NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
301 reports3,000 miles · May 2, 2019
Electrical System
THE FINGER PRESS FAILS TO START WHEN PARKED IN HOT SUN. IT WILL THEN START WITH PRESSING THE KEY ON BUTTON- THEN A NOTICE APPEARS THAT THE KEY IS NOT PRESENT. BUT, CAR THEN RUNS FINE. WHEN I STOP ENGINE A NOTICE SAYS THE KEY BATTERY IS WEAK (BATTERY WAS REPLACED 4 DAYS AGO). LAST YEAR THIS HAPPENED AND SHOP FOUND AN INTERNAL…
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THE FINGER PRESS FAILS TO START WHEN PARKED IN HOT SUN. IT WILL THEN START WITH PRESSING THE KEY ON BUTTON- THEN A NOTICE APPEARS THAT THE KEY IS NOT PRESENT. BUT, CAR THEN RUNS FINE. WHEN I STOP ENGINE A NOTICE SAYS THE KEY BATTERY IS WEAK (BATTERY WAS REPLACED 4 DAYS AGO). LAST YEAR THIS HAPPENED AND SHOP FOUND AN INTERNAL SHORT IN THE SMART KEY ANTENNA. IT DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN THEN TILL ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS AGO.
NHTSA ODI #11205397
19,959 miles · May 2, 2019
Wheels
I WAS GOING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY, WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN, I HEARD A LOUD POP ANF CAR STARTED SHAKING. THE HAZARD LIGHT CAME ON AND LOW TIRE PRESSURE AS I WAS TRYING TO CAREFULLY EXIT HWY. MY DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY BUSTED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE THAT HAS BLOWN. LAST YEAR IT WAS MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AN…
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I WAS GOING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY, WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN, I HEARD A LOUD POP ANF CAR STARTED SHAKING. THE HAZARD LIGHT CAME ON AND LOW TIRE PRESSURE AS I WAS TRYING TO CAREFULLY EXIT HWY. MY DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY BUSTED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE THAT HAS BLOWN. LAST YEAR IT WAS MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND IT ONLY HAD 12MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED. MY CAR CURRENY HAD LESS THAN 20 000 MILES ON IT. ..IN BOTH EVENTS, I DID NOT RUN OVER ANYYTHING NOR OBSERVED ANY POTHOLES OR UNEVEN ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #11205314
7,298 miles · Apr 30, 2019
EngineExterior Lighting
LEAKING OIL IN THE IN THE OIL PAN GASKET, ALSO A NOTORIOUS CORROSION IN THE ALUMINUM ENGINE BLOCK, THE KIA HAVE LESS THAN YEAR, WHEN I TAKE INTO THE OIL CHANGE, THE DEALER DID A INSPECTION IN THE CAR, BUT NEVER MENTIONED THE LEAKING OIL FROM THE OIL GASKET PAN. THE SECOND PROBLEMS THE BREAK LIGHTS BULBS CONSTANTLY KEEP BURNING…
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LEAKING OIL IN THE IN THE OIL PAN GASKET, ALSO A NOTORIOUS CORROSION IN THE ALUMINUM ENGINE BLOCK, THE KIA HAVE LESS THAN YEAR, WHEN I TAKE INTO THE OIL CHANGE, THE DEALER DID A INSPECTION IN THE CAR, BUT NEVER MENTIONED THE LEAKING OIL FROM THE OIL GASKET PAN. THE SECOND PROBLEMS THE BREAK LIGHTS BULBS CONSTANTLY KEEP BURNING IN THE BACK DRIVER SIDE A THE PASSENGERS SIDE. IN ONE YEAR I REPLACED 5 LIGHT BULBS.
NHTSA ODI #11204652
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
KIA FORTE DRIVERSIDE FRONT HEAD LIGHT ON LOW BEAMS WILL NOT COME ON. DEALER STATES PART IS ON BACK ORDER WHEN HAVING OIL CHANGE DONE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. IN THREE WEEKS WILL NEED CAR TO DRIVE POSSIBLE AT NIGHT TO CHILD COLLEGE GRADUATION THROUGH MOUNTAINS. DO NOT KNOW IF OTHER HEAD LAMP WILL MALFUNCTION AND STOP WORKING. THE DRIVE…
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KIA FORTE DRIVERSIDE FRONT HEAD LIGHT ON LOW BEAMS WILL NOT COME ON. DEALER STATES PART IS ON BACK ORDER WHEN HAVING OIL CHANGE DONE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. IN THREE WEEKS WILL NEED CAR TO DRIVE POSSIBLE AT NIGHT TO CHILD COLLEGE GRADUATION THROUGH MOUNTAINS. DO NOT KNOW IF OTHER HEAD LAMP WILL MALFUNCTION AND STOP WORKING. THE DRIVERSIDE WAS GOING AND OUT NOW STAYS OFF. VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA ODI #11202593
32,769 miles · Apr 18, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #11197186
5,000 miles · Mar 17, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
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.
NHTSA ODI #11187357
5,000 miles · Mar 17, 2019
Unknown Or Other
THE FUEL DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. PULLING THE LATCH THE FIRST TIME WILL NOT OPEN THE FUEL DOOR. I MUST INSERT SOMETHING SUCH AS A CREDIT CARD, OR TRY TO PRY THE FUEL DOOR WITH MY FINGERS, AND THEN TRY THE LATCH AGAIN BEFORE THE FUEL DOOR WILL OPEN. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR MORE THAN 12 MONTHS.
NHTSA ODI #11187356
11,800 miles · Mar 17, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11187355
17,200 miles · Mar 14, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVisibility/wiper
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11186962
3,612 miles · Feb 22, 2019
Electrical System
MY BATTERY HAS FAILED TO START MY CAR TWICE IN A MONTH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER; THEY RAN IT THROUGH THE COMPUTER; THE BATTERY CAME BACK 'FUNCTIONAL'. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AT ALL LAST YEAR! THEIR REMEDY WAS TO DRIVE MORE OR INSTALL A 'TRICKLE CHARGER' ON THE BATTERY. (THIS CAR IS A LEASE; I HAVE HAD IT FOR 1.5 YEARS--PUTTING 3…
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MY BATTERY HAS FAILED TO START MY CAR TWICE IN A MONTH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER; THEY RAN IT THROUGH THE COMPUTER; THE BATTERY CAME BACK 'FUNCTIONAL'. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AT ALL LAST YEAR! THEIR REMEDY WAS TO DRIVE MORE OR INSTALL A 'TRICKLE CHARGER' ON THE BATTERY. (THIS CAR IS A LEASE; I HAVE HAD IT FOR 1.5 YEARS--PUTTING 3,600 MILES ON IT.) I HAD MY PREVIOUS CAR FOR TWENTY YEARS WITHOUT EVER HAVING THIS KIND OF ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING VERY LOW MILES FOR YEARS WITHOUT A BATTERY ISSUE. THOUGHTS?
NHTSA ODI #11181994
Official recalls
3Jan 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.
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.
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 ↗