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2017 Kia Forte

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Forte years

Owner complaints for the 2017 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

135 reports with mileage · 166 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 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports9 fire reports14 injury reports

Engine complaints

144 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2022
Engine

Coil pack failed - car died with no warning driving down interstate. My mechanic found a code for a cylinder and replaced the coil pack. The car started acting the same as it did in the days prior to the engine dying while driving. I took it back to the mechanic and it showed no code. Started researching and saw a recall on coil…

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Coil pack failed - car died with no warning driving down interstate. My mechanic found a code for a cylinder and replaced the coil pack. The car started acting the same as it did in the days prior to the engine dying while driving. I took it back to the mechanic and it showed no code. Started researching and saw a recall on coil packs on a third party website. Took it to dealership and they verified this but said they could not replace because one of the coil packs was after market and would not be reimbursed by manufacturer for any of them if all four were not returned. The manufacturer tells me there is no recall except for the trunk latch and that there is a service action they are not required to cover because it isn’t a safety issue. Seeing as how I nearly got ran over by an 18 wheeler, I’d say that it is a safety issue and my mechanic assures me it is not normal to have to replace coil packs this early. Since the problems are intermittent and no code shows up until the could pack fails, it is unsafe to drive. I’ve also noticed many people having the same problem on several complaint web sites. Someone is going to get hurt or killed.

NHTSA ODI #11473900

98,200 miles · Jul 13, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 58 MPH, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. While the contact was pulling over to the side of the roadway to see where the sound was coming from, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact attempted to restart the vehi…

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The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 58 MPH, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. While the contact was pulling over to the side of the roadway to see where the sound was coming from, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was unable to speak with a representative at the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The failure mileage was 98,200.

NHTSA ODI #11473685

144,200 miles · Jun 24, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, smoke was coming in through the A/C vents. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that a lack of engine oil caused the vehicle to overheat as there was no engin…

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The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, smoke was coming in through the A/C vents. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that a lack of engine oil caused the vehicle to overheat as there was no engine lubricant. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to two other independent mechanics where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced due to excessive oil consumption however, the contact had been completing oil changes every 3,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the engine replacement however, the dealer informed the contact that he would be responsible for the cost of the repair due to the vehicle mileage. The vehicle was then taken to a second dealer Greenway Kia West Palm Beach (735 S Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415) who completed an engine update and informed the contact that he did not need an engine replacement; however, the failure recurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken back to the second dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 144,200.

NHTSA ODI #11470807

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion System

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 rum…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11468901

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2022
Engine

On June 5, 2022 at approx. 45 miles per hour, my 2017 Kia Forte just without warning shut off. Luckily there were no cars on the usually busy road so I immediately pulled over to the side of the road and put my emergency flashers on. Was able to start the car and drove another 3 miles home. In my driveway, I opened the hood a…

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On June 5, 2022 at approx. 45 miles per hour, my 2017 Kia Forte just without warning shut off. Luckily there were no cars on the usually busy road so I immediately pulled over to the side of the road and put my emergency flashers on. Was able to start the car and drove another 3 miles home. In my driveway, I opened the hood and smelled a burning smell and a slight coolant smell ( although the operating temp gauge read normal) , and I heard a knocking sound at the bottom of the engine. I turned the engine off, checked the oil level (normal) and coolant level (normal). I scanned the OBD and NO CODES came up. Called Kia dealership (the car is still under warranty with 76000 miles but they cannot look at the car until July 1.

NHTSA ODI #11468762

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion System

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 ab…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11467592

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2022
Engine

I have only had the car about a year. Bought it used and within 7-10 months I’ve had to get spark plugs replaced, and ignition coil replaced as well. I’m having this issue once again after getting the things about fixed in January of 2022. It is now may of 2022 and I’m still having the same issue. I’ve read online that this is a…

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I have only had the car about a year. Bought it used and within 7-10 months I’ve had to get spark plugs replaced, and ignition coil replaced as well. I’m having this issue once again after getting the things about fixed in January of 2022. It is now may of 2022 and I’m still having the same issue. I’ve read online that this is a recurring theme with this model.

NHTSA ODI #11463706

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2022
Engine

I was driving and the oil light came up on the dash blinking at first and then solid then the acceleration went down and then the battery light came on and my car didn’t accelerate anymore. It also smelled like burning gas or oil and then I turned it off and had it towed. My car won’t even start anymore after turning it off.

NHTSA ODI #11450412

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2021
Engine

My car is constantly stalling and I have nearly gotten into several accidents because it would stall at red lights, or while driving, turning it stalls. In order to keep it from stalling have to keep putting it into neutral. I can't get a proper scan on it because the engine light isn't on. This has been happening for about …

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My car is constantly stalling and I have nearly gotten into several accidents because it would stall at red lights, or while driving, turning it stalls. In order to keep it from stalling have to keep putting it into neutral. I can't get a proper scan on it because the engine light isn't on. This has been happening for about 2 months and it is getting worse. I have under 50,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI #11445372

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2021
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I got this car in January, it's only October and my speed doesn't accelerate. When I step on the gas pedal there is a huge kick and my RPM goes from under one to 4 or 5 to get to 20mph. I noticed that I could change the drive to D1 and D2 but when driving and going over 30mph my car is in D6. I have yet to find a solution. No wa…

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I got this car in January, it's only October and my speed doesn't accelerate. When I step on the gas pedal there is a huge kick and my RPM goes from under one to 4 or 5 to get to 20mph. I noticed that I could change the drive to D1 and D2 but when driving and going over 30mph my car is in D6. I have yet to find a solution. No warning lights have come on yet but I don't want it to get to that point before having the car for a year.

NHTSA ODI #11435366

Official recalls

3

22V031000 · Air Bags

Jan 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: 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.

21V622000 · Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:latch

Aug 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

21V260000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pump

Apr 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.