAT I DID NOT RECEIVE AND THE LACK OF URGENCY IN THE RECALL ISSUES PERTAINING TO MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11399622

50,000 miles · Feb 19, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemStructureFire

THE CAR WAS HAVING SOME ... PAUSE, WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS SO IT WAS TAKEN TO A KIA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL INJECTION SO WE PAID THE 200 PLUS DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED, THIS HAPPEN ON A FRIDAY, AFTER THE FIX WE FEULED UP AND SATURDAY THE CAR WAS NOT USED ON SUNDAY MORNING GETTING TO CHURCH THE CAR MOTOR WAS ON FIRE. …

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THE CAR WAS HAVING SOME ... PAUSE, WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS SO IT WAS TAKEN TO A KIA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL INJECTION SO WE PAID THE 200 PLUS DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED, THIS HAPPEN ON A FRIDAY, AFTER THE FIX WE FEULED UP AND SATURDAY THE CAR WAS NOT USED ON SUNDAY MORNING GETTING TO CHURCH THE CAR MOTOR WAS ON FIRE. THIS HAPPENED NEAR THACKER AVE

NHTSA ODI #11396922

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

BEFORE EXITING BUT DURING DEPARTURE OF PARKING LOT FOR APARTMENT BUILDING KEEPING BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED WITH TRANSMISSION GEARED IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE QUICKLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY TOOK OFF AND SPED OUT OF CONTROL BACKWARDS UNTIL STOPPED BY SUDDEN IMPACT WITH A TREE RESULTING IN NUMEROUS BODILY INJURIES TO TRAUMATIC MENTALLY A…

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BEFORE EXITING BUT DURING DEPARTURE OF PARKING LOT FOR APARTMENT BUILDING KEEPING BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED WITH TRANSMISSION GEARED IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE QUICKLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY TOOK OFF AND SPED OUT OF CONTROL BACKWARDS UNTIL STOPPED BY SUDDEN IMPACT WITH A TREE RESULTING IN NUMEROUS BODILY INJURIES TO TRAUMATIC MENTALLY ANGUISHED DRIVER AND 2 PASSENGERS, 1 OF WHICH WAS SEATED IN THE BACKSEAT COLLISION SIDE RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE ACCORDING TO DRIVERS INSURANCE POLICY PROVIDER STATE FARM. CLAIM NUMBER: 53-15K1-66D

NHTSA ODI #11390435

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I REPLACED MY CATALYC CONVERTER IN JULY, WAS INFORMED THERE WAS AN INTERNAL OIL LEAK FROM THE ENGINE CAUSING THE CATALYC TO CLOG AND CAR LOSE POWER. REPLACED THE WHOLE THING OVER $2000. NOW EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATED. AS WELL CAN SMELL THE OIL BURNING.

NHTSA ODI #11389720

87,800 miles · Dec 4, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

MY VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME UNDER A WARRANTY. UPON DRIVING THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. WOULD NOT RESTART. ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE BY KIA. AS WELL AS A REPLACEMENT OIL PAN RANDOMLY. MY LONG TIME MECHANIC SAID THE OIL PAN WASN'T NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 1ST REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE. IN TOTAL THE CAR HAS HAD 3 ENGINES. …

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MY VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME UNDER A WARRANTY. UPON DRIVING THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. WOULD NOT RESTART. ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE BY KIA. AS WELL AS A REPLACEMENT OIL PAN RANDOMLY. MY LONG TIME MECHANIC SAID THE OIL PAN WASN'T NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 1ST REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE. IN TOTAL THE CAR HAS HAD 3 ENGINES. EMISSIONS PROBLEM EVER SINCE. LIGHT ON AND KIA HAS BILLED AND USED ALL OF THE WARRANTY COVERAGE. ALL DOCUMENTATION PROVIDABLE. ALL OIL CHANGES PROVIDABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11377904

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.