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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

301 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2018
Steering

2017 KIA FORTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRACKING NOISES ON STEERING WHEEL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11032408

3,000 miles · Mar 19, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO A COLLISION SHOP. IT WAS NOT YET DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO A COLLISION SHOP. IT WAS NOT YET DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR PAIN AND BRUISING, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ODI #11080209

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11073460

9,500 miles · Jan 9, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) AND FORWARD COLLISION WARNING (FCW) SYSTEMS ON MY VEHICLE NEVER ACTIVATE WHEN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS ARE OBVIOUS FOR THE AEB AND FCW TO ACTIVATE. EVEN HOME-SPUN SYSTEM TESTS DON'T SHOW THE SYSTEMS TO BE OPERATIONAL. THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND REPAIR CENTER CANNOT VALIDATE THE SYSTEM'S INTEG…

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THE AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) AND FORWARD COLLISION WARNING (FCW) SYSTEMS ON MY VEHICLE NEVER ACTIVATE WHEN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS ARE OBVIOUS FOR THE AEB AND FCW TO ACTIVATE. EVEN HOME-SPUN SYSTEM TESTS DON'T SHOW THE SYSTEMS TO BE OPERATIONAL. THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND REPAIR CENTER CANNOT VALIDATE THE SYSTEM'S INTEGRITY BECAUSE THEY CANNOT ACCOMPLISH DEFINITIVE TESTS TO VERIFY THE SYSTEM. THEY SAY "WE DON'T KNOW." THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MUST BE RESOLVED. THIS ISSUE IS ONGOING.

NHTSA ODI #11061481

6,150 miles · Dec 28, 2017
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemCrashInjury

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11057064

2,900 miles · Aug 18, 2017
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD, SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD CLEARLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERYTHING FROM THE DASHBOARD REFLECTED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (GRIECO KIA OF DELRAY BEACH, 2255 S FEDERAL HWY, DELRAY BEACH, FL, 334…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD, SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD CLEARLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERYTHING FROM THE DASHBOARD REFLECTED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (GRIECO KIA OF DELRAY BEACH, 2255 S FEDERAL HWY, DELRAY BEACH, FL, 33483) WHO STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED THE CONTACT A COVER FOR THE DASHBOARD, BUT THE COVER DID NOT FIT AND ALSO COVERED THE AIR BAGS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,900.

NHTSA ODI #11016226

6,200 miles · Jul 11, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED RIGHT AND LEFT RANDOMLY. THE FAILURE PERSISTED WHILE DRIVING ON CURVY ROADS. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12402933. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,200.

NHTSA ODI #11004256

1,975 miles · Jul 10, 2017
EnginePower TrainSteering

THE VEHICLE IS THE S MODEL, NEW FOR 2017, I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MILES SINCE LEASING IT IN SEPTEMBER 2016. THE CAR HAS POOR ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY GOING UP HILLS AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC (MOVING, CITY). IT HESITATES AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS (FROM A DEAD STOP). THE VEHICLE TENDS TO SWAY SIDE TO SIDE FROM TIME …

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THE VEHICLE IS THE S MODEL, NEW FOR 2017, I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MILES SINCE LEASING IT IN SEPTEMBER 2016. THE CAR HAS POOR ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY GOING UP HILLS AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC (MOVING, CITY). IT HESITATES AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS (FROM A DEAD STOP). THE VEHICLE TENDS TO SWAY SIDE TO SIDE FROM TIME TO TIME (MOVING, CITY), THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY TWO DIFFERENT KIA DEALERS. A TECHNICIAN HAS RODE ALONG WITH ME; FELT MY CONCERNS, BUT CANNOT DUPLICATE IT. I WAS TOLD IN MARCH 2017 THAT THE COMPUTER HAD BEEN "TWEAKED", BUT NO FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA ODI #11004092

11,000 miles · Jun 9, 2017
Unknown Or Other

MY 2017 KIA FORTE S HAS FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM (FCWS) AND AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM. THE FCWS DOES NOT WORK IN THAT IT DOES NOT WARN ME OF IMPENDING COLLISION HAZZARDS. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THE AEBS WORKS AS THE FCWS TRIGGERS THAT SYSTEM. KIA TECHS HAVE NOT SHOWN ME THAT IT WORKS; I.E. WARNING AUDIBLE NOR WAR…

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MY 2017 KIA FORTE S HAS FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM (FCWS) AND AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM. THE FCWS DOES NOT WORK IN THAT IT DOES NOT WARN ME OF IMPENDING COLLISION HAZZARDS. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THE AEBS WORKS AS THE FCWS TRIGGERS THAT SYSTEM. KIA TECHS HAVE NOT SHOWN ME THAT IT WORKS; I.E. WARNING AUDIBLE NOR WARNING IMAGE ON LCD DISPLAY. I HAVE TRIED RUNNING UP ON A CAR IN FRONT OF ME UNTIL ABOUT 10 FEET BACK AT 50-60 MPH WITH NO WARNING THEN I MANUALLY APPLIED THE BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI #10994176

2,500 miles · May 15, 2017
Electrical System

VOLUME BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL VOLUME UP TURNS VOLUME DOWN, MUTE BUTTON TURNS VOLUME UP.

NHTSA ODI #10985865

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.