NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Kia Forte. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE A COOLANT LINE RECALL INSTALLED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND LATER A MECHANIC REMARKED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A SERIOUS "KNOCK" AND BOTH MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE EITHER NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. IT ONLY HAS 81K MILES. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN I ASKED ABOUT POSSIBLE TRADE IN VALUE I WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD ONLY GIVE ME $500. NOW I SEE THERE ARE RECALLS IN MOTION FROM BOTH HYUNDAI AND KIA FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL DURING OPERATION. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE RECALL AFFECTING THE FORTE VERSION, BUT IT DOES HAVE THE 2.0 LITER ENGINE WHICH IS INCLUDED IN AN UPCOMING RECALL.
"A SOUTH KOREAN WHISTLEBLOWER REPORTED CONCERNS LAST YEAR TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA), WHICH WILL PROBE THE TIMELINESS OF THREE RECALLS CARRIED OUT IN THE UNITED STATES AND WHETHER THEY COVERED ENOUGH VEHICLES." MY 2008 KIA OPTIMA (174000 MILES) WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH SIMILAR ISSUES BY A KIA DEALER (THE ENGINE BEARINGS FAILED ACCORDING TO THE TECH., WITH METAL IN THE OIL FILTER) THE SOUND IT MAKES IS ALSO HEARD, THOUGH LESS OBVIOUS WHEN DRY STARTING MY 2011 KIA FORTE. PLEASE LOOK INTO INCLUDING BOTH OF THESE CARS IN THE RECALL. IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW., PS: I REGULARLY CHANGE THE OIL 3-4000 MILES ON BOTH CARS,. REFER TO ARTICLE: HTTPS://WWW.YAHOO.COM/NEWS/M/ABB24D07-A29F-3A32-A689-DFB220B11F54/SS_FEDS-OPEN-INVESTIGATION-INTO.HTML
TRAVELING 45 TO 55 MPH RAN INTO FOUR LARGE DEERS AND RAN OFF ROAD. DAMAGE FRONT OF CAR. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON BUT DID NOT FLATE. I SUBSTAIN SEVERE SHOULDER INJURY.
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.
I HAVE A 2011 KIA FORTE, HOW CAN I GET IT OUT OF THE SECURITY, (STUCK ON SECURITY STUCK ON SECURITY MODE MAKE TICKING NOSE ON THE RT HAND INSIDE UNDER HOOD. I ONLY DRIVE IN THE CITY OF MEMPHIS TN, STREET AND EXPRESS WAY.
WHEN YOU START THE CAR WHILE IN PARK THE LOCKS ON THEIR OWN WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK REPEATEDLY. IF YOU START THE CAR AND PUT IT IN DRIVE THE LOCKS WILL ON THEIR OWN AGAIN LOCK AND UNLOCK 7-8 TIMES ON THEIR OWN. SINCE THIS ISSUE THE KEY SET WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOOR. KIA MOTORS CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT.
WHEN I'M DRIVING MY CAR IT JERKS FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO TURN OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. 2011 KIA FORTE KOUP.. UPDATED 04/13/17 *BF *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 01/04/17*LJ
WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT ALONG AN INTERSTATE WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL SET TO THE SPEED LIMIT, A LOUD BANG CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY KIA, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR TURNED ON, AND SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND INSIDE MY CAR THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL GENTLY, THERE WAS A LOW GUTTURAL NOISE AND MY CAR WAS NOT PICKING UP SPEED. I PUT MY CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SHOULDER WITH LOW VISIBILITY AS THE SMOKE BECAME MORE DENSE AND DARKER IN COLOR. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO A FULL STOP ON THE SHOULDER AND PUT IT INTO PARK BEFORE TURNING IT OFF AND REMOVING MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION. UPON EXITING THE CAR I NOTICED THE SMOKE WAS EVEN MORE INTENSE THAN BEFORE AND PROMPTLY CALLED 911 AND GAVE MY LOCATION AND SITUATION INFORMATION TO THE 911 REPRESENTATIVE. AS I WAS SPEAKING, I NARRATED IN HORROR AS FLAMES BECAME VISIBLE FROM UNDER THE CAR ITSELF AND UNDER THE HOOD AS WELL, IN AS LITTLE AS ONE MINUTE AFTER EXITING MY CAR. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT TO THE VEHICLE, THE FLAMES WERE OVER 20 FEET TALL AND THE HEAT WAS UNBEARABLE; I RELOCATED MYSELF FARTHER AND FARTHER AWAY TO STAY COOL AND SAFE AS THE TIME WENT ON. NOBODY WAS BURNED, HURT, OR INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT, BUT ONLY MY MERE COINCIDENCE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE HOSE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED THE TEST DRIVE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED FROM LACK OF TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO THE FAULTY HOSE, AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,600.
ESC LIGHT FLASHING NUMEROUS TIMES WITH LOSS OF POWER WHILE ON DRY, STRAIGHT ROAD. VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS FOUND A CONNECTION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. HAD KIA TECH IN AND CERTIFIED THE VEHICLE AS SAFE. THIS WAS IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2015. THE SAME INDICATIONS AND POWER LOSS OCCURRED AGAIN IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2016. IN EVERY CASE IT HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC CAUSING AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME MY FAMILY AND THE OTHER VEHICLES IN THE TRAFFIC. TO DATE THE DEALER OR KIA HAS FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION (50 MPH OR LESS) CITY STREETS OR ROAD AND NOT TURNING, IN MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC.
ON 7/24 MY 21 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES (WITH BOTH FEET) AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. SHE ENDED UP COLLIDING WITH A WALL WHICH DISCONNECTED THE POWER AND THE CAR STOPPED ABOUT 50 FEET FROM POINT OF IMPACT.
IN JULY OF 2016, I WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON THE 495 BELTWAY AND HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES AT ONE POINT FROM HITTING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH AND THEN PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR HAD A LOT OF DAMAGE AND I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THAT ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD COME ON TWICE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND THE DEALERSHIP JUST RESET IT WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC AND HAVE IT FIXED. I AM IN VIRGINIA AND CANNOT HAVE THE CAR PASS INSPECTION WITH THE LIGHT ON. I'M FURIOUS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND KIA!
MY AIR CONDITIONING CLUTCH PULLEY ASSEMBLY HAS A FAILING BEARING THAT MAKES A WHINING NOISE. THE ASSEMBLY IS SEPARATE FROM THE A/C COMPRESSOR. I'M AFRAID THE BEARING WILL EVENTUALLY SEIZE AND CAUSE THE PULLEY TO FREEZE, WHICH WILL THUS CAUSE MY SERPENTINE BELT TO RUPTURE AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WHILE DRIVING. I THINK THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD THAT KIA SHOULD FIX AS IT SEEMS TO BE COMMON ON MY MAKE MODEL AND YEAR.
MY 2011 KIA FORTE STALLS RANDOMLY WHILE I DRIVE IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN MULTIPLE DRIVING SITUATIONS. TWO INCIDENTS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 805 SOUTH IN SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA. ANOTHER INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS LEAVING THE MARRIOTT HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO (IN THIS INSTANCE, I HAD TO COAST THE CAR OFF OF THE TRACKS -FORTUNATELY NO TRAIN WAS COMING AT THAT TIME). IN DESCRIBING MY EXPERIENCES IN ONE OF THESE INCIDENTS, I OFFER THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION: ON JUNE 6, 2016, WHILE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 805 IN SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA, THE CAR JUST STALLED. WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THE MOTOR WOULD REV BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. I HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AND DRIVE TO SAFETY. PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE REPEATEDLY BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP IN AN ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM (YET THEY HAVE CHARGED ME FOR SERVICES RENDERED). I FILED MY COMPLAINT WITH KIA CORPORATE CONSUMER ASSISTANCE. THEY HAVE ASKED ME TO BRING THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR "ESCALATED SERVICES" THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. EACH TIME I THINK THE CAR IS REPAIRED, THEN I EXPERIENCE ANOTHER INCIDENT. THE LATEST INCIDENT HAPPENED TWO WEEKS AFTER MY LATEST VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO ON THE NIGHT OF JULY 8 2016. THE CAR STALLED AGAIN! MY FAMILY AND I FEEL LIKE WE ARE IN CONSTANT DANGER DRIVING THIS CAR. YET, WE NEED THIS CAR IN CONDUCTING OUR FAMILY AFFAIRS. KIA CORPORATE CANNOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AND WE DO NOT KNOW HOW BEST TO PROCEED. WE FEEL THAT OUR SAFETY IS AT STAKE AND WE ARE HOPING THAT THIS SITUATION CAN BE RESOLVED BEFORE ANY HARM COME TO OUR FAMILY OR TO OTHERS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I CAN OBTAIN REPAIR DOCUMENTS, BUT I DO NOT HAVE THEM AT THIS MOMENT.
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.
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.
WHEN PULLING INTO THE GARAGE TO PARK THE CAR, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW/STOP. THE CAR EXELLERATED VIOLENTLY AND THE CAR CRASHED INTO SOME STORED ITEMS AT THE BACK WALL. I INSTINCTIVELY STOMPED HARDER ON THE BRAKE AND TURNED THE KEY OFF. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN - THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T OUT IN TRAFFIC OR POINTED OUT MY DRIVEWAY, SINCE THAT IS A 60 FOOT PLUNGE TO THE LAKE! THE FRONT BUMPER WAS DAMAGED AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT - WON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER DAMAGE WAS DONE INTERNALLY UNTIL THE REPAIR IS COMPLETED. I SEE ONLINE THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH OTHER KIA FORTE OWNERS, BUT KIA HAS NOT BEEN REQUIRED TO DO A RECALL "SINCE THEY CANNOT RE-CREATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES". PLEASE INVESTIGATE FURTHER BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 20000 MILES CODE# P200A INTAKE MANIFOLD SENSOR
MY CAR BROKE DOWN IN DECEMBER 2015, WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY FIX IT. I PAID OVER 1000 USD. 2 MONTHS LATER THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAME REASON MY CAR BROKE DOWN COUPLE MONTS BEFORE THAT RECALL. UNTIL THIS DAY I HAVE TRIED TO GET MY MONEY BACK AND THEY DONT WANT TO GIVE ME A REFUND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELEY DUE TO THE HOSE OF THE TRANSMISION FLUID. 04/01/2021: ODI # CHANGED FROM 11054837 TO 11054367 AS PART OF ROUTINE DATA CLEANUP.
TOOK MY 2011 KIA FORTE INTO THE KIA DEALERSHIP TODAY BECAUSE THE ENGINE IS MAKING A TICKING SOUND. I HAVE HAD TWO OTHER MECHANICS IN RECENT WEEKS TELL ME IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE LIFTERS AND/OR THE PISTONS INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE KIA MECHANIC REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A TICKING SOUND, BUT IN FORMED ME THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY $1100 TO HAVE THE AIR BAG SENSOR REPAIRED BEFORE I CAN SELL THE CAR. ALSO, MY BRAKES WILL OCCASIONALLY MAKE A VERY LOUD 'THUMP' WHEN I APPLY THEM, BUT THE KIA DEALER CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELT LOCKED. THE KEY FOB WAS DEPRESSED AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000. UPDATED 11/12/15*LJ; UPDATED 4/5/18*JB *TR
MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON HIM TAKING HIM TO THE LEFT AND HE HAD TO JERK IT BACK VERY HARD TO UNLOCK IT TO STAY ON THE ROAD, THANK GOODNESS THERE WAS NO ON COMING TRAFFIC. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND IT ALSO LOCKS WHEN PUT IN PARK AND I CAN'T GET IT TO START OR GET STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE.
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS CLICK AS THOUGH THEY ARE CONNECTED PROPERLY, BUT THE BUCKLE DOES NOT STAY CONNECTED AND DISCONNECTS DURING NORMAL USE, STATIONARY, IN MOTION, TURNING OR GOING STRAIGHT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE STRAIGHT ALTHOUGH THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT INDICATED ONCE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED BACK TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/12/2017*CN
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.
CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. I HAD NO IDEA AT THE TIME WHAT THE ISSUE COULD BE BECAUSE IN THE KIA OWNERS MANUAL IT DOES NOT STATE THAT ONCE THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT, YOU CAN NOT TAKE IT OUT OF PARK. CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR UNTIL I USED THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE TO TAKE IT OUT OF GEAR. DROVE IT HOME AND FOUND A BLOWN FUZE (BRAKE LIGHT FUSE) .. REPLACED IT AND DROVE FINE (WHILE IT WAS DOING THIS THE ELECTRICAL SUSPENSION LIGHT CAME ON ALSO). FAST FORWARD 7 DAYS, WAS DRIVING OUT OF TOWN AND THE SUSPENSION LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AND I KNEW THEN THE ISSUE WAS BACK. SURE ENOUGH. HAD TO TAKE IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP OUT OF TOWN .. THEY REPLACED MY FUZE, BRAKE LIGHT BULB AND BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY SWITCH. FAST FORWARD A WEEK AND A HALF AND THE PROBLEM IS BACK ... KIA IS TELLING ME OVER $1000 AND I'M NOT GOING TO BE GUARANTEED THAT THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER AND PURCHASED THIS CAR BECAUSE I FELT IT WOULD BE A SAFE CAR FOR ME AND MY SON AND NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT IS NOT SAFE ... NO BRAKE LIGHTS ARE SERIOUSLY NOT SAFE AT ALL!!! *JS
I BOUGHT A 2011 KIA FORTE AND WAS HAVING ISSUES WHERE THE CAR SEEMED LIKE IT WAS DYING AFTER INITIAL STARTING OF THE VEHICLE AND SOMETIMES WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. AFTER DRIVING IT SEEMS TO CORRECT ITSELF AND I BROUGHT IT INTO KIA. THEY PUT IT UNDER A SPECIFIC CLAIM NUMBER INCASE THE WARRANTY WENT OUT IT IS STILL COVERED. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE CAR STARTED TO NOT GO INTO GEAR EVEN MORE AND ISSUE OF DYING SEEMS MORE PREVALENT. NOW KIA IS TRYING TO SAY IT COULD BE A NUMBER OF THINGS WHICH ARE NOT COVERED BECAUSE THE WARRANTY IS UP FROM FACTORY, AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY CLAIM DOESN'T COVER POWERTRAIN WHICH LAST TIME I CHECKED POWERTRAIN INCLUDES SHIFTER/GEAR SHIFTER. THEY ARE NOW REFUSING TO FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THE ACTUAL PROBLEM IS BUT HAVE SEEN THE ISSUE FIRST HAND. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES AND 70% OF THE TIME YOU CANT PUT IT INTO GEAR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN SINCE IT COULD POP INTO ANY GEAR IT WANTED TO AND IF I AM DOING 70 MPH AND IT DECIDES TO GO INTO PARK IT WONT BE A FUN RIDE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE CONTACT TO CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POST. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
2011 KIA FORTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INTERMITTENT ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE WOULD DROP TO AN IDLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP FORWARD, WITH THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF THE ACCELERATOR. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB
THE WARNING INFORMATION IS NOT CORRECT ON THE SPARE TIRE ON MY 2011 KIA FORTE. IT'S LISTED IN KILOMETERS PER HOUR AND KILOMETERS ON THE WARNING STICKER. THERE IS NO INFORMATION FOR MILES AND MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW IN THE UNITED STATES, IT SHOULD HAVE THE CORRECT LABEL INFORMATION. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE COUPE EQUIPPED WITH NEXEN N5000 TIRES, SIZES P215/45/R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOTISIC REVIEW AND THEY COULD NOT INDICATE THE CAUSE FOR THE BLOW OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,900. PAM
THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM (A/C) IS CREATING MOLD IN THE VEHICLE. KIA WILL NOT REPAIR AND HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A VERY STRONG ODOR WHILE RUNNING THE A/C AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. BOTH THE DEALER AND KIA MOTORS, USA HAVE DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE MOLD ISSUE. BOTH ASPERGILLIUS/PENICILLIUM AND STACHYBOTRYS/MEMNOIELLA WERE FOUND IN GREATER ABUNDANCE IN THE INTERIOR AIR SAMPLE THAN IN THE EXTERIOR AIR SAMPLE. THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPANY PERFORMING THE TEST RECOMMENDED THAT "THE DUCT SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE TREATED WITH A FUNGICIDE TO KILL EXISTING MOLD SPORES AND HELP PREVENT NEW MOLD GROWTH." THE TEST RESULTS WERE SHARE WITH KIA MOTORS OF AMERICA, IRVINE CALIFORNIA, AND NO CORRECTIVE MEASURES OR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED BY KIA. I HAVE IDLED THE VEHICLE AND IT IS NO LONGER IN USE SINCE MY DAUGHTER DEVELOPED SERIOUS HEADACHES WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH THE A/C ON. I HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE KIA IS JUST SITTING IN FRONT OF MY HOME SINCE IT IS NOT DRIVE ABLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE AND I CANNOT GET ANY ACTION FROM KIA TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. MOLD IS NOT AN ISSUE JUST IN THE HOME AS WE HAVE FOUND IN THIS SITUATION. THE KIA TECHNICIANS WORKING ON THESE VEHICLES ARE INHALING MOLD, AND OWNERS DRIVING THESE VEHICLES ARE ALSO INHALING MOLD. GRANTED, IT IS NOT A MECHANICAL ISSUE, BUT IT DOES IMPACT THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF DRIVERS OPERATING A VEHICLE WITH MOLD IN ET A/C SYSTEM. A MECHANIC HAS SUGGESTED THAT THE EVAPORATOR CORE IN THESE VEHICLES MAY BE DEFECTIVE, OR A DESIGN DEFECT ALLOWS MOISTURE TO ACCUMULATE IN THE A/C SYSTEM AND DEVELOP MOLD. THANK YOU, *TR
I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND IN MY 2011 KIA FORTE AT 70 MPH WHILE I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK AT ALL FOR ME TO STOP ON THE ROAD BEFORE I WAS PUSHED INTO AN 8FT DEEP DITCH, INTO BIG BRANCHES AND MY CAR THEN BOUNCED THROUGH A HUGE FIELD. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THEY SHOULD HAVE, THE FRONT OF MY CAR IS DENTED IN FROM THE IMPACT OF THE DITCH AND THEN THE SEATBEAT DID NOT LOCK UP, IT THREW ME INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME I HAVE PERSONALLY HEARD ABOUT THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING IN A KIA AND THE SEAT BELT NOT LOCKING UP. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO GAIN SPEED TO ENTER THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS AND HAD TO PULL OVER. I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP 10 MILES AWAY. I AM AWAITING A CALL FROM THEM REGARDING REPAIRS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 60 MPH CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO BE PUSHED FORWARD AT APPROXIMATELY TWO HUNDRED FEET AND INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD REST AND METAL BAR BECAME SEPARATED UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM WHIPLASH, NECK STRAINS, AND LACERATIONS TO THE LOWER BACK AND RIGHT LEG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
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.
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.
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?
LIVING ONLY 3.7 MILES FROM MY WORK I DRIVE TO WORK 2 TIMES DAILY, MON- FRI, ROUND TRIP. I COME HOME FOR MY LUNCH HOUR. NEVER BEING ABLE TO DRIVE FASTER THAN 20-30 MPH DUE TO THE ROADS & BUSYNESS OF THEM DURING THAT TIME I HAD NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE. I HAD NOTICED PRIOR TO MY ACCIDENT THAT AT TIMES MY 6 SPEED 2011 KIA FORTE KOUP WAS VERY RESISTANT TO PUT IT INTO 1ST GEAR. ALMOST AS IF IT WAS LOCKING THE SHIFTER OUT. HAVING IT LOOKED AT BY A KIA DEALERSHIP, THEY CLAIMED IT WAS JUST "USER ERROR"...PERHAPS MY FOOT WASN'T PRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE CLUTCH OR B/C I'M A WOMAN? THIS WAS NOT MY FIRST MANUAL CAR! SO AS I LEFT MY HOUSE FOR WORK AFTER LUNCH I NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME I UPSHIFTED MY CAR DID THIS JERKING THING, ALMOST AS IF THE BRAKES WERE WORKING WHEN THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN. I TOLD MYSELF WHEN I GET TO WORK (IN 8 MINS) I WOULD CALL MY BROTHER WHO IS A MECHANIC. I DIDN'T GET MY CAR TO WORK SAFELY. I ENDED UP REAR ENDING A TRUCK WHO ROLLED FORWARD INTO A NEW CAMARO, EVERYONE WAS OK THANK GOD! AS I APPROACHED THE STOP LIGHT W/3 CARS STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT ALREADY. I PROCEEDED TO SLOW DOWN .3 MILES FROM THE LIGHT & IT SEEMED AS IF IT WAS SLOWING DOWN IN SLOW MOTION. WHEN I REALIZED MY BRAKES WEREN'T ACTUALLY SLOWING THE CAR DOWN FROM 28MPH, I DID EVERYTHING I COULD TO STOP BY CAR BEFORE CRASHING. I TRIED DOWN SHIFTING AS WELL AS SLAMMING DOWN ON THE BRAKES. IT WAS AS IF MY BRAKES WERE NON EXISTENT. IF I HAD TIME LEFT I WOULD HAVE YANKED UP ON THE E BRAKE...I WAS ONLY 1.2 MILES FROM MY WORK! NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF NOR WAS MY CAR TOTALED. I PAID CASH FOR THIS CAR IN 2011 & SINCE HAVING WRECKED I'VE FELT IT WAS NOT SAFE FOR MY FAMILY TO DRIVE. AFTER FIXING THE REPAIRS & PAYING MY DEDUCTIBLE I TRADED THE CAR IN. I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW CAR WHICH I NOW HAVE A CAR PAYMENT ON. I HOPE THAT THIS ISSUE CAN BE DISCOVERED & RESOLVED BEFORE IT HURTS ANYONE SEVERELY. *TR
IN A MULTI HIT CAR ACCIDENT, INITIAL 30 MPH FRONT END, THEN 20 MPH REAR HIT. SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS ARE BURNING OUR VERY 3 WEEKS WITH THE PLASTIC BULB CONNECTOR GETTING VERY , VERY HOT.
I WAS STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY AND REAR ENDED THEN PUSHED INTO A PKUP IN FRONT OF ME AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE ENDED UP BEING TOTALED OUT DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE REAR AND FRONT END DAMAGE. THE CAR THAT HIT ME WAS SKIDDING AND TRAVELING AT APPROX 30-35 MPH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ODOMETER READ 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR REVERSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,000.
TL* TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SHE VEERED INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE IMPACT WAS TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF BOTH VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE ACCIDENT WAS BEING INVESTIGATED. UPDATED 7/26/12 *CN UPDATED 08/06/12
WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS FELT THIS SUDDEN JERK (LIKE I HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND) AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. WHEN I GOT PULLED OVER I PLACED IT IN PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE IT WOULD NOT PULL FORWARD. TRIED TO PUT INTO THE MANUAL SHIFT SIDE AND IT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING THERE EITHER. *TR
DRIVING IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO AN ALLEY. VEHICLE THEN RAPIDLY ACCELERATED THROUGH THE ALLEY AND THEN SMASHED INTO THE TREE. CAN'T REMEMBER IF BRAKES WERE APPLIED OR NOT. IT ALL HAPPENED TO QUICKLY. KIA FORTE WAS TOTALED AND DRIVER WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH EXTENSIVE INJURIES (FOOT BROKEN, HAND WAS BROKEN, VERTIBRAE DAMAGE) HOSPITALIZED FOR APPROX. 5 DAYS AND NURSING HOME FOR APPROX. 10 DAYS. LAST VISIT TO SURGEON FOR SMASHED FOOT IN 4/2013. *TR
TRAN. WENTOUT STILL NOT WORKING. *TR
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION IN WHICH I WAS ONLY TRAVELING 20 MPH. BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AIRBAG AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG BOTH DEPLOYED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I REALIZED THAT THE SEAT BEHIND ME HAD UNLATCHED AND MY SON'S BOOSTER CAR SEAT WAS THROWN FROM ITS PLACE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, HE WASN'T BUCKLED IN; HE WAS AT SCHOOL. NEVERTHELESS, I THINK THAT THIS MALFUNCTION COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY SERIOUSLY HURT MY SON. THE CAR WAS DEEMED AT TOTAL LOSS AND I WILL NOT PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026