56 of the
644 complaints about the 2014 KIA Forte are about the
electrical system — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
71,500 miles.
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 the other day and i received a recall letter from Kia stating my car needs to be serviced and that I can take it in for a free engine test and inspection free of cost as well as a system update free of cost , I schedule an appointment today for 11 I was told it will take half a day I receive a text to pick it back up 1 hour later I ask if an engine test was also done i received no response so I came in and was told that I would have to pay 270 for a diagnosis despite the engine inspection being different they refused to do one stating the previous owners warranty is up so the system update was done without any inspection or test to see if the damage was already which it is based off the state of my car , when trying to leave my car was not starting up and when it finally did it went into limp mode completely and wouldn’t drive at that point I reach out to Kia costumer care center and they let me know that I should have gotten a inspection free of charge along side the update and to go somewhere else online also states regardless of warranty all recalls must be addressed if problems persist regardless of past service or owner , they also cleared my recall and listed it as repaired and it was not Kia corporate shows it is still an open recall as well . I also received a Kia multi point inspection that was not at all fully performed it is 1/4 fill out .
NHTSA complaint #11720848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuscaloosa, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11689852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belvidere, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 restart to get the steering to work properly again.
NHTSA complaint #11645865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conroe, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driving to school and the engine started acting weird and took to Good Year mechanic and I received the attached invoice. Kindly refer to the invoice.
NHTSA complaint #11574821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coleemee, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driving down the highway and check engine light came on and dropped the cars speed down to 30 mph and was stuck on the highway and I called the KIA dealership that I got the car from and they cleared the code on the car and claimed they fixed it just for the car to go back into limp mode and now I’m stuck without a car and the dealership doesn’t want to fix it
NHTSA complaint #11563070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,889 milesLebec, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Electrical problems from the start when purchaed November 2016. Ghost electrical problems, affecting radio, gas guage, lights, and traction, Also tail lights leaked water in.
NHTSA complaint #11546446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have 3 major recalls on this vehicle. I received recall from Kia but dealership will not fix the problem
NHTSA complaint #11538161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulsa, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle states glow relay stuck on (p1326) vehicle has gone into limp mode. Not able to drive over 60mph. All recommendations by Kia has been completed and vehicle still in limp mode.
NHTSA complaint #11530443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stratford, CTCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My car was parked overnight in front my house on the street, and I remote started it around 4 pm. As I was looking out the window to check if the car started- I saw it moving forward. I ran out of the house and within a few seconds- the car rolled into my neighbor's truck and sustained damage to the hood and frame. This is a safety issue because the car is a push start car- and should not have started and moved. Luckily it hit a parked car and not a person. The remote start came with the car when I bought it from the kia dealership in 2013. I called kia corporate and have an appointment to get the car looked at the closest dealership. I did not have any warning lights- but I did have my car recently serviced (oil change and valve cover repaired). I also am dealing with a clogged catalytic convertor due to a leaky valve cover- and was told by kia corporate this may be covered under a class action lawsuit.
NHTSA complaint #11530152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Diberville, MSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
on or about 6-6-2023 store employee Tim Creel was airing up the tire on the passenger side front of the vehicle. Tim used a kia air compressor which comes standard with a lot of today's Kias instead of spare tire. The tire pressure reached 32 psi when Tim unplugged the 12v connector. As he went to walk away he noticed flames coming from under the plug in spot. The vehicle proceeded to keep a fire going for several minutes as the other employee Eddie pulled up and put it out with a fire extinguisher. The owner mark then advised a report be made. The D'Iberville police and fire dept showed up. They issued a case number of 23-01640 by officer IPOCK. Please find attached photos kind regards Timothy Creel
NHTSA complaint #11527256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berea, KYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My car caught on fire out of nowhere when i pulled into my grandmother's driveway. I had smelt smoke maybe 10 minutes before I arrived but assumed it was from someone starting a fire while I was driving. No smoke had started forming while I was driving. The smoke rolled out from the dash board area and kept spreading once I had arrived and got out to get my grandma from inside. My entire car was engulfed in flames within minutes. The firefighters informed me that they had put out another kia that same day and that there was active recalls for fires on kias. I kept my car at a tow lot for almost 3 months waiting on kia to inspect it. They claimed it was an outside source but I have video proof of us trying to put out the fire and the moment i pulled into the driveway. Kia is a terrible company and deserves no money for their cars. All of my stuff I was moving with was in the vehicle with me and Kia took no blame. They are lucky her house didnt catch fire too because it was almost close enough
NHTSA complaint #11515767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berea, KYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My car caught on fire out of nowhere when i pulled into my grandma's house. I was unaware of a recall until I was advised by the firman that put my car out that they had also put another kia out the same day and it had a recall. Upon searching I found this recall. I contacted kia and went through their claims process. They inspected my vehicle and are still claiming it didnt come from inside the dash board which is where the fire originated when I tried to put it out before it got out of hand. I have a video that proves i pulled in and it caught fire spontaneously. Kia has but me through trauma with that fire and I am lucky to still have a job with the work I missed without a vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11509413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Cars brake lights remain on and engine will turn on with out pressing the brake peddle. Consistent with recall on same model produced during the previous two years and up to 2 months prior to current vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11490756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Radcliff, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Air Bag light stays on consistently, with the exception of flashing off for a brief moment periodically, only to return on immediately. Steering wheel mounted audio controls have mixed up controls, volume operating channel skip, while channel skip up, skips down, etc... I don't know that it is possible for the air bag to deploy unexpectedly, without impact, but the obvious concern is that it may not go off in the event of an impact, leading to excessive injuries. I had an independent service center advise me that the likely cause is a faulty Clock Spring, as this would cause issues with the steering wheel controls as well.
NHTSA complaint #11481918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gallipolis, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car shuts down while driving. ABS and traction control light comes on, cruise control shuts off, power steering light comes on and no power steering, screens and radio stop working, no a/c or heat, car finally completely shuts down.
NHTSA complaint #11473181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Riding, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Bought a used 2014 Kia Forte from Ourisman Kia in Chantilly, VA in November, 2021. Had 116k miles. 2/20/22, traveling on 55 MPH three lane road, the car suddenly lost all power as I was driving in the left lane. Engine light was flashing. I put on hazards and was able to pull off the highway. On 2/21/22 Ourisman Kia service added oil, cleared error codes, and told us to drive 1000 miles and bring it back. We did not make it to 1000 miles. Car again suddenly went into limp mode and flashing engine light while teenage son was driving on 3/15. Code Po302 was detected. Ourisman Kia service replaced ignition coil and spark plugs 3/17. On 3/23, car again suddenly went into limp mode and engine light started flashing again while on highway. Returned car to Ourisman Kia service 3/24/22 where it still sits. Code P1326 is detected. At any of these three times the car went into limp mode while driving on highway, me or my family could have been in serious accident. Car completely loses power to nothing and then slowly rebuilds to max 2000 RPM / approx 40 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #11464764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cornelia, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My steering wheel feels loose and makes a noise when turning. Feels like I need to turn the steering wheel a bit before my tires start to turn and then it clicks again when my wheel goes back to neutral. This also has caused my cruise control and windshield wipers to stop working.
NHTSA complaint #11462853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mcallen, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When I engage the left turn signal the headlights will intermittently shut off. They sometimes come back on and sometimes do not. Usually after completing a turn they come back on. It's unpredictable and this has caused some scary situations. It is a continual problem that needs to be fixed by KIA.
NHTSA complaint #11443557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Menan, ID
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driving down a country road at night when my abs light came on. After a few seconds my power steering went out and the main console died. The headlights began to dim and the dashboard lights sputtered on and off. The car shuttered strongly and then died. We were stuck on the side of the road in the middle of the night for over forty five minutes with a screaming infant with no warning that this was going to happen or that this part needed to be serviced or replaced for the milage of my car (90,000).
NHTSA complaint #11435800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jefferson City, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Airbag light stays on all the time. Brake lights constantly burning out breaking system system will skidvover grates at bumps. Car will scrape over roads. All steering wheel functions not working
NHTSA complaint #11434262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuscaloosa, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car started over heating, took it to the shop and my engine coolant resistor was melting, they replaced the part and it is starting to melt again and my car is starting to over heat
NHTSA complaint #11431634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakwood, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I bought the car in November 2 weeks later driving on December 10 All lights came out car loss power and engine blew off I was driving at around 55mph I’m still paying for the car but I never received no notice for the recall I need an answer ASAP the cae as been in my garage since December 10/2020
NHTSA complaint #11423017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesNaugatuck, CTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AS I WAS DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11398075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,000 milesPerris, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON 2/19/2021 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY AND THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER. I DON'T DRIVE IT THAT MUCH SO WASN'T SURE IF IT WAS JUST ME. BUT AS I PULLED INTO A DRIVE THRU AND WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR WAS IDLING A LITTLE ROUGH AND THE ENGINE WAS TICKING AND LIGHTLY KNOCKING. ALSO HERE IS A LIST OF CONTINUING ISSUES THAT WE HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW WITH LIKE 12 MILES ON IT. THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW HAS NEVER WORKED. THE RADIO BLUETOOTH ALWAYS HAD CONNECTIVITY ISSUES. THEN THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT APPEARED AND IS STILL ON. THE TIRE SHOP SAID IT MIGHT BE A DEFECTIVE TIRE SENSOR BACK PASSENGER. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON NOW. THEN THE RADIO ANTENNA FELL OFF THE ROOF, I GLUED IT BACK ON. RECENTLY THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL HAVE NOT BEEN FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, OR NOT AT ALL. AND THE DRIVER WINDOW BUTTON DOES WHATEVER IT WANTS TO DO, SOMETIMES IT WILL WORK WITH SOME LIGHT FINESSE.
NHTSA complaint #11397163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,700 milesFitchburg, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PURCHASED ON JUNE 27 2019. 3 WEEKS LATER I STOPPED BY DEALERSHIP FOR ASSISTANCE IT'S BEEN A NIGHTMARE SINCE. CAR HAD BEEN CONSUMING OIL AND I'VE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS. JUST HAD MASTER MECHANIC REPLACING CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND IT'S ALREADY PLUGGED. KAY ON BOTH ACCOUNTS ASSURED ME NOTHING WRONG, NICE CAR HAS 23 BRAINS IT'S THE ECHO DRIVE. ENGINE LIGHT BLINKS AND NO ONE CAN GET A CODE READING, NO ONE BUT KIA. BOTH SERVICE REP, TYLER AND KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AGENT, DEAN THOUGHT I WAS, AND REFERRED TO ME AS WHARTON WHOM PURCHASED THE CAR 2014 AND HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS ACCORDING TO THESE INDIVIDUAL THAT THOUGHT I WAS THERE FOR SAME REASON. DEAN FROM KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS SPECIFICALLY TOLD ME DURING A PHONE CONVERSATION DEC 2020, AND VERIFYING MY VIN NUMBER THAT MY VERTICAL WAS IN FACT ON RECALL LIST. I CALL JAN 20TH 2021 AND TOLD I WAS NOT AND CASE WAS CLOSED DUE TO I BEING INFORMED OF RECALL TO WHICH I CALLED AFTER SEEING ARRIVAL ON LINE. I'M ADVISED TO GO ON YOUR WEBSITE WITH MY VIN NUMBER AND FIND OUT IF I'M PART OF RECALL. I AM NOT. WHY????. THIS CAR OBVIOUSLY IS DEFECTIVE IF I'M THOUGHT TO BE SHANNON TRYING TO TAKE KIA FOR A RIDE AND I'M THE 3RD OWNER WITH SAME PROBLEM AS PRIOR OWNERS. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE. I'VE TURNED TO KIA TO BEGIN WITH AND PAID FOR COMPRESSION TESTS, REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVER 1000.00 DOLLARS AND IT NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN DUE TO OIL CONSUMPTION. FACT IS I WAS SOLD A CAR WITH ENGINE PROBLEMS AND HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR END DUE TO POWER LOSS, LIMP MODE TYLER CALLED IT... IT'S NOT SAFE. WHAT CAN I DO NOW I KNOW I'M OUT 9000.00 DOLLARS ON THIS CAR ON MY SSDI PAY. MUCH MORE DETAILS DOCUMENTED WHO WHAT WHEN HERE AND WHAT WAS SAID. TIMES AND DATES FOR ENTIRE DURATION OF EVENTS STARTING WITH KIRA AT RON BOUCHARDS IN FITCHBURG MASS JULY OF 2019 AND OCT 2020.*DT CONSUMER STATED SHE WOULD LIKE THE COMPLAINT TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC VIEWING.*JB*DT CONSUMER STATED KIA HAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH OIL LEAK IS RECALLED AND WILL NOT MAKE A RECALL APPOINTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11390262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,997 milesFort Hood, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVING MY KIA FORTE 2014 ON THE FREEWAY, AS I WOULD ACCELERATE MY CAR WOULD HESITATE. I STARTED TO ACCELERATE MORE AND IT WOULD SLOWLY DIE DOWN UNTIL IT COMPLETELY STOPPED. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT IT WOULD COMPLETELY TURN OFF AT STOP LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. I GOT IT DIAGNOSED AND ITS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THOSE ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST A LIFE TIME. MY CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND I HAD A PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1989 THAT LASTED 20+ YEARS. NOW THE INSIDE OF MY CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS AND I JUST GOT THIS CAR A COUPLE MONTHS AGO!
NHTSA complaint #11361386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centreville, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE RADIO TURNS IT'S SELF ON AND OFF. ONE MINUTE THE HORN IS WORKING THE NEXT MINUTE THE HORN IS NOT WORKING. THE HORN WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO WORK. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON OUT OF NOWHERE THE CAR WAS NOT IN A WRECK OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE. SAME WITH THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IF YOU USE THE BUTTONS TO CHANGE THE SONG ON THE STEERING WHEEL IT ACTUALLY TURNS RADIO COMPLETELY OFF INSTEAD OF CHANGING THE SONG. AND THAT HAPPENS WITH THE VOLUME BUTTON AS WELL. I'VE ALREADY BEEN TO A MECHANIC AND TOLD THEM THAT I THINK THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT I JUST GET LOOKED AT LIKE I'M CRAZY.
NHTSA complaint #11353495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesLAS Vegas, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ALL ARE NOT DOING WHAT THEY ARE INTENDED TO DO. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND IT IS SAYING THE CLOCK SPRING. IT ALSO STATES THAT THEY ARE MADE TO LAST A LIFE TIME OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO TOWBIN KIA IN HENDERSON NV. THEY CONFIRMED IT IS BAD AND NOT COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BEING IT IS THE AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I NOTICED ON THE GOOGLE SEARCH MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN I AM IN THE DRIVERS SEAT WHETHER I AM STATIONARY OR IN TRAVEL MOTION THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON CONSTANT . THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS DO NOT DO WHAT INTENDED...FOR EXAMPLE PUSH CRUISE AND IT COMES ON BUT WILL GO RIGHT OFF. THE AUDIO CONTROL SUCH AS BLUETOOTH BUTTON TURNS RADIO UP ... THE CALL BUTTON SAY PLEASE SAY A COMMAND THE HANG UP BUTTON WON'T HANG UP THE CALL AND CHANGES THE STATION ON RADIO. VERY CONFUSING. BUT THE CLOCK SPRING CONTROLS AIRBAG AND STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ....CONFIRMED BY KIA THAT THIS IS INTENDED FUNCTIONS . NONE WORKS . I FEEL THIS ITEM SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE DUE TO SAFETY REQUIREMENTS OF THE AIRBAGS. IF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYS WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OR IF IT DOES NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF AN ACCIDENT COULD BE DEADLY EITHER WAY.
NHTSA complaint #11326909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,483 milesElizabeth, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THEY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE V PORT WHERE THE VEHICLE CHARGED FROM. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF ONCE HE NOTICED THE SMOKE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL SEATS WERE BURNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED A SHORT FUSE CAUSED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THEY WOULD RECEIVE A CALLBACK. A CASE WAS OPENED WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE MATTER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,483
NHTSA complaint #11302615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesUpland, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RECALL NUMBER 17V773 HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEMS STILL PERSIST.
NHTSA complaint #11282363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.