2014 KIA FORTE

3 recalls — 634 complaints

20V750000 Dec 2, 2020
ENGINE
Defect Description
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Consequence
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, ... Read more
294,756 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
17V773000 Dec 1, 2017
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Defect Description
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It c... Read more
Consequence
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted... Read more
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC158.
134,366 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
15V015000 Jan 16, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Defect Description
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kia Forte vehicles manufactured December 5, 2012, to April 17, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the cooling fan resistor may overheat and melt.
Consequence
If the cooling fan resistor overheats and melts, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and for vehicles produced from December 5, 2012 to January 27, 2014, dealers will replace the cooling fan resistor and multi-fuse unit. For vehicles produced from January 28, 2014 to April 17, 2014, dealers will replace the multi-fuse unit only. Owners of vehicles with a 1.... Read more
86,880 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Complaint Statistics

634 total complaints 60 crashes 51 fires 52 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ENGINE207
STEERING62
AIR BAGS61
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM56
UNKNOWN OR OTHER49
SERVICE BRAKES26
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM24
EXTERIOR LIGHTING18
STRUCTURE:BODY17
POWER TRAIN17
ENGINE Feb 27, 2026
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
I have currently been avoiding driving my car because it goes in limp mode when I’m stopped at red lights I smell oil burning sometimes ive seen small amounts of smoke coming from the engine as well as just receiving an oil change less than a month ago and it already being bad , I checked the mail... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Feb 27, 2026
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
I have currently been avoiding driving my car because it goes in limp mode when I’m stopped at red lights I smell oil burning sometimes ive seen small amounts of smoke coming from the engine as well as just receiving an oil change less than a month ago and it already being bad , I checked the mail... Read more
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Feb 27, 2026
Incident date: Feb 26, 2025
I have currently been avoiding driving my car because it goes in limp mode when I’m stopped at red lights I smell oil burning sometimes ive seen small amounts of smoke coming from the engine as well as just receiving an oil change less than a month ago and it already being bad , I checked the mail... Read more
ENGINE Feb 25, 2026
Incident date: Jan 12, 2026
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine); however, the recall repair was not fully performed. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate at slower speeds, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH and un... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Jan 27, 2026
Incident date: Jan 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, an... Read more
STEERING Jan 15, 2026
Incident date: Mar 18, 2018
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that there was a ticking sound coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel in either direction while driving at slow speeds. The contact stated that over time, the clicking sound became progressively louder. The vehicle was t... Read more
ENGINE Jan 7, 2026
Incident date: Dec 25, 2025
uNKNOWN THERE IS A KNOCK IN THE MOTOR.
ENGINE Jan 5, 2026
Incident date: Oct 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. In addition, the contact stated that sometimes after the vehicle was started, the engine shut off unexpectedly. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it wa... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jan 3, 2026
Incident date: Jul 15, 2023
My vehicle was leaking fluid, so I took it in and discovered that my vehicle’s ABS module failed in what was described to me as an “unusual way” at both the initial garage where I took it and, later, to the dealership, which was the only place that could do the actual repair. Some research s... Read more
ENGINE Jan 3, 2026
Incident date: Dec 1, 2025
Engine developed a “ticking” sound, oil consumption has increased and vehicle will periodically stall at low speeds when driving especially towards the end of the oil change interval. All periodic maintenance has been performed since I have owned the car. Previous owner indicated the same. Th... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES Jan 3, 2026
Incident date: Jul 15, 2023
My vehicle was leaking fluid, so I took it in and discovered that my vehicle’s ABS module failed in what was described to me as an “unusual way” at both the initial garage where I took it and, later, to the dealership, which was the only place that could do the actual repair. Some research s... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Dec 26, 2025
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
Large Buck deer hit car with force, did not loose control, did not slam brakes attempted to pull to side of road. The hood flew up and had to use the emergency brake to come to full stop, put in park but the gas was full throttle. Neither airbag deployed and definitely should have.
AIR BAGS Dec 26, 2025
Incident date: Dec 2, 2025
Large Buck deer hit car with force, did not loose control, did not slam brakes attempted to pull to side of road. The hood flew up and had to use the emergency brake to come to full stop, put in park but the gas was full throttle. Neither airbag deployed and definitely should have.
AIR BAGS Dec 19, 2025
Incident date: Dec 19, 2025
The air bad light is on and horn dose not working currently there is a open recall on the clutch spring for the air bag but my vin say no repair
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Dec 16, 2025
Incident date: Dec 16, 2025
I had a brake system failure of some sort happen today. My life and the lives of many others were put in extreme danger. I was driving at about 40 MPH and was approaching a red light. I pressed down on my brake pedal to begin slowing down, but I got absolutely nothing in response. Out of panic, I p... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES Dec 16, 2025
Incident date: Dec 16, 2025
I had a brake system failure of some sort happen today. My life and the lives of many others were put in extreme danger. I was driving at about 40 MPH and was approaching a red light. I pressed down on my brake pedal to begin slowing down, but I got absolutely nothing in response. Out of panic, I p... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES Oct 21, 2025
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
I have been trying to have my brakes line repair for a recall for over a year with the local Kia dealer as they refused to see me for over a year due to not buying vehicle there. I lost my brakes due to the recall on the lines and not being able to get an appointment. I almost died when my brakes we... Read more
STEERING Oct 1, 2025
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
Steering column, steering coupler piece
STEERING Sep 26, 2025
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Steering column is broken and keeps falling. Hard to replace entire steering column. While driving the entire steering wheel will fall into lap, makes the car nearly un-drivable. I have fixed before but the entire part is now failing and is extremely dangerous.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 26, 2025
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Steering column is broken and keeps falling. Hard to replace entire steering column. While driving the entire steering wheel will fall into lap, makes the car nearly un-drivable. I have fixed before but the entire part is now failing and is extremely dangerous.
POWER TRAIN Sep 17, 2025
Incident date: Aug 24, 2025
Slow to shift and accelerate
ENGINE Sep 17, 2025
Incident date: Aug 24, 2025
Slow to shift and accelerate
STEERING Sep 11, 2025
Incident date: May 27, 2025
The steering coupler clunks when I turn my steering wheel
AIR BAGS Aug 15, 2025
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
The air bag light comes on and off. Rubber Weather stripping leaking. Runs hot.
ENGINE Jun 25, 2025
Incident date: Mar 11, 2025
The engine is failing. I took my Kia Forte into the dealership in March of 2025 for a blinking engine light and loss of power. It is under a warranty for engine replacement but Kia has done everything in their power not to help their own customer out. This engine issue can cause life threatening iss... Read more
STEERING Jun 13, 2025
Incident date: Mar 20, 2025
MDPS Flexible Steering Coupler Fails on all these cars but only Optima’s got covered even though the same defective coupler is used in the Forte’s Here is the memo for the Optima’s TSB: CHA072 / CS1604 (Rev 2) Optima (QF/TF/TFH) August 2016
ENGINE Jun 10, 2025
Incident date: Mar 3, 2025
The car has a knock sensor that causes it to go into limp mode. I was told by the service manager to drive it until the code goes from pending to not pending. The code is 1326. I have drove it, and it is not safe to drive. You can’t go ten miles without it going into limp mode.
STEERING Jun 1, 2025
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
The MDPS power steering coupler became worn out causing erratic steering issues.the coupler part its self is not even listed on the vehicle so the dealership would only recommend replacing the entire MDPS. i replaced the coupler myself due to lack of affordability for entire motor. steering is now f... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Jun 1, 2025
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
The MDPS power steering coupler became worn out causing erratic steering issues.the coupler part its self is not even listed on the vehicle so the dealership would only recommend replacing the entire MDPS. i replaced the coupler myself due to lack of affordability for entire motor. steering is now f... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING May 23, 2025
Incident date: May 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated and then lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the radiator had fa... Read more
ENGINE May 3, 2025
Incident date: Apr 27, 2025
I brought my vehicle into the Kia dealership (Jim Ellis Kia of Kennesaw) due to check engine light and limp mode activation. The code P1326 was identified, which is tied to Kia's extended warranty related to known engine defects. This all started Sunday [XXX], and I brought the car to the Kia dealer... Read more
ENGINE May 2, 2025
Incident date: Sep 10, 2024
Started working with Kia care center about October 2024. My engine oil was burning internal and I was given a case number, was told to drive until oil was very low and drive 1,000 miles, and told NOT to add oil from Grand Kia. Took my car into Grand Kia, didn't get to 1,000 only lasted three months... Read more
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS Apr 23, 2025
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH on the highway, there was smoke coming from under the hood. There was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle stopped. The TPMS and engine warning li... Read more
ENGINE Apr 23, 2025
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH on the highway, there was smoke coming from under the hood. There was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle stopped. The TPMS and engine warning li... Read more
ENGINE Apr 13, 2025
Incident date: Feb 13, 2025
The engine has known defects, however is not on the engine replacement campaign. Failed at 114k miles. KIA refuses to acknowledge known defects. Dealer confirmed bad engine. Second opinion confirmed also. No warning or service engine lights. All oil changes were arouond 3k miles. Started with a s... Read more
STEERING Mar 5, 2025
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
Burning a unnecessary amount of oil. The oil pump failed
ENGINE Mar 5, 2025
Incident date: Feb 28, 2025
Burning a unnecessary amount of oil. The oil pump failed
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Mar 2, 2025
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The car will randomly cut off while driving, to restart the car must be put into neutral to restart and the lights go off during that time. If you are on the interstate going over 50, it will jerk and restart itself but the steering gets really stiff and you have to pull over and cut car off and res... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Mar 2, 2025
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The car will randomly cut off while driving, to restart the car must be put into neutral to restart and the lights go off during that time. If you are on the interstate going over 50, it will jerk and restart itself but the steering gets really stiff and you have to pull over and cut car off and res... Read more
ENGINE Mar 2, 2025
Incident date: Feb 1, 2024
The car will randomly cut off while driving, to restart the car must be put into neutral to restart and the lights go off during that time. If you are on the interstate going over 50, it will jerk and restart itself but the steering gets really stiff and you have to pull over and cut car off and res... Read more
STEERING Feb 25, 2025
Incident date: Feb 5, 2025
Steering started acting funny, I called Kia 800 333 4542 about their Technical service bulletin and spoke with TY he stated this is not a manufacturer defect and is not covered for repair since there wasnt a recall. MDPS Flexible Coupling Replacement Technical Service Bulletin Ref: CHA074 REV 2 D... Read more
ENGINE Feb 24, 2025
Incident date: Jul 24, 2024
As mentioned in the dealership report, Kia denied my request to repair a recall on the motor. My car still has warranty on the motor up to 15 years and 150,000 miles.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Feb 20, 2025
Incident date: Feb 14, 2025
My 2014 Kia Forte experienced random stalling/loss of speed. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic multiple times- the crank shaft sensor was replaced, new batteries were put in, and a starter was replaced. When starting the vehicle sometimes it would not turn over or click a few times to start. A t... Read more
ENGINE Feb 20, 2025
Incident date: Feb 14, 2025
My 2014 Kia Forte experienced random stalling/loss of speed. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic multiple times- the crank shaft sensor was replaced, new batteries were put in, and a starter was replaced. When starting the vehicle sometimes it would not turn over or click a few times to start. A t... Read more
SEAT BELTS Feb 9, 2025
Incident date: Jan 18, 2025
After T-boning a Toyota Prius, my air bag did not go off and my driver seat belt did not lock. As a result, I suffered a collapsed right lung, my left hand punched the windshield fracturing my wrist and had to have surgery from that. Also suffered my 7th right rib fractured. There was no warning lam... Read more
Crash 1 injured
AIR BAGS Feb 9, 2025
Incident date: Jan 18, 2025
After T-boning a Toyota Prius, my air bag did not go off and my driver seat belt did not lock. As a result, I suffered a collapsed right lung, my left hand punched the windshield fracturing my wrist and had to have surgery from that. Also suffered my 7th right rib fractured. There was no warning lam... Read more
Crash 1 injured
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL Jan 25, 2025
Incident date: Jan 25, 2025
Sterling wheel begins to shake at high speed and a lower speed causing the whole steering wheel to shake and make noise. And have realized the cruise control is no longer working
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING Jan 25, 2025
Incident date: May 15, 2022
Back-up camera does not function. I'm told the camera unit itself is at fault, not the electrical circuit leading to the 'head unit' (infotainment system). It has not operated property for about two years. I've owned the vehicle for7 years.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jan 25, 2025
Incident date: Jan 25, 2025
Sterling wheel begins to shake at high speed and a lower speed causing the whole steering wheel to shake and make noise. And have realized the cruise control is no longer working
STEERING Jan 25, 2025
Incident date: Jan 25, 2025
Sterling wheel begins to shake at high speed and a lower speed causing the whole steering wheel to shake and make noise. And have realized the cruise control is no longer working

Showing 50 of 634 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy — 2014 KIA FORTE

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 24.0 35.0 28.0 Regular $2,150
2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 24.0 34.0 28.0 Regular $2,150
1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 24.0 35.0 28.0 Regular $2,150
1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 25.0 36.0 29.0 Regular $2,050

CO2 Emissions: 318.0 g/mile (Midsize Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

NHTSA Safety Investigations — KIA FORTE

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE18003 Opened: Mar 16, 2018 — Closed: Aug 30, 2019
PE — Closed — Model Year: 2010
Air bags may be disabled during crash
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2... Read more

KIA FORTE — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the KIA FORTE across all model years (2010–2023).

56 Total Recalls
3,494 Total Complaints
1 Investigations
371 Reported Crashes
197 Reported Fires
24 Reported Deaths

KIA FORTE — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2024 0 37 View
2023 3 90 View
2022 1 37 View
2021 7 92 View
2020 0 88 View
2019 2 202 View
2018 9 187 View
2017 9 422 View
2016 2 192 View
2015 1 320 View
2014 (current) 3 634
2013 6 271 View
2012 5 398 View
2011 4 213 View
2010 4 310 View
2009 0 1 View

Other KIA Models

Model Recalls Complaints
SORENTO 188 13,593 View
SPORTAGE 165 6,601 View
SEDONA 118 3,350 View
OPTIMA 100 10,128 View
TELLURIDE 70 2,186 View
SOUL 66 7,233 View
SORENTO HYBRID 62 159 View
SOUL EV 62 50 View