Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
200–25K
1125–50K
750–75K
275–100K
8100–150K
3150K+
51 reports with mileage · 85 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 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports3 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
136 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2021
EngineCrash
I GOT MY 18 KIA WAS PURCHASED WITH 25K MILES ON IT AND WHEN IT GOT AROUND 72,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED TO SHUT OFF, MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AT TIMES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO KIA AND GAVE THEM ALL MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. THEY SAID I WAS MISSING 1 MAYBE 2 SO IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED. SO PICKED THE VEHICLE U…
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I GOT MY 18 KIA WAS PURCHASED WITH 25K MILES ON IT AND WHEN IT GOT AROUND 72,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED TO SHUT OFF, MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AT TIMES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO KIA AND GAVE THEM ALL MY OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. THEY SAID I WAS MISSING 1 MAYBE 2 SO IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED. SO PICKED THE VEHICLE UP TOOK IT BY O RILEY'S WHERE THEY TESTED IT AND SAID IT WAS A CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WE REPLACED THAT AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WE'VE BEEN DRIVING IT BECAUSE IT'S OUR ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION SO TODAY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IT AND THANKFULLY NOT GOING VERY FAST WHEN IT CUT OFF, MY HUSBAND TRIED TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO RESTART AND ENDED UP GOING DOWN A HILL AND HIT A TREE. KIA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE! MY HUSBAND COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY HURT AND THANK GOD I WAS NOT IN IT I'M PREGNANT NOR MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN. THIS HAS REALLY MADE ME NOT EVER WANT ANOTHER KIA OR WILL I EVER RECOMMEND ONE TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER! WHAT'S KIA WAITING FOR TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? SOMEONE TO DIE FIRST BECAUSE THE CAR CUTS OFF IN TRAFFIC AND YOU GET SLAMMED!!! WHAT IF THIS WAS A TEENAGE IN THEIR FIRST CAR THEY WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO I BARLEY KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN IT STALLS I'M TRAFFIC. JUST RIDICULOUS!*DT
NHTSA ODI #11404920
41,000 miles · Jan 18, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower TrainCrash
NOTE: THE INDIVIDUAL SUBMITTING THIS STATEMENT OF FACTS IS PREPARED AND WILLING TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS OR ANY COURT OF LAW THAT ALL OF WHICH THAT IS CONTAINED WITHIN THIS SUBMISSION IS BASED ON FACTS AND TRUTH . ALSO LET IT BE KNOWN A DEGREE IN "APPLIED SCIENCE IN AUTOMOTIVE & DIESEL TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED DRILL FLUIDS TECH…
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NOTE: THE INDIVIDUAL SUBMITTING THIS STATEMENT OF FACTS IS PREPARED AND WILLING TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS OR ANY COURT OF LAW THAT ALL OF WHICH THAT IS CONTAINED WITHIN THIS SUBMISSION IS BASED ON FACTS AND TRUTH . ALSO LET IT BE KNOWN A DEGREE IN "APPLIED SCIENCE IN AUTOMOTIVE & DIESEL TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED DRILL FLUIDS TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING" IS HELD BY THIS INDIVIDUAL AND THE LATER DEGREE DEALS WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING OF NEWTONIAN AND NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS (I.E.> WATER BASED AND OIL BASED FLUIDS SUCH AS A ENGINE OIL ) IS WELL WITHIN THE INDIVIDUALS UNDERSTANDING OF THE MOLECULAR CONSTRUCTION AND DECONSTRUCTION OF ELEMENTS . I WAS APPROACHED BY A FRIEND WHO HAD A SITUATION THAT REQUIRED QUICK ACTION IF ANY HOPES OF A REMEDY WERE TO PREVAIL , AND THE END RESULT FOR MYSELF WOULD BE OWNING A 2018 KIA FORTE . THE SAID VEHICLE HAD A TOTAL OF 41,117 MILES CALCULATED AND DISPLAYED ON THE INFORMATION DISPLAY ATTACHED TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER . THE VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED BY THE KIA DEALERSHIP AS PROMISED UP TO THE WARRANTY PERIOD OF 12000 MILES AS PROMISED BY KIA , AT NO EXTRA CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. AFTERWARDS THE 1ST ORIGINAL OWNER WOULD CONTINUE THE SCHEDULES SERVICE AS OUTLINED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL . THIS MAINTENANCE SERVICE WOULD ALWAYS BE PERFORMED AT THE OWNERS USUAL TRUSTED REPAIR SHOP AND IF NOT WITHIN THE AREA AT THE TIME SERVICE WAS NEEDED , A REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOP WOULD BE THE CHOICE . WITH A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE IN MY POSSESSION I SOON EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO METAL SHAVINGS CAUSING POOR OIL CIRCULATION AND PAIRED WITH SEVERAL OTHER FACTORS CAUSING SLUDGE BUILD UP WHICH RENDERED MY VEHICLE GARBAGE . THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED IT WAS DUE TO NEGLIGENCE AND IMPROPER MAINTENANCE . THE FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE DURING A THUNDERSTORM WITH FLASH FLOODING . "SATISFACTION GUARANTEE" IS A LIE !
NHTSA ODI #11388762
53,000 miles · Dec 4, 2020
Engine
53,000 NO WARNING WAS DRIVING ALONG A HIGHWAY CAR STARTED TO KNOCK. THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN CAR SHUTS OFF AND I PULL OVER. COME TO FIND OUT ENGINE THROUGH A ROD IN THE BLOCK AND WAS NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY SAID I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PROOF OIL WAS NEVER CHANGE EVEN THOUGH I GAVE THEM ALL MY RECEIPTS.
NHTSA ODI #11377876
30,186 miles · Nov 19, 2020
Unknown Or Other
GAS CAP COVER DOES NOT EFFECTIVELY OPEN WHEN I PULL THE LEVER INSIDE UNLESS I FIRST PUSH IN THE COVER. CAR IS STATIONARY.
NHTSA ODI #11375333
19,500 miles · Oct 13, 2020
Tires
I NEEDED TO TAKE MY CAR IN TO THE MECHANIC TO REPAIR A TIRE THAT HAD A NAIL IN IT. WHILE REPAIRING THE TIRE, I ASKED HIM TO ALSO CHECK THE TREAD OF THE TIRES. HE PRECEDED TO TELL ME THAT THE TREADS WERE STILL GOOD, BUT WHAT CONCERNED HIM WAS THE TREAD SEPARATION, CRACKING, AND DRY ROT THAT THE TIRES HAD. HE SAID THEY DEFINITE…
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I NEEDED TO TAKE MY CAR IN TO THE MECHANIC TO REPAIR A TIRE THAT HAD A NAIL IN IT. WHILE REPAIRING THE TIRE, I ASKED HIM TO ALSO CHECK THE TREAD OF THE TIRES. HE PRECEDED TO TELL ME THAT THE TREADS WERE STILL GOOD, BUT WHAT CONCERNED HIM WAS THE TREAD SEPARATION, CRACKING, AND DRY ROT THAT THE TIRES HAD. HE SAID THEY DEFINITELY NEED REPLACED BUT NOT BECAUSE OF TREAD. HE TOLD ME TO LOOK IN TO IT BECAUSE HE FELT THEY WERE DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11364196
68,000 miles · Sep 21, 2020
Engine
GOT MY CAR AT 60 MILES. THAT WAS A LIL OVER TWO YEARS AGO AND NOW MY CAR IS AT 68000. THE ENGINE IS STALLING AND IT'S NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. WHEN I HAVE TO BREAK OR EVEN BREAK PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE CAR CUTS OFF. NO LIGHTS ARE POPPING UP AND I'VE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE. I SEE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ON HERE WH…
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GOT MY CAR AT 60 MILES. THAT WAS A LIL OVER TWO YEARS AGO AND NOW MY CAR IS AT 68000. THE ENGINE IS STALLING AND IT'S NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. WHEN I HAVE TO BREAK OR EVEN BREAK PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE CAR CUTS OFF. NO LIGHTS ARE POPPING UP AND I'VE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE. I SEE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ON HERE WHO ARE ALSO HAVING THESE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #11360165
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2020
Engine
VEHICLE REPEATEDLY STALLS AND MUST BE RESTARTED WHEN TRAVELLING AT LOW SPEEDS. MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP BOTH RECOMMENDED REPLACING AFTERMARKET AUTOMATIC STARTER AND PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.
NHTSA ODI #11351298
184,000 miles · Aug 7, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury
IN LOVED ACCIDENT JUNE17TH 2019 WAS REAR ENDED AND DRIVEN INTO REAR END OF 129000 LBS TRACTOR TRAILER. CAR WAS DEMOLISHED, FRONT END AND REAR SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. WAS EXTRACTED FROM CAR.AIR BAGS DUD NOT DELPLOY. SUSTAINED FRACTURED SKULL AND CONCUSSION
NHTSA ODI #11343873
27,000 miles · Jul 30, 2020
Seat Belts
DRIVERS SEAT BELT IS JUST GETTING SHREDDED / COMING APART. THIS IS NOT JUST COSMETIC FRAYING - THE FABRIC IS COMING APART ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STRAP.
NHTSA ODI #11342397
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2020
Electrical System
I HAVE TROUBLE WITH MY CAR STARTING EVERY TIME GET READY TO START IT I WOULD HAVE TO GET SOMEONE TO JUMP START MY CAR OFF EVERY TIME IKE YESTERDAY WHEN I GOT READY TO GO TO WORK IT DIDN'T START IT MAKE A CLICKING NOISE IKE IT'S THE BATTERY BUT I REALLY CAN'T TELL WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM I HAVE TAKEN MY CARE TO KIA DEALERSHI…
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I HAVE TROUBLE WITH MY CAR STARTING EVERY TIME GET READY TO START IT I WOULD HAVE TO GET SOMEONE TO JUMP START MY CAR OFF EVERY TIME IKE YESTERDAY WHEN I GOT READY TO GO TO WORK IT DIDN'T START IT MAKE A CLICKING NOISE IKE IT'S THE BATTERY BUT I REALLY CAN'T TELL WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM I HAVE TAKEN MY CARE TO KIA DEALERSHIP THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND HERE I AM AGAIN A WEEK LATER WITH THE SAME ISSUE AS BEFORE AND NO SOLUTION AND I'M GETTING REALLY FRUSTRATED WITH PROBLEM I JUS WANT FIXED. *TR
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.
2018 Kia Forte Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year