There are 3 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2024 Kia Fortein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Car has been in several times for repair clutch assembly clutch plate, flywheel transmission, and the problem continues with shifting it does not want to go into gear it grinds even with the clutch fully to the floor. It will not go into first gear, not going to reverse intermittently and sometimes it will go from 1st to 5th third gear is missing sometimes first gear is missing this can happen at any given time shifting putting it into reverse sometimes it will not go into gear. It will just grind gears or taking off from a dead stop. It will not go into first gear. It will automatically go into third gear even though you’re putting it over and trying to put it into first gear, it will not engage in first gear. It will go to third gear and if you try to put it in a different gear, it will grind. Kia is aware of the issue with my vehicle and another vehicle that is experiencing the same problems and is unable to fix them this is an ongoing intermittent issue
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Forte GT. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH on an off-ramp and making a right turn, the lane assist feature had malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to steer and crash into the guard rail. During the incident, the passenger side of the vehicle was damaged along with the guard rail. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was driven away. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Previously, while driving, the vehicle had experienced transmission failures, causing the vehicle to jerk and shudder while attempting to accelerate. The RMPS failed to increase over 1.5 and failed to accelerate during normal mode however, in sports mode, the vehicle performed normally. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 14,000.
While the vehicle was approximately ten months old with approximately 11K miles, it was continuously not functioning properly and would not start/accelerate. My 2024 KIA Forte, which was purchased new from a KIA dealership, has continuously failed to function properly. It had a water pump replaced after failing to be operated for more than a week and has since continued to fail - this time for not starting at all, not accelerating properly, and losing all power while driving (switching off completely) on at least two separate occasions. The dealership stated that I should drive the vehicle and document it when it occurs again (video) to assist them with identifying the issue since they are unable to correct the malfunction. It has been at the dealership for more than a month with no definitive resolution concerning the safety of the vehicle. I refuse to drive the vehicle and am afraid that I may injured/killed in an accident due to the safety concerns aforementioned. As of today's date, 09/22/2025, my 2024 KIA Forte remains at the KIA dealership with no foreseeable actions that may lead to a safe resolution. Further: 1) Component or system failed/malfunctioned - Engine, fuel pump, water pump. 2) Is it available for inspection - Yes. 3) How was your safety or that of others put at risk - Vehicle switched off multiple times while operating in traffic and barely escaping accidents. Suffered a scrape on the passenger's door as vehicle would not accelerate and stalled in a separate incident. 4) Vehicle or component been inspected by manufacturer - Yes, at the KIA dealership again. 5) Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure - No, there were no prior warning lamps, messages, or symptoms. KIA dealership stated that the 2024 KIA Forte has been "reprogrammed", but the dealership has been unable to identify the safety issues it has. I do not feel safe to operate this vehicle nor have any family members operate it.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026