Page 2 of 4 · complaints 51–100 of 154

2011 Kia Forte complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2011 record →

Engine
Filed Jan 13, 2021153,578 milesOH

HI I BELIEVE U SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THE ENGINES FOR AN EXAMPLE WHEN I LOOK UP THE TIMING CHANGE ITS SAYS MOST HAD TO REPLACE THEN THE PISTON SLOP IS KNOCKING AND IT SEEMS LIKE MOST HAD TO REPLACE THAT. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A REBUILD KIT FOR MY KIA AND WOULD LIKE TO JUST REBUILD IT MYSELF BUT CAN'T SEEM TO FIND A 2.0 REBUILD KIT FOR A 2011 FORTE EX ONLINE... WHY IS THAT?

Engine
Filed Dec 18, 202097,000 milesIL

THERE IS A CONSTANT KNOCKING COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND LOUD NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALSO TURNING ON AND OFF. 2012-2015 KIA FORTE KOUPS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN RECALLED, BUT NOT THE 2011 MODEL. THIS CAR HAS THE SAME THETA 2 ENGINE AND THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE IS SHOT AND WILL NOT LAST MUCH LONGER. I SINCERELY HOPE THE RECALL IS EXTENDED TO THE 2011 MODEL KIA FORTE KOUP. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 7, 2020WI

BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A SMALL DEALERSHIP AND IT HAD A TICKING IN THE ENGINE. THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS FROM SITTING. THE TICKING GOT WORSE AND I TOOK IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT I'D NEED A WHOLE NEW ENGINE.

Engine
Filed Oct 2, 2020105,000 milesOR

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I HEARD A SOUND LIKE METAL SCRAPING METAL, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20MPH GOING STRAIGHT DOWN S. MAIN ST DOWNTOWN WARRENTON, OREGON AND WAS PLANNING TO PULL OVER WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STOPPED DEAD AFTER A HORRIBLE NOISE OF WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A HEAVY METAL SNAPPING/CRUNCHING NOISE. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND EVERYTHING LOOKED OK, BUT SOME BLACK FLUID WAS DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND. THE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED ABOUT FOUR DAYS BEFORE THIS AND THEY SAID IT WAS 2.5 QUARTS LOW. I HAD ALSO TAKEN IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP TO SEE IF IT NEEDED ANY IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AS IT WAS MAKING AN ODD SCRAPING NOISE BEFORE THE OIL WAS CHANGED AND HE SAID HE SUGGESTED SOME THING TO DO WITH THE CAM BUT IT WASN'T URGENT AND TO JUST KEEP THE OIL FILLED IN CASE THERE IS A LEAK SOMEWHERE. THE OIL RESERVOIR WAS FULL WHEN I LEFT THAT MORNING WHEN IT SEIZED UP. IF I HAD BEEN GOING MUCH FASTER, I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN KILLED AS IT STOPPED COMPLETELY, NO COASTING TO A STOP. IT JUST STOPPED. FROM 20MPH TO 0 AND THE CAR JUMPED WHEN IT STOPPED. I DID NOT TOUCH THE BRAKES. IT WAS TOWED TO MARK'S AUTO REPAIR IN SEASIDE, OREGON. HE HAS NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM BUT DID SAY THAT METAL FLAKES ARE IN THE OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OTHER PLACES TOO. HE HAS A WORK ORDER HE IS WORKING UP BUT SAID HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT A MINIMUM. THEY CAN ONLY FIND SHORT BLOCKS FOR SALE AT THIS TIME AND SO THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON USING A SHORT BLOCK. MY OIL GETS CHANGED REGULARLY EITHE

Electrical System
Filed Aug 15, 2020106,890 milesOH

ENGINE ISSUES! THIS ENGINE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASONS AND POSSIBLE LEMON. MY CAR HAS ONLY 106,890 MILES ON IT. THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A TAPPING NOISE. THEN I STARTED TO HAVE A LOSS OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING OR GOING UP HILL. HAD THE CODES READ AND IT SAID THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. REPLACED THAT. THEN IT STARTED TO IDLE ROUGH. HAD CODE READ AGAIN. IT SAID MAP SENSOR AND NUMBER 2 CYLINDER MISFIRE. REPLACED PLUGS, COILS, AND MAP SENSOR. NOW IT WON'T START. IT HAS NO SPARK. NOW IT IS SHOWING CODES FOR MAP SENSOR AGAIN. NUMBER 2 CYLINDER MISFIRE, THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SENSOR AND THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. AT JUST OVER 100,000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. OTHER MODEL CARS WITH THE SAME 2.0 ENGINE HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE 2.0 ENGINE NEEDS TO ALSO BE RECALLED IN THE 2011 KIA FORTE KOUP EX. I'M NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS MODEL CAR THAT HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES AND OR TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE.

Engine
Filed Aug 14, 2020IN

KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE STARTED ABOUT 90,000 MILES, MAYBE EARLIER ALL SERVICE DONE TIMELY BY DEALERSHIP. KIA DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO HEAR ANYTHING UNUSUAL - STATES CAR'S GETTING OLD (7 YR). KNOCKING WHEN CAR STATIONARY AND MOVING. KNOCKING IS GETTING MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS THE SAME FOR SO MANY KIAS - ROD BEARING. CAR IS SPENDING A LOT OF TIME SITTING IN THE DRIVE - I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S SAFE FOR ANY TRIP - OR FOR ANYONE. RECOMMENDED SOLUTION: NEW ENGINE. WHY WOULD I PUT A NEW ENGINE IN A, NOW 9 YEAR OLD CAR - SO THAT I COULD KEEP A KIA PRODUCT. NOT HAPPENING! WHAT IS HAPPENING IS ME LETTING EVERYONE KNOW TO STAY AWAY FROM ANY KIA PRODUCT!

Engine
Filed Aug 9, 2020218,000 milesMI

DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY 70 MPH LOUD CLANKING SOUND BEGAN AND ENGINE QUIT WORKING, I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND CHECKED MY FLUIDS,ALL WERE AT OPERATING LEVELS, THERE IS A RECALL ON THE ENGINE BUT NOT IF IT'S IN A FORTE.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 4, 2020110,000 milesOH

BRAKE LINE BURST NEAR CENTER OF CAR WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. MAINTAINED ENOUGH BRAKE PRESSURE TO COME TO A SAFE STOP. INVESTIGATION REVEALED EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF BRAKE LINES RUNNING FROM FRONT TO REAR OF VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY AT CONTACT POINTS WITH EACH RESTRAINT. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 20, 2020150,000 milesIA

CAR DEVELOPED A KNOCKING SOUND AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO DEALER TO CHECK OUT AND THEY TELL ME NEED TO REPLACE MOTOR. ALSO TOLD ME THEY ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM WITH MOTOR LIKE MINE. APPARENTLY THEY HAVE RECALLED SAME MOTORS IN DIFFERENT MODELS BUT NOT THE FORTE

Air Bags
Filed Feb 19, 2020123,799 milesCA

TOOK CAR INTO DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL SC165. WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR REMOVING/READING THE AIRBAG SENSORS. THE ESTIMATE TO READ THE CODES IS $150 THAT CAN THEN GO TO COST OF REPAIRS. WHY WOULDN'T A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM INCLUDE READING THE SENORS AND ENSURING THEY ARE WORKING PROPERLY?

Engine
Filed Jan 16, 2020114,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO CONCLUSIVELY STATE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. AFTER LEAVING, WITHIN LESS THAN A MILE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. VISION KIA OF CANANDAIGUA 2445 ROCHESTER RD RTE 332, CANANDAIGUA, NY 14424 (585) 394-4542 WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2019AL

ENGINE MAKES VERY LOUD KNOCKING SOUND DURING FIRST STARTUP. LOTS OF OTHER FORTES DURING SAME PROBLEM PLEASE INVESTIGATE

Engine
Filed Oct 21, 201949,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TAYLOR KIA OF BOARDMAN (7870 MARKET STREET, BOARDMAN, OHIO 44512, (330)-295-2376) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE DEALER ALSO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO TAYLOR KIA OF HERMITAGE (1460 NORTH HERMITAGE ROAD, HERMITAGE, PA 16148, (724) 418-4999) TO BE DIAGNOSED AND TEST DRIVEN, BUT NO FAILURE COULD BE FOUND OR DUPLICATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR AND THE FUEL ECONOMY SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE AND SENSOR INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. AFTER NUMEROUS INCIDENCES OF STALLING WHILE DRIVING & FAILURE OF ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR ENGINE CODES, THE CONTACT RESEARCH THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS THE CONTACT ASK MECHANIC TO REPLACE THE REQUIRED ENTIRE SENSOR PARTS OF THROTTLE BODY. FOLLOWING THIS REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAS NOT HAD A SINGLE STALL INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. *TP 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 18, 2019NY

REAR PASSENGER LIGHT CONSISTENTLY GOING OUT REGARDLESS OF LIGHT REPLACEMENT. REPLACED LIGHT BULB NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAD HARNESS REPLACED, PROBLEM STILL REMAINED.NOW ALL REAR LIGHTING HAVE STOPPED WORKING WHILE CAR IS ON.

Engine
Filed Aug 5, 2019PA

BAD ENGINE KNOCKING/TAPING ,I HAVE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2.0 AND 2.4 KIA/HYUNDAI ENGINES KNOCKING/ TAPPING ENGINE,MY CAR HAS 97000 AND SOUNDS LIKE DIESEL ENGINE, BOUGHT USED THEY REFUSED TO FIX BECAUSE THE WARRANTY SAYS THAT I'M NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER ,SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS ,THEY ARE A LOTS I MEANS A LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT ,KIA/HUYNDAI NEEDS TO STEP UP AND DO A RECALL FOR THIS MAJOR PROBLEM

Air BagsCrash3 injured
Filed Jul 2, 201917,000 milesNE

TAKATA RECALL: I WAS INVOLVED IN A NOT AT FAULT SIDE IMPACT CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND I WAS INJURED AND AM CURRENTLY SEEKING MEDICAL ATTENTION.

Service Brakes
Filed May 21, 2019FL

BRAKE LIGHT STAY ON ALL THE TIME EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT OFF

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 13, 201910 milesPA

I HAVE A 2011 KIA FORTE WHICH HAS A BAD MOTOR WITH ONLY 106379 AND MOTOR IS RAPPING

Engine
Filed Apr 5, 2019115,000 milesMD

MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE ROD BEARING THAT'S THE CAUSE AND SUGGESTED I CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS WITH A KIA DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF KIA WOULD COVER THE COST. THE KIA DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE SAME PROBLEM, REACHED OUT TO KIA TO DISCUSS COVERING THE COSTS, AND KIA TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WOULDN'T. I WAS TOLD EITHER REPLACE THE ENGINE WHICH WITH PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE AROUND $4,500-$5,000 OR I COULD TRADE IT IN AND GET A FEW HUNDRED FOR IT. WHY ON EARTH WOULD I BUY ANOTHER KIA IF THEY'RE NOT EVEN GOING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM WHEN IT TURNS OUT TO BE AN ASSEMBLY DEFECT TO BEGIN WITH. WHAT'S EVEN MORE FRUSTRATING IS THAT THERE IS A ENGINE RECALL ON OPTIMAS AND SPORTAGES WITHIN THE SAME YEAR AS MY FORTE BUT THEY DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO OPEN UP A RECALL. READING ABOUT IT ONLINE THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME (ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED) PROBLEM BUT KIA STILL WON'T DO A RECALL FOR FORTE MODELS IN THE SAME YEAR RANGE. IF KIA WON'T DO RIGHT BY IT'S CUSTOMERS, I DON'T SEE THE MOTIVATION IN CONTINUING TO GIVE THEM MY BUSINESS.

Engine
Filed Mar 25, 201970,000 milesUT

THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER KIA OWNERS AND MECHANICS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE ENGINE COULD THROW A ROD.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 21, 2019129,720 milesOH

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CORRECT RECALL ISSUE (18V363). COMPLETED THE WORK AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. MY AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS "ON". INTERIM NOTICE ON RECALL MENTIONED IF AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND REMAINS ILLUMINATED TO TAKE TO DEALER. I BELIEVE, BECAUSE OF THIS, THAT THE TWO ARE RELATED AND THE REPAIR SHOULD LEAD TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOING OUT. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $200 TO CORRECT IT WITH A NEW SEATBELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IS THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINING ILLUMINATED RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL 18V363?

Engine
Filed Feb 18, 201978,000 milesIL

ENGINE IS MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, KIA SERVICE REFUSES TO BE ABLE TO HEAR IT AS IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THE SAME ISSUE IN OTHER KIA MODELS USING THE SAME ENGINE. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE ENGINES INCLUDING THE FORTE, WHICH WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. ACTION IS BEING TAKEN IN CANADA BY THE APA, BUT NOT IN THE US. DETAILS OF THE ISSUE ARE DOCUMENTED HERE: HTTP://TJL.QUEBEC/EN/CLASS-ACTION/KIA-FORTE-PROBLEMES-DE-MOTEUR/

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 5, 201932,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A CUT TO THE HEAD, AND INJURIES TO THE LEGS AND HIP. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: 1820224 WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 24, 201933,000 milesCA

THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS ARE BURNING OUR VERY 3 WEEKS WITH THE PLASTIC BULB CONNECTOR GETTING VERY , VERY HOT.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 15, 2019150,000 milesTX

I GOT INTO AN AUTO ACCIDENT A YEAR AGO AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. I DISCOVERED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS STILL DRIVABLE BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER ONE. WELL JUST THE OTHER DAY MY INSIDE DASH LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS , WELL BASICALLY ALL LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING IN AND OUT. MADE THE CAR BREAK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY. NEW FUEL PUMP, CHECKED STARTER AND ALTERNATOR. ALL OF THOSE ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. BUT MY CAR IS STILL BROKE DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

Engine
Filed Dec 9, 201847,000 milesCA

IN 2016, JUST A FEW MONTHS PAST THE FIVE YEAR WARRANTY, ENGINE STARTED MAKING NOISE. $5K REPAIR. ENGINE HAD BROKEN ENGINE BEARING CAUSING KNOCK SOUND. LESS THAN 50K MILES. MANY MODELS THAT YEAR RECALLED FOR ENGINE PROBLEMS, SAME MODEL IN SURROUNDING YEARS RECALLED FOR ENGINE PROBLEMS, ONLY TWO REMANUFACTURED ENGINES IN COUNTRY WHEN I NEEDED A REPLACEMENT. THIS SHOULD'VE HAD A RECALL. IT'S A COVER UP BY KIA.

Engine
Filed Dec 6, 2018120,000 milesCA

AT 120,000 MILES A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE BEGAN COMING FROM THE ENGINE AT ENGINE START. IT PERSISTS AND SOUNDS ALMOST LIKE AN ELECTRIC SEWING MACHINE - TAKA TAKA TAKA TAKA. THE SOUND GETS LOUDER WHEN I ACCELERATE AND DECREASES WHEN I DON'T PRESS THE GAS PEDAL. THE NOISE DECREASES SLIGHTLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS FULLY WARMED UP BUT IT IS STILL AUDIBLE. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN ENGINES, HIS DIAGNOSIS WAS "ROD BEARINGS NEED REPLACEMENT" I HAVE STARTED SEARCHING FOR THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND BECAME AWARE OF SAFETY RECALL SC147. UNFORTUNATELY THIS RECALL DOESN'T INCLUDE THE KIA FORTE MODEL. I SAW IN MY RESEARCH ONLINE THAT MANY OTHER FORTE OWNERS WERE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. IN ADDITION, MY CAR'S ENGINE "THETA II" 2.0 LITER APPEARS TO BE THE SAME ENGINE THAT IS INCLUDED AMONG THE RECALLED MODELS INCLUDED IN SC147. I AM WONDERING WHY THE KIA FORTE IS NOT INCLUDED AS IT SEEMS TO BE SUFFERING FROM THE SAME ISSUE. IS THIS A QUESTION OF ACCOUNTABILITY, OR LACK THEREOF ON KIA/HYUNDAI'S SIDE.

Engine
Filed Nov 29, 201890,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE, THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SHOALS UNIVERSITY KIA (4109 N JACKSON HWY, SHEFFIELD, AL 35660, (256) 978-1000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXTENSION WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 6, 2018WI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND MIDDLE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT AND/OR LATCH WHEN PROMPTED. UPON SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO EXTEND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND MIDDLE SEAT BELTS FOR LATCHING PURPOSES, THE SEAT BELTS MADE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE THAT SOUNDED FROM THE REAR BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. ROSEN KIA MILWAUKEE (5505 SOUTH 27TH STREET, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53221, (414) 282-9300) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE SEAT BELT FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY COVERAGE HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Engine
Filed Nov 1, 2018168,000 milesMI

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT ROUGHLY 65 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL. ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A VERY LOUD BANG, TACHOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO, OIL STARTED SPRAYING ALL OVER FROM UNDERNEATH CAR. I MANAGED TO COAST THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FOUND A FIST-SIZED HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. SHARDS OF METAL AND OIL WERE ALL OVER THE ROAD, CREATING A HAZARD. EVEN THOUGH THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME AS OTHER KIA VEHICLES WITH THE SAME 2.4L THETA ENGINE, ACCORDING TO KIA, MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OF THOSE ENGINES. KIA CLAIMS THAT BECAUSE THE FUEL SYSTEM IN MY CAR IS NOT "GDI", IT IS NOT INCLUDED. EVEN THOUGH, BY KIA'S OWN ADMISSION, THE ISSUE IS DUE TO CRANKSHAFT ISSUES, WHICH HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE AND THE RECALLED ENGINES SHARE THE SAME CRANKSHAFT,AND THE SAME OEM PART NUMBER, EVEN. YET, SOMEHOW BECAUSE THE FUEL SYSTEM IS NOT "GDI", MY ENGINE ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. KIA NEEDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND INCLUDE FORTE 2.4L NON-GDI ENGINES IN THE RECALL AS WELL. MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING NOW FOR OVER A YEAR WAITING FOR AN ENGINE.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 18, 2018OH

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air BagsCrash3 injured1 killed
Filed Sep 27, 2018OH

OTHER AIR BAG RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT TRAVELED LEFT OF THE CENTERLINE ON A TWO LANE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED IN AN OFF-SET, HEAD-ON COLLISION. THE DRIVER AIR BAG AND DRIVER SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO DEPLOY / ACTIVATE DURING THE SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURY.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 20, 201813,000 milesCA

I HAD A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY& SAFETY BEHIND THE WHEEL OF MY 2011 KIA FORTE WHEN I WAS SUDDENLY FACING A HABITUAL DRUNK DRIVER, CREAMING US HEAD-ON AND MY AIRBAGS FATO DEPLOY. I HAVE UNDERGONE 8 SURGERIES TO TRY TO REPAIR MY BROKEN BODY. I LOST MY FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS BECAUSE MY AIRBAGS FAILED ME. IS THERE A MONETARY VALUE TO KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY?

Air BagsCrash
Filed Sep 20, 201892,252 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A FIRE HYDRANT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHWEST KIA AUSTIN (13175 N US-183, AUSTIN, TX 78750, (512) 583-1900), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO SOUTHWEST KIA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,252.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 15, 201890,000 milesCA

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FOR MY KIA FORTE 2011 FOR THE SEATBELTS AND AIRBAGS. I DO NOT WISH TO PUT MY SAFETY AT RISK. I HAVE TO DRIVE TO WORK EVERYDAY AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO USE MY CAR. I REALLY WISH KIA WOULD GIVE ME A RENTAL CAR. WITH MY KIA, I HAVE NOTICED THAT I PUT MY SEATBELT ON AND SUDDENLY IT BECOMES UNBUCKLED AS IF IT WAS RELEASED. THIS HAPPENED OFTEN BEFORE I BECAME AWARE OF THE RECALL. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AFTER I TURNED IT ON. I DO NOT WISH TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT AND THEN THE SEATBELT AND/OR AIRBAG DON'T WORK. PLEASE SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALMOST 60 DAYS WAITING FOR A REMEDY. KIA DOESN'T WANT TO HELP IN OTHER WAYS! I NEED A RENTAL CAR THAT IS THE LEAST THEY CAN DO!

Air Bags
Filed Sep 4, 2018WA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED CAMPBELL NISSAN OF EDMONDS (24325 WA-99, EDMONDS, WA 98026, (425) 774-2174) SEVERAL TIMES, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 20, 201812,000 milesCA

MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN A HABITUAL DRUNK DRIVER HIT US HEAD-ON 7/11/2013. I HAD A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY THAT MY AIRBAGS WOULD KEEP ME SAFE. I HAVE REQUIRED 8 SURGERIES TO MEND MY BROKENNESS, INCLUDING A COMPLETE HYSTERECTOMY, BILATERAL SACROILIAC JOINT FUSIONS AND TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 20, 2018AZ

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED CAMELBACK KIA AT 602-388-1276 (LOCATED AT 1450 E CAMELBACK RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Power Train
Filed Aug 16, 201896,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTI-SKID WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHWEST KIA AUSTIN (13175 N, US -183, AUSTIN, TX 78750, 512-583-1900), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Aug 15, 2018200,000 milesGA

TAKATA RECALL CAR STARTING SMOKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF SMOKE INCREASED FIRE INITIATED IN CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE(DRIVER SIDE) IN THE CORNER UNDERNEATH WINDSHIELD. ENTIRE CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 2, 2018VA

POSSIBLE HOLE IN TRANSMISSION TUBE

Engine
Filed Jul 23, 2018PA

2011 KIA FORTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ILLUMINATED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT TH INTAKE MANIFOLD WOULD CAUSE A FIRE. *JS

Steering
Filed Jul 23, 201875,000 milesAL

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE AND A SLIGHT LOOSENESS TO IT. ALSO AT SOME SPEEDS OR ON BUMPIER ROADS, THERE IS A VIBRATION, WHICH IS NOT DUE TO ANY OTHER MECHANICAL ISSUES SINCE I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT. UPON CALLING THE DEALER, THEY EXPLAINED THAT IT IS THE SAME STEERING COUPLING PROBLEM THEY ARE HAVING WITH THE OPTIMA, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE KIA FORTE. THE PART IS LESS THAN $5.00, BUT THE LABOR IS $440 BECAUSE IT TAKES 4 HOURS TO REPLACE A RUBBER COUPLING. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED AS IT IS WITH THE OPTIMA, SINCE IT IS THE SAME ISSUE.

Power Train
Filed Jul 7, 2018120,000 milesGA

ENGINE TRANSMISSION IMPROPERLY DOWNSHIFTS ON ITS OWN FOR ABOUT A SECOND BEFORE RECOVERING. THE CAR STALLS AT RED LIGHTS; IT STALLS AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING AT 5MPH, CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. NO DTC CODES SHOWN WHEN EXAMINED. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED. THE IMPROPER SHIFTING OF TRANSMISSION GEAR IS VERY SCARY BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR HAS SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES FOR ABOUT A SECOND BEFORE RECOVERING THE GEAR. MY CAR IS AUTO TRANSMISSION. IT'S LIKE ACCELERATING FROM 40 TO 70MPH AND EXPECTING THE GEARS TO SHIFT 4,5,6....BUT INSTEAD IT'S SHIFTING BY ITSELF FROM 4,5, THEN TO 3RD GEAR, AND THEN RECOVERING TO THE 6TH GEAR. IT IS VERY VERY SCARY... I TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE IT TO AAMCO. THEY RESET MY TRANSMISSION VALUES TO NO EFFECT. WHEN THESE EVENTS OCCURR I HAVE NO CRUISE CONTROL. NO DTC CODE HAS POPPED UP. MY CAR STALLS AT RED LIGHTS, OR WHEN LEAVING MY CAR ON FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

Air BagsCrash4 injured
Filed Jun 11, 2018115,000 milesTX

TAKATA RECALL. WE WERE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT WHEN WE WERE REAR ENDED ON 4/2/18. THE DRIVER WAS GOING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 50-70 MPH. MY AIR BAGS NEVER INFLATED CAUSING ALOT OF INJURIES. MY DRIVER HEAD REST WAS EJECTED CAUSING INJURY TO MY DAUGHTERS FACE.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 11, 201895,000 milesTX

IN APRIL 2016 MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH TOTALED OUR KIA FORTE 2011. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT I SPENT ENDLESS WEEKS WITH VARIOUS REPRESENTATIVES FROM KIA EXPRESSING MY CONCERN. I SEE THE RECALL HAS TAKEN PLACE BUT ALMOST 2 YEARS LATER AND AFTER PEOPLE HAVE DIED. I AM APPALLED, I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE DID AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO AND THAT AIR BAGS DONT ALWAYS DEPLOY. KIA CORPORATE WAS AWARE THERE WAS AN ISSUE. MY WIFE DID NOT DIE BUT OBVIOUSLY FROM THE ENCLOSED PICTURES THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE. MY WIFE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND THEN THROWN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT WHICH TIME THE DRIVERS DOOR FLEW OPEN YET NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED TO PROTECT HER. PEOPLE NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE THESE DEATHS COULD HAVE BEEN AVERTED.

Engine
Filed Jun 2, 201882,000 milesMD

THE ENGINE HAS BEEN MAKING A TICKING CLICKING SOUND WHEN AT IDLE AND WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW. NOT SURE IF IT GOES AWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS OR BECUASE OF THE POOR NOISE PROOFING OF THE CAR THAT DROWNS OUT THE SOUND. ANYWAY I STARTED LOOKING ONLINE TO SEE IF PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THEY DID AND COSTING ANYWHERE FROM 5000 TO 7000 FOR THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF "PISTON, ROD KNOCKING ISSUES". FURTHERMORE, I'VE LEARNED THAT KIA HAS RECALLED THE ENGINES IN SEVERAL OF THEIR OTHER MODELS. THIS RECALL WAS PUT INTO PLACE BECAUSE THE ENGINES ARE "STALLING" AND POSING A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS CAR CAN NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE ENGINE IS REPLACE. MY RESEARCH SEEMS TO TELL ME THAT THIS MODEL LINE SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST BEFORE PEOPLE GET INJURED. SEEMS LIKE THE SAME ISSUES AS THE ENGINES WITH THE RECALL ARE HAVING.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Apr 11, 201813,000 milesCA

I WAS HIT HEAD-ON AT 65MPH AND MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IT HAS CAUSED ME HORRIBLE INJURIES INCLUDING A CERVICAL NECK FUSION, BILATERAL SACROILIAC JOINT FUSIONS, NECESSITY OF A TOTAL HYSTERECTOMY DUE TO MY UTERUS & FELOPIAN TUBES PERFORATING, GASTRIC ADHESIONS AND A TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT. I HOLD KIA RESPONSIBLE. I HAD CONFIDENCE THAT I WOULD BE SAFE IN MY 2011 KIA FORTE. I LOST MY VERY ESSENCE OF BEING A WOMAN BECAUSE MY AIRBAGS FAILED AFTER BEING CLOBBERED HEAD-ON BY A FULL-SIZE PICK-UP TRUCK. MOST FRUSTRATING IS THE CONSTANT PAIN AND SUFFERING, ADDED TO MY ALREADY A 100% DISABLED NAVY VETERAN.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 1, 2018119,000 milesTX

ON 3/31/2018 AT 10:00 AM MY WIFE'S SUNROOF ON HER 2011 KIA FORTE EXPLODED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. SHE WAS NOT TRYING TO OPEN THE SUNROOF AND THE SUNROOF COVER WAS CLOSED. THERE WAS NOT A CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HER, AND THE WEATHER WAS 70 DEGREES AND SUNNY. THERE WAS NO FLUCTUATION IN TEMPERATURE FROM THE DAY BEFORE. THERE IS NO REASON WHY IT EXPLODED. SHE WAS STARTLED BUT NOT INJURED BY THE INCIDENT.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 19, 201885,000 milesIL

I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHERE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT THEN LANDED ON MY FRONT WINDSHIELD AND TOP OF MY CAR CAUSING IT TO BE TOTALED. AT IMPACT AND DESPITE WEARING A SEATBELT MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAUSED EXTREME BRUISING AND PAIN. THE ROAD WAS SLICK WITH RAIN.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2011 Kia Forte → · Every Forte year → · How the figures are calculated →