IllustrationWHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD.... I STOPPED AND HAD A PERSON STOP AND HE LOOKED UNDER HOOD TO SEE A GAS LINE BROKE AND WAS MAKING ITS WAY ON THE MOTOR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Forte years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
430–25K
3425–50K
1850–75K
1875–100K
16100–150K
6150K+
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
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
29 reportsWHILE DRIVING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN INCREASED VIBRATION. THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF WHEN COASTING AND TURN BACK ON WHEN ACCELERATING. BY THE TIME I GOT HOME THE VIBRATIONS CONTINUED EVEN WHEN IN PARK AS WELL AS NOT ACCELERAING. ENGINE CODE P0303 WAS READ FROM THE ENGINE LIGHT. I HAVE NOW REPLACED THE SECOND…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN INCREASED VIBRATION. THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF WHEN COASTING AND TURN BACK ON WHEN ACCELERATING. BY THE TIME I GOT HOME THE VIBRATIONS CONTINUED EVEN WHEN IN PARK AS WELL AS NOT ACCELERAING. ENGINE CODE P0303 WAS READ FROM THE ENGINE LIGHT. I HAVE NOW REPLACED THE SECOND COIL PACK ON A CYLINDER IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS.
WHEN DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON CAUSES CAR TO LOSE POWER AND STARTS TO SHAKE I WAS COMING UP A HILL AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED HAVE TAKEN TO KIA PLACE TWICE NOW AND I WAS TOLD CAN'T BE FIXED UNTIL A RECALL COMES OUT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO BE DRIVING WITH MY KIDS I PAY A GOOD PENNY FOR MY VEHICLE NOW CAN'T DRIVE I…
Read full complaint
WHEN DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON CAUSES CAR TO LOSE POWER AND STARTS TO SHAKE I WAS COMING UP A HILL AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED HAVE TAKEN TO KIA PLACE TWICE NOW AND I WAS TOLD CAN'T BE FIXED UNTIL A RECALL COMES OUT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO BE DRIVING WITH MY KIDS I PAY A GOOD PENNY FOR MY VEHICLE NOW CAN'T DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE IT'S CONSTANT
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WITHOUT ANY OBVIOUS CAUSE, ACCELERATION IS DELAYED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THEN THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY REV HIGH WITHOUT SHIFTING UP. THE PROBLEM BEGAN ABOUT ONE YEAR OR 5000 MILES INTO OWNERSHIP OF THE NEW VEHICLE.
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 300 MILES ONE THIS PARTICULAR TANK OF GAS, SO I'M CERTAIN THAT THE FUEL GAUGE IS CORRECT; THE GAS LIGHT IS ALSO ON. I PARKED AT A GAS STATION AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED TO FILL THE TANK, BUT THE FUEL WILL NOT GO IN. THE FUEL SPLASHES BACK OUT AND WILL NOT GO…
Read full complaint
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 300 MILES ONE THIS PARTICULAR TANK OF GAS, SO I'M CERTAIN THAT THE FUEL GAUGE IS CORRECT; THE GAS LIGHT IS ALSO ON. I PARKED AT A GAS STATION AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED TO FILL THE TANK, BUT THE FUEL WILL NOT GO IN. THE FUEL SPLASHES BACK OUT AND WILL NOT GO INTO THE TANK.
IGNITIONS COIL SPRINGS PART KIA 27303 2E601QQK WAS REPLACED BY KIA DELALER AS PART OF A RECALL ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. WHEN I ARRIVED , SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT I WAS THERE FOR OIL CHANGE AND TWO RECALLS. I SET APPT. FOR OIL CHANGE, WAS UNAWARE OF RECALL TILL DEALERSHIP SERVICE ADVISOR MENTIONED. WHEN I CHECKED WITH NHTSA NO…
Read full complaint
IGNITIONS COIL SPRINGS PART KIA 27303 2E601QQK WAS REPLACED BY KIA DELALER AS PART OF A RECALL ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. WHEN I ARRIVED , SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT I WAS THERE FOR OIL CHANGE AND TWO RECALLS. I SET APPT. FOR OIL CHANGE, WAS UNAWARE OF RECALL TILL DEALERSHIP SERVICE ADVISOR MENTIONED. WHEN I CHECKED WITH NHTSA NO RECALL IS LISTED. KIA NEVER SENT LETTER REQUESTING WE BRING IN CAR FOR RECALL PARTS. IN ADDITION THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO 2ND PART REPLACEMENT DUE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. YDM REAR COMBINATION LAMP.
HELLO: FORTE HAS INTERMITTENT STRONG GAS SMELL THRU VENTS. IS AT DEALER FOR SECOND TIME. TO ME HTTPS://WWW.NHTSA.GOV/RECALLS#VEHICLE PLEASE CONTACT US AND DEALER AS TO NEXT STEP FOR OUR SAFETY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
MY CAR THE GAS SHOOTS OUT ,I HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THIS WITH A NEW CAR MY ENGINE LIGHT BEEN ON FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT IT THIS CAR GAVE ME PROBLEMS EVERY TIME I BRING IT BACK THEY SAID JUST DROP IT OFF SO WE CAN TRY FIXING IT IT TAKE UP TO THREE DAYS ARE MORE PLUS THEY DON'T GIVE OUT LOANER CAR AT ALL SO HOW I SUPPOSE TO GET TO…
Read full complaint
MY CAR THE GAS SHOOTS OUT ,I HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THIS WITH A NEW CAR MY ENGINE LIGHT BEEN ON FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT IT THIS CAR GAVE ME PROBLEMS EVERY TIME I BRING IT BACK THEY SAID JUST DROP IT OFF SO WE CAN TRY FIXING IT IT TAKE UP TO THREE DAYS ARE MORE PLUS THEY DON'T GIVE OUT LOANER CAR AT ALL SO HOW I SUPPOSE TO GET TO WORK SO I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT LIKE THAT.I DON'T KNOW WHY I BROUGHT THIS CAR. IT WASTED MY MONEY AND TIME.
I WAS PARKING MY CAR YESTERDAY AT 7/11 AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT PILLAR. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE SEEN A BLOG WHERE DOZENS OF FORTE OWNERS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, SOMETIMES MORE THAN ONCE. I WAS INJURED AND THE CAR NEEDS $9000 IN REPAIRS, ALSO I AM SURE MY INSURANCE WILL INCR…
Read full complaint
I WAS PARKING MY CAR YESTERDAY AT 7/11 AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT PILLAR. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE SEEN A BLOG WHERE DOZENS OF FORTE OWNERS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, SOMETIMES MORE THAN ONCE. I WAS INJURED AND THE CAR NEEDS $9000 IN REPAIRS, ALSO I AM SURE MY INSURANCE WILL INCREASE.
Official recalls
322V031000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.