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
What owners actually said
301 reports
3,800 miles · Mar 29, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE HAD MY 2017 KIA FORTE FOR 3 MONTHS AND IN THE VEEY BEGINNING IT DROVE FINE. RECENTLY THE CAR HAS BECOME VERY SLUGGISH AND BECAME INCREASINGLY HARD TO ACCELERATE. I NOTICED IT BUT BRUSHED IT OFF. THIS PAST WEEKEND I LET SOMEONE DRIVE MY CAR AND THEY COMPLAINED ABOUT HOW HARD IT WAS TO ACCELERATE. THAT'S WHEN I KNEW THAT IT…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD MY 2017 KIA FORTE FOR 3 MONTHS AND IN THE VEEY BEGINNING IT DROVE FINE. RECENTLY THE CAR HAS BECOME VERY SLUGGISH AND BECAME INCREASINGLY HARD TO ACCELERATE. I NOTICED IT BUT BRUSHED IT OFF. THIS PAST WEEKEND I LET SOMEONE DRIVE MY CAR AND THEY COMPLAINED ABOUT HOW HARD IT WAS TO ACCELERATE. THAT'S WHEN I KNEW THAT IT WASN'T JUST ME. TODAY, AS I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE AN UNPROTECTED LEFT TURN THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND I WAS CAUGHT IN THE INTERSECTION LONGER THAN I NEEDED TO BE. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT COULD HAVE ENDED BADLY. I THINK THIS PROBLEM NEEDS LOOKING INTO. I SHOULD NOT BE HOLDING UP TRAFFIC BECAUSE MY CAR DOESN'T ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD WHEN I AM FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY.
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.
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.
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.
2017 Kia Forte Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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