Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 26 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
26 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2025
Engine
In early 2025, I encountered a serious issue with my 2022 Kia Forte GT, a manual car with 76,000 miles and a 1.6L turbo Gamma engine. I took it for a routine oil change at a local non-Kia shop, but they refused, finding metal particles in the oil, suggesting engine damage. Worried, I towed it to a Kia dealership for a warranty-c…
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In early 2025, I encountered a serious issue with my 2022 Kia Forte GT, a manual car with 76,000 miles and a 1.6L turbo Gamma engine. I took it for a routine oil change at a local non-Kia shop, but they refused, finding metal particles in the oil, suggesting engine damage. Worried, I towed it to a Kia dealership for a warranty-covered inspection, given my 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. The dealership proposed a $500 engine flush, claiming it would clear contaminants, and advised me to drive 1,000 miles, even until the engine seized if needed, before returning. This shocked me—driving with metal risked catastrophic failure, potentially costing $3,000-$6,000 for a new engine, and seemed designed to avoid warranty responsibility. At 76,000 miles, I believed the metal indicated a manufacturing defect, not wear, especially since I’d used 5W-30 synthetic oil per Kia’s schedule. The non-Kia shop’s refusal left my maintenance history unclear, but Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects me from paying for fixes if it’s a defect. I contacted Kia customer service (1-800-333-4542), but they wouldn’t talk, citing my lawyer’s involvement. My lawyer, however, has been unresponsive to calls and emails for weeks, leaving me stranded. The dealership’s “drive until seizure” advice felt unsafe, prompting me to consider an NHTSA complaint at www.nhtsa.gov with my VIN to report this potential defect. This ordeal has caused significant stress and financial worry. I’ve asked the dealership for a detailed report on the metal’s source, but they’ve been vague. I’m torn between paying $500 and risking my car or pushing Kia harder. With the car still at the dealership, I hope for a warranty fix, not a costly delay tactic.the engine was replaced 10000 miles ago. And took two months.
NHTSA ODI #11652165
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2024
SteeringCrash
I got into an accident i On December 10th, 2023 my car was totaled out. My steering wheel felt like it was doing its own thing and I crashed straight into a curb and some rocks. I was injured and they had just fixed my steering because of the recall but I don’t know if they did it correctly
NHTSA ODI #11622041
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
My car body material looks like a baby toy I have a bas accient and
NHTSA ODI #11590283
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2024
TiresFireInjury
That happens on the bridge on nW 7 st
NHTSA ODI #11590244
21,840 miles · Feb 15, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Forte. The contact stated that after driving and parking the vehicle, upon restarting the vehicle, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. There was a puddle of oil near the vehicle. While driving 35–40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and shutoff. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who …
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The contact owns a 2022 Kia Forte. The contact stated that after driving and parking the vehicle, upon restarting the vehicle, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. There was a puddle of oil near the vehicle. While driving 35–40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and shutoff. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who informed the contact that the oil drain plug was missing. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the battery and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact called the warranty company and was provided warranty information. The failure mileage was approximately 21,840.
NHTSA ODI #11572089
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2023
Air BagsCrash
Air bags did not deploy in a front/side impact crash. Driver slid on ice and slush, went off the road and hit a tree. The car is currently being evaluated by the service center and insurance company. No sensors or warnings went off.
NHTSA ODI #11558478
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2023
Unknown Or Other
Vehicle was accidentally left in drive with the engine off. Ignition key was able to be removed from ignition cylinder even though vehicle was in gear and allowed it to roll away several feet.
NHTSA ODI #11554506
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2023
Air BagsElectrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceCrashInjury
I believe that airbags/ airbag sensors have failed or malfunctioned and they are available for inspection. My safety as well as the safety of others was put at risk because the airbags should have deployed and they didn’t putting us further at risk. The problem hasn’t been confirmed or reproduced by anyone professional. The vehi…
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I believe that airbags/ airbag sensors have failed or malfunctioned and they are available for inspection. My safety as well as the safety of others was put at risk because the airbags should have deployed and they didn’t putting us further at risk. The problem hasn’t been confirmed or reproduced by anyone professional. The vehicle has not been inspected as of yet. There were no warning signs or lamps of any kind.
NHTSA ODI #11549105
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2023
Power TrainVisibility/wiper
Hello, I purchased my car brand new March 2022. Since April of 2023 I have been having issues with my cars stalling upon acceleration off and on, and the wipers occasionally getting stuck in the upright position especially during heavy rain periods, which makes it hard to see the roads clearly. I have reported these issues t…
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Hello, I purchased my car brand new March 2022. Since April of 2023 I have been having issues with my cars stalling upon acceleration off and on, and the wipers occasionally getting stuck in the upright position especially during heavy rain periods, which makes it hard to see the roads clearly. I have reported these issues to KIA on multiple occasions. My vehicle has been to the dealership for repairs three times for transmission issues: First service date was 6/3/23 I drove the car after having a multi-point inspection and telling the advisor my car was having issues accelerating. The advisor simply explained they found no issues. On the way home the car started to jerk, then would slow on acceleration, and ultimately began losing power while driving. Not once did I receive a warning code on the dashboard I called and KIA had it towed back to their Service department for a diagnostic. It was released back to me on 7/08/23, the advisor stated codes were input, but no transmission was replaced only for the vehicle to repeat the same issues, but worst on 7/31/23 the car jerked uncontrollably, would not push off making it impossible to accelerate at all and running at a very slow pace. I was able to make it to the dealership, however once reviewed it was noted that indeed the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then in service/at the dealership from 7/31/23 - 9/2/23. I retrieved the vehicle after a new transmission was installed, and within two hours I was unable to reverse, and finally the transmission immobilized the vehicle completely in the middle of the road stating, "Transmission is hot". This was very dangerous as it was heavy traffic in the area and the car literally stopped in the middle of the road. I wasn't even able to pull to the side for safety. As of today the vehicle is currently back at the dealership awaiting a diagnostic and service if possible.
NHTSA ODI #11543508
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceSeat BeltsSuspension
I keep shutting down, not going on something with a forward assist on top of that. I have no control over my car does whatever ones and it’s very unstable Fawzy no control is very unstable very bumpy road to the point I don’t even wanna drive
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
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.
2022 Kia Forte Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year