NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
136 reportsMileage unknown · Jan 15, 2023
Air Bags
I toke the car in for the recalls it had on it back in the fall of 2022 to don Franklin kia in Somerset, Ky. The airbag light still goes on and off intermittently. It has been on steady for nearly 3weeks straight now. Since that did the recall of the clock spring of the air bag, they are wanting me to pay for the repair out righ…
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I toke the car in for the recalls it had on it back in the fall of 2022 to don Franklin kia in Somerset, Ky. The airbag light still goes on and off intermittently. It has been on steady for nearly 3weeks straight now. Since that did the recall of the clock spring of the air bag, they are wanting me to pay for the repair out right. It could be as much as $3500.00 for the air bag and module. I don't know why it's not covered since it didn't fix my problem the first time. Please help, any advice would be appreciated. Thank you Sincerely, Ricky Frazier 364 highway 26 Williamsburg, Ky 40769 606-234-5104
NHTSA ODI #11501847
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2022
Unknown Or Other
This complaint is NOT against any incident on this vehicle per say but concerning Kia customer care. I am a potential buyer of this vehicle from Autonation 104 here in Denver, CO. And, I contacted Kia to provide me with the vehicle recall information so that I can be better educated to make a decision on whether or not I should …
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This complaint is NOT against any incident on this vehicle per say but concerning Kia customer care. I am a potential buyer of this vehicle from Autonation 104 here in Denver, CO. And, I contacted Kia to provide me with the vehicle recall information so that I can be better educated to make a decision on whether or not I should buy a vehicle with an open recall status. However, Kia customer care 1 (800) 333-4542 flagrantly denied disclosing any information pertaining the recall status. Now, I am aware that recall information is also available on NHTSA and other free forums, however, my desire with the above call was to understand more about the recall that may or may not be already available publicly. For instance, whether or not this is a stop-sale recall, their advisory on an open recall vehicle as it relates to me and my family's safety, current wait times if I were to service the recall etc. But, they denied to share any information on the recall at all. I also filed a complaint to their customer care department through a voicemail (seriously?) because apparently that was the only option they make available. Details on the incident: On-call Phone number: 18003334542 Time: 10:11AM MST Date: 12/20/22 Per Federal law a vehicle manufacturer has to notify the customers/potential customers of any vehicle recall information that applies to the vehicle that the customer is intending to buy. Please let me know if you need any more information from me. Thank you,
NHTSA ODI #11498520
108,998 miles · Dec 1, 2022
Air BagsElectrical System
I initially submitted a complaint on Nov 6 with my 2018 kia about engine failure /possibly, my car was towed to Darcars kia Urbana pike in frederick md, I had just made an appointment with them b4 my car broke down to get the trunk & air bag recalls taken care of 11/09 my car sat there until yesterday, they never took care of th…
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I initially submitted a complaint on Nov 6 with my 2018 kia about engine failure /possibly, my car was towed to Darcars kia Urbana pike in frederick md, I had just made an appointment with them b4 my car broke down to get the trunk & air bag recalls taken care of 11/09 my car sat there until yesterday, they never took care of the recalls? REGARDLESS my engine /break down shouldn't they have fixed those issues? And I was told they would run diagnostic test on my car to figure out what happened, I never received anything other than them wanting me to pay 7,000 to fix my car ,or they would give me 500.if I wanted to sell they told my insurance agent I had engine failure from normal wear and tear? I didn't know they only expect their kias to run 100,000k also got a bill with absolutely no explanation of why I was charged,they clearly are playing a game- I called kia America who left me on hold over 2 hrs until I hung up,also emailed them about my recalls not being taken care of - they said it's not their problem, I'm assuming I should get a lawyer now
NHTSA ODI #11495674
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2022
EngineUnknown Or Other
The 2018 Kia Forte LX that my daughter is the primary driver of (but I am on the loan) engine light has been on for several weeks and it has also had trouble starting, resulting in several days of missed work. We have taken it to two mechanics, whose partial diagnosis was that it needed a new timing chain kit which we had done o…
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The 2018 Kia Forte LX that my daughter is the primary driver of (but I am on the loan) engine light has been on for several weeks and it has also had trouble starting, resulting in several days of missed work. We have taken it to two mechanics, whose partial diagnosis was that it needed a new timing chain kit which we had done on November 1, 2022 along with new spark plugs. However the engine light continues to stay on, with a loud idle and trouble starting. We took it back to the mechanic and after checking everything he could think of, he advised us that there is definitely an oil pressure issue and that we should take it to the Kia dealership and ask about a silent recall on the engine/oil pump. The issues we are having with the vehicle exactly match NHTSA Recall No. 21V-260; Manufacturers Recall No. SC210, however it is not showing up on my VIN number. I fear that this is only getting worse and as Recall SC210 states, if the vehicle is continually operated with this condition, the engine can be damaged (if not already) and loss of motive power may occur, increasing the risk of a crash. I have also attached Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-260. Your consideration in this matter would be greatly appreciated as we feel it applies to our vehicle and that we shouldn't have to spend even more than what we have already spent in repairs and job time loss. I can be contacted at [XXX] or by email at [XXX]. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11493667
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2022
Engine
My kia broke down on the highway ,I believe the engine is blown ,No warning lights came on until the exact incident occurred. I wasn't able to get power from the accelerator and managed to pull to the side of the highway .My car had started a knocking noise a day and a half b4 the incident, I've seen online that my car model an…
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My kia broke down on the highway ,I believe the engine is blown ,No warning lights came on until the exact incident occurred. I wasn't able to get power from the accelerator and managed to pull to the side of the highway .My car had started a knocking noise a day and a half b4 the incident, I've seen online that my car model and year has had issues with engine failure ,So far kia has ignored my calls ,I was in touch on the day b4 incident
NHTSA ODI #11492461
129,000 miles · Nov 3, 2022
Visibility
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the defroster failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware o…
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The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the defroster failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
NHTSA ODI #11492161
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2022
Electrical System
My vehicle was broken into and attempted to be stolen. My Kia was made within the years that is a KNOWN issue that thieves can simply use a USB to start the car. There is no immobilizer switch on the ignition. This issue has caused a rise of 400% in thefts of Kias and Hyundais. I personally had to pay $468 to get it repaired and…
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My vehicle was broken into and attempted to be stolen. My Kia was made within the years that is a KNOWN issue that thieves can simply use a USB to start the car. There is no immobilizer switch on the ignition. This issue has caused a rise of 400% in thefts of Kias and Hyundais. I personally had to pay $468 to get it repaired and another $700 to have accurate security put in the car. Kia knows and has known that this is a defect in their manufacturing.
NHTSA ODI #11490900
136,000 miles · Sep 22, 2022
Engine
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure recurred three times in one day. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that t…
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The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure recurred three times in one day. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the timing chain had slipped, and the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact stated that he was left on hold for two hours without a call back. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
NHTSA ODI #11485821
32,215 miles · Sep 14, 2022
Tires
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte equipped with Nexen Tires, Tire Line: N 'Priz AH8, Tire Size: 195/65/R15, DOT Number: E025. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair and the mechanic noticed that all four tires had started to crack in the center of the tire with rotting to the tread. The c…
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The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte equipped with Nexen Tires, Tire Line: N 'Priz AH8, Tire Size: 195/65/R15, DOT Number: E025. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair and the mechanic noticed that all four tires had started to crack in the center of the tire with rotting to the tread. The contact stated that she had replaced the tires two years prior. The contact then stated that the dealer informed her that all four tires needed to be replaced. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,215.
NHTSA ODI #11484477
64,000 miles · Aug 16, 2022
Air BagsCrashInjury
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the contact stated he rear-ended the vehicle in front of him causing damage to the front end of his vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. The contact had several cuts and bruises, but no medical attention was required and he stated that no one else…
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The contact owns a 2018 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the contact stated he rear-ended the vehicle in front of him causing damage to the front end of his vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. The contact had several cuts and bruises, but no medical attention was required and he stated that no one else was injured. It was unknown if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The contact stated he later find out that his VIN was under recall NHTSA Campaign Number:22V031000(Air Bags) The dealer was not contacted, and the manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 64,000.
NHTSA ODI #11479543
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 ↗