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Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

2017 Kia Forte — Known Issues & Recalls

3 Recalls295 Owner Complaints12 Categories Affected
295
Total Complaints
3
Open Recalls
23
Crashes
9
Fires
21
Injuries

Complaints from Jan 2024 to Dec 2018

The most reported issue is engine problems (86 complaints). 23 complaints involved crashes. 9 involved fires.

Open Safety Recalls (3)

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 22V031000

Component: AIR BAGS

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Sep 2021

NHTSA Campaign: 21V622000

Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 21V260000

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.

Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.

Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 295)

Engine7 issues
criticalENGINE
Filed: Mar 2026

Failure of the engine oil pump pertaining to the exact situation covered in NHTSA campaign 21V-260, but vehicle is not covered. The campaign covered vehicles manufactured from June 5, 2017 to July 24, 2017. Vehicle was manufactured in Mexico, is equipped with the 2.0 Nu MPI engine.

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NHTSA #: 11723263
criticalENGINE
Filed: Oct 2025

Overconsumption of oil, LED to engine damage and stalling. Car struggles to start and there is an engine knock. Mechanic advised that the car is not drivable as it will stall while driving as it has done previously and there was a noticeable burning smell when the car was running.

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NHTSA #: 11696833
criticalENGINE
FireFiled: Sep 2025

my life was unsafe by being put in this vehicle whos engine was damaged and caught on fire while driving it as a MILITARY soldier.

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NHTSA #: 11688218
highENGINE
Filed: Nov 2025

Engine light came on around 81k miles and I've replaced several components and it fixed then light would come back on. I kept up on oil changes frequently. I had the spark plugs, o2 sensors replaced twice.

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NHTSA #: 11699846
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2025

I am the original owner of this car and get all my oil changes and regular maintenance on time. The car has 123k miles. I was getting into the freeway evening of 10/3 and my car stopped accelerating was making a loud noise so I pulled off to the side of the road.

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NHTSA #: 11691778
lowENGINE
Filed: Dec 2025

Not providing enough oil pressure for my timing to function correctly.

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NHTSA #: 11705805
lowENGINE
Filed: Nov 2025

Consumo excesivo de aceite / Defecto del motor - Kia Forte 2017 -Estimado NHTSA, Me gustaría informar de un problema de consumo excesivo de aceite en mi Kia Forte 2017, que parece estar relacionado con un defecto interno del motor similar a los problemas previamente identificados en otros motores Kia. Mi vehículo fue inspeccionado por un concesionario autorizado de Kia, Miami Lakes Kia (Florida).

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NHTSA #: 11699178
Unknown Or Other3 issues
mediumUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2026

I am emailing I have an issue with a my vehicle I took it in to the dealership and got the recalls performed and they still have not updated in the system I am trying to rent out my car on turo and am not able to do I also contacted the dealership and they said its all electronic what can I do to clear this up or speed it up am sorry am trying to get forward any sort of way you guys can help

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NHTSA #: 11708259
lowUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Dec 2025

Had to replace a P0014 Exhaust camshaft position timing VCT solenoid - over advanced (Bank1) last year on October 1,2024. Now 2025 December 8,2025 need a nothing camshaft position timing VCT solenoid and also says I need replace my engine. I think something is not right about the engine or something on the engine.

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NHTSA #: 11704131
lowUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Dec 2025

About three years ago the clear paint on my car started to peel on the mirrors and car handles. It's progressively gotten worse and now the roof and side mirrors only have patches left and driver side door has started peeling.

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NHTSA #: 11702613
Unknown Or Other,engine,fuel/propulsion System1 issue
criticalUNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FireFiled: Nov 2025

My vehicle caught fire while driving also before fire vehicle started popping and stuttering rattling sound. I was on highway.

NHTSA #: 11701841
Power Train,electrical System,service Brakes1 issue
criticalPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Nov 2025

Was traveling on interstate inside lane in heavy traffic and all of a sudden lost power,no throttle response, no warning lights,no priors,wasn't able to move to shoulder.. very close to being rear ended..all of a sudden power returned.. happened 8-12 times trying to get home..

NHTSA #: 11697826
Steering,electrical System1 issue
criticalSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2025

I am submitting this formal complaint regarding a serious safety issue I experienced with my 2017 Kia Forte. While driving, my steering wheel suddenly locked up & I was unable to turn left or right. This failure occurred in the middle of the road & put my life at serious risk.

NHTSA #: 11690342
Unknown Or Other,engine1 issue
highUNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2026

The vehicle went into Tasca Kia for a cam shaft replacement, this did not fix the issue and the vehicle needed an entire engine replacement under power train warranty. Since then, the vehicle has continuously stalled. The vehicle is not indicating a reason for stalling, it is documented in video, and I have continued to inform the dealership where the vehicle is.

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NHTSA #: 11722521
Electrical System,exterior Lighting,engine1 issue
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2025

I am writing to you today regarding a persistent issue I'm experiencing with my 2017 Kia Forte. On several occasions, while driving at various speeds and coming to a stop, the vehicle has stalled. Each time, I was able to restart the vehicle after the stall.

NHTSA #: 11687694
Air Bags,engine1 issue
mediumAIR BAGS,ENGINE
Filed: Nov 2025

There are 3 recalls on my engine type but kia dealership says no recalls,#21v6220000,#22v031000,#21v260000. Engine tyoe 2.0l nu mpi engine(sc210),my ph#xxx information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c.

NHTSA #: 11700945
Electrical System,unknown Or Other1 issue
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Nov 2025

I have 2 problems with my 2017 Kia Forte sedan: 1) They have put an "environmentally friendly" coating on the wire harnesses under the front hood of the engine which emits a vanilla scent when warm and attracts rats that eat the wire harness when the vehicle is parked. They need to revert back to the original jacket material on the wire harnesses that don't attract rodents.

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NHTSA #: 11700164
Electrical System1 issue
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving with the phone plugged in on speaker, there was smoke coming from the adapter cord. The contact stated that the charger cord was melting.

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NHTSA #: 11699134
Power Train,engine,fuel/propulsion System1 issue
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2025

About September 6th I was driving my vehicle. It is a blue Kia forte 2017. I just had cleaned it at a local car wash.

NHTSA #: 11690694
Engine And Engine Cooling1 issue
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a scanner determined that there was a failure with the crankshaft.

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NHTSA #: 11687610

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