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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 · Aug 19, 2025
Engine

Car started hesitating the RED OIL LIGHT came on on the dash it flickered on and off for a few days but and still goes on and off now but 90% of the time it stays on while car is in use. I don't have an oil leak and I'm not low on fluid. I believe foreign particles are getting clogged in oil pump and or filter. Most 2017 kia for…

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Car started hesitating the RED OIL LIGHT came on on the dash it flickered on and off for a few days but and still goes on and off now but 90% of the time it stays on while car is in use. I don't have an oil leak and I'm not low on fluid. I believe foreign particles are getting clogged in oil pump and or filter. Most 2017 kia fortes already have a recall for this. I don't understand why mine isn't recalled also. Plz help. If I have engine damage and car stalls it could be a safety hazard for me and others. I have small children. Please help.

NHTSA ODI #11681500

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2025
Engine

My car is experiencing signs of the Kia Oil Pump recall that my VIN was not included in. However, I believe that needs to be reevaluated, as my car is having those same issues, as in engine failure due to oil pump issues. My car is now currently unable to turn on due to this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11678342

134,071 miles · Aug 4, 2025
Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that on several occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds and coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after each failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was discovered that there was debris from the skirt found in …

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The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that on several occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds and coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after each failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was discovered that there was debris from the skirt found in the oil, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact believed that the failure was associated with an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,071.

NHTSA ODI #11678242

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2025
EngineCrash

Unknown vehicle just went dead while driving

NHTSA ODI #11676143

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion System

There is high oil consumption in my catalytic converter due to a failed oil pump or piston ring. I've just got this car in march haven't even put 10,000 miles on it. Kept up with maintenance oil changes. And currently undrivable.

NHTSA ODI #11675777

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2025
Engine

Stalling when slowing or stopping.

NHTSA ODI #11675014

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2025
Engine

I have been financing this vehicle since [XXX], I was driving to Tucson, AZ from Flagstaff, AZ. About 30 minutes into my drive my car made a loud noise, the engine and oil lights came on at the same time, my car started shaking and the engine was smoking. I have never experienced anything like that and I was extremely fearful fo…

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I have been financing this vehicle since [XXX], I was driving to Tucson, AZ from Flagstaff, AZ. About 30 minutes into my drive my car made a loud noise, the engine and oil lights came on at the same time, my car started shaking and the engine was smoking. I have never experienced anything like that and I was extremely fearful for my life. I was alone on the interstate for some hours before I could figure out how to get back to Flagstaff… I got my car towed to a mechanic, they ran diagnostics and said my car has catastrophic engine failure, one of the rods shot through the engine. They found a used engine to replace my engine with, but the quote is nearly $8,000. The car itself is about $11,000. I am making minimum wage, I am already struggling to make ends meet as is, I poured a lot of money into that vehicle and I really trusted Camelback Subaru to help get me into a safe, reliable car to help me get to work and live my life, I just never imagined something like this would happen. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11674009

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2025
Engine

At ~84,000 miles the car started to ride rough. The engine would stall out while driving 55mph. I would have to roll off to the side of the road and try to restart the car. I took it to the dealership. They found metal flakes in the oil pan and now the engine is totaled. When googling 2017 Kia forte, this was a common manufactur…

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At ~84,000 miles the car started to ride rough. The engine would stall out while driving 55mph. I would have to roll off to the side of the road and try to restart the car. I took it to the dealership. They found metal flakes in the oil pan and now the engine is totaled. When googling 2017 Kia forte, this was a common manufacturer defect that resulted in a large class action lawsuit. My VIN isnt covered for any of these repairs.

NHTSA ODI #11666577

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2025
Electrical SystemStructure

Unknown

NHTSA ODI #11664251

72,185 miles · May 19, 2025
Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over, but the steering wheel and the brake pedal was stiff and almost unresponsive. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle …

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The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over, but the steering wheel and the brake pedal was stiff and almost unresponsive. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and observed that the check engine warning light was flashing. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and replaced the ignition coils and spark plugs. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,185.

NHTSA ODI #11661817

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.