NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
301 reports23,000 miles · Jan 25, 2019
Unknown Or Other
THERE WERE SOME PARTS RECALLED, WHICH I HAS REPLACED AT 20,000 MILES. AT 23,000 MILES ON A TRIP THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AS IF NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS OR AS IF THE TIMING WAS OFF. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, EVEN AFTER RETURNING CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR 4 DAYS AFTER WHICH THEY COULDN'T FIND A P…
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THERE WERE SOME PARTS RECALLED, WHICH I HAS REPLACED AT 20,000 MILES. AT 23,000 MILES ON A TRIP THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AS IF NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS OR AS IF THE TIMING WAS OFF. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, EVEN AFTER RETURNING CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR 4 DAYS AFTER WHICH THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. WHILE OUT OF TOWN ON A TRIP THE ENGINE LIGHT AND SPUTTERING CONTINUES. I HAVE ALWAYS BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP EVERY 5,000 MILES OF OIL CHANGE/MAINTENANCE. NOW AT 24,400 MILES I'M HESITANT ABOUT DRIVING A CAR I PURCHASED BRAND NEW.
NHTSA ODI #11172139
46,000 miles · Jan 25, 2019
Air BagsSeat BeltsSteeringCrashInjury
ACCELERATING BETWEEN 35MPH AND 45MPH, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DRIVER LET OFF GAS AND ATTEMPTED BRAKES WHICH DID NOT ENGAGE. VEHICLE STRUCK GUARDRAIL ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE THEN DID A 180, DRIVER SIDE DOOR THEN COLLIDED WITH THE GUARDRAIL. DRIVER SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOY…
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ACCELERATING BETWEEN 35MPH AND 45MPH, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DRIVER LET OFF GAS AND ATTEMPTED BRAKES WHICH DID NOT ENGAGE. VEHICLE STRUCK GUARDRAIL ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE THEN DID A 180, DRIVER SIDE DOOR THEN COLLIDED WITH THE GUARDRAIL. DRIVER SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES INCLUDING WHIPLASH AND HEAD INJURY. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING DOWN A 2 LANE CITY ROAD. VEHICLE HAD 46,000 MILES AND WAS JUST SERVICED BY KIA DEALER.
NHTSA ODI #11172094
22,500 miles · Jan 17, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
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
NHTSA ODI #11170652
15,206 miles · Dec 31, 2018
Engine
WHILE SITTING IDLE FOR OVER 45 MINUTES THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE. WHEN I BEGAN TO DRIVE IT SHOOK AND DID NOT PICK UP AS IT SHOULD WHEN DRIVING. WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IT VIBRATES WORSE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SCHEFULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR JANUARY 4,2019 BUT RECEIVED A CALL TODAY (DECEMBER 31, 3018)TO RESCHEDULE FOR …
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WHILE SITTING IDLE FOR OVER 45 MINUTES THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE. WHEN I BEGAN TO DRIVE IT SHOOK AND DID NOT PICK UP AS IT SHOULD WHEN DRIVING. WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IT VIBRATES WORSE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SCHEFULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR JANUARY 4,2019 BUT RECEIVED A CALL TODAY (DECEMBER 31, 3018)TO RESCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 18,2019. I'VE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM A LITTLE LEERY IN DRIVING THE CAR SINCE THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T HAVE LOANERS AND I MUST CONTINUE WITH MY DAY TO DAY LIVING. I AM NOT DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THIS PROBLEM. STATED EARLIER
NHTSA ODI #11164302
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2018
Engine
2017 KIA FORTE I BUY THIS CAR BRAND NEW BACK IN DECEMBER 22, 2017 AND LAST MONTH THE CAR START TO SHAKE WHILE I'M DRIVING THEN IT START TO JERK AS IF ITS GETTING READY TO TURN OFF. 3 DAYS A GO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I ONLY DRIVE THIS CAR TO WORK CHURCH NO LONG DISTANCE TRIPS OR ANYTHING I HAVE BEEN GETTING MY OIL CHAN…
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2017 KIA FORTE I BUY THIS CAR BRAND NEW BACK IN DECEMBER 22, 2017 AND LAST MONTH THE CAR START TO SHAKE WHILE I'M DRIVING THEN IT START TO JERK AS IF ITS GETTING READY TO TURN OFF. 3 DAYS A GO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I ONLY DRIVE THIS CAR TO WORK CHURCH NO LONG DISTANCE TRIPS OR ANYTHING I HAVE BEEN GETTING MY OIL CHANGE AND EVERYTHING THAT TO HELP WITH UP KEEP OF MY CAR SO WAS THINKING MY CAR IS A LEMON.
NHTSA ODI #11156782
20,000 miles · Oct 15, 2018
Wheels
I EXPERIENCED 2 SPONTANEOUS TIRE BLOWOUTS, ON 8/25/18 AND 10/4/18. I HAD HAD THE TIRES ROTATED AND CHECKED ON 8/23/18. NEXEN HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO GET THIS RESOLVED.
NHTSA ODI #11140483
20,000 miles · Oct 11, 2018
Wheels
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 55 IN NJ AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE POPPED AND SHE PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO THE SHOULDER. A DRIVER FOR NJDOT ARRIVED AND TOLD US THE TIRE WAS DRY ROTTED. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD US THE TIRE WASNT DEFECTIVE. I'M NOT AN EXPERT BUT I FEEL THE TIRE MAY BE DEFECTIVE. THE CAR…
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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 55 IN NJ AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE POPPED AND SHE PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO THE SHOULDER. A DRIVER FOR NJDOT ARRIVED AND TOLD US THE TIRE WAS DRY ROTTED. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD US THE TIRE WASNT DEFECTIVE. I'M NOT AN EXPERT BUT I FEEL THE TIRE MAY BE DEFECTIVE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 20,00 MILES AND WE HAD THE CAR IN A WEEK PRIOR AND THE TIRES WERE WRITTEN UP AS HAVING 8/32".NEXEN TIRE. PLEASE LOOK AT PICTURES ENCLOSED. PLEASE NOTE WE HAVE THE DEFECTIVE TIRE IN OUR POSSESSION ALONG WITH A ANOTHER TIRE FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11139889
5 miles · Sep 14, 2018
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OEM FACTORY WIPER FAILED TO FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, IT IMPACTED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE DEALER (DESTINATION KIA, 760 CENTRAL AVENUE, ALBANY, NEW YORK 12206, 518-482-0500) STATED THAT THE WIPERS FUNCTIONED NORMALL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OEM FACTORY WIPER FAILED TO FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, IT IMPACTED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE DEALER (DESTINATION KIA, 760 CENTRAL AVENUE, ALBANY, NEW YORK 12206, 518-482-0500) STATED THAT THE WIPERS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER MENTIONED A BUY BACK OFFER, BUT DID NOT ASSIST WITH REPLACING THE FRONT PASSENGER WIPER. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE PART WAS NOT REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5.
NHTSA ODI #11129498
36,000 miles · Sep 5, 2018
Electrical System
ON MARCH 1, VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 10 MIN ON A COLD DAY AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A FEW HOURS AND 'ENGINE OVEHEATED' CAME UP ON THE DISPLAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE FOLLOWING DAY TO CABLE DAHMER KIA WHERE THEY SAID THE CAUSE WAS AN ELECTRICAL GLITCH AND THAT THE CAR WAS FINE. ON AUGUST 3RD, I CONTACTED CABLE DAHMER KIA BECAU…
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ON MARCH 1, VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 10 MIN ON A COLD DAY AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A FEW HOURS AND 'ENGINE OVEHEATED' CAME UP ON THE DISPLAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE FOLLOWING DAY TO CABLE DAHMER KIA WHERE THEY SAID THE CAUSE WAS AN ELECTRICAL GLITCH AND THAT THE CAR WAS FINE. ON AUGUST 3RD, I CONTACTED CABLE DAHMER KIA BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IDLING EXTREMELY LOW/STALLING. DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A LOANER CAR BUT THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW WHEN ONE BECAUSE AVAILABLE. WAS DRIVING ON AUGUST 7TH WHEN CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF WHILE GOING 45MPH DOWN THE ROAD. ALL FUNCTIONALITY WAS LOST. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ROADSIDE WAS DISPATCHED. DEALER PROVIDED LOANER AND HAD THE CAR UNTIL AUGUST 23RD. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CONCERN AND CORPORATE ASKED THAT I PICK THE VEHICLE UP. CORPORATE STATED TO ME THAT CAR WAS FUNCTIONAL AND I DID NOT HAVE A LEGITIMATE CONCERN, EVEN WITH MY VIDEO PROOF OF THE ISSUE. SEPTEMBER 4TH ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND HAD VIDEO FOOTAGE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT CORPORATE UNWILLING TO EXCHANGE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11124665
20,000 miles · Aug 28, 2018
Wheels
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I EXPERIENCED A SPONTANEOUS REAR RIGHT TIRE BLOWOUT. THERE WERE NO POTHOLES. I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP COULD FIND NO CAUSE. THEY SAID IT WAS A "FLUKE".
NHTSA ODI #11123087
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 ↗