What 160 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Forte Koup

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an unusual ticking sound and smoke coming from under the hood. In addition, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed smoke that was coming from the HECU fuse box. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for three weeks without any communication from the dealer. The contact was unsure if the vehicle had been inspected or not. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11694817

The NECU system failed and blew the engine and caused a fire no longer available for inspection. No move running. No warning lamps at all of any sort.

NHTSA ODI 11623917

I was driving and the car caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI 11572205

The contact owned a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that he had parked the vehicle and upon walking towards the vehicle, he noticed that the front end of the vehicle had caught on fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report and a police report were filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it was totaled. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) that he related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11557041

On 8/28/2022 my 2011 Kia Forte's engine caught on fire and it caused damage to my entire garage along with my personal belongings. I had contacted Kia multiple times and was put on hold for over an hour at a time and hung up on multiple times until a few weeks after the fire I finally got a hold of them and they put in a "work order". After following up with them a week later I come to find out that the work order was put in for a car pare (the engine in the car was burnt to crisp). I finally had someone help and a representative from Kia came out afterwards they conveyed that after "their investigation" that "evidence shows fire and heat attacking vehicle from outside and moving into the engine compartment". Which is completely false per fire department who where first on the scene they determined the fire started in the engine compartment of the vehicle". This was very disappointing Kia took no responsibility for this. Now I receive a recall notice dated November 14th, 2023 stating that "the Hydraulic electronic control unit may experience an electrical short circuit, which can result in an engine compartment fire while driving or parked. This is exactly what happened to my car at the time of the incident so now they are admitting they were at fault.

NHTSA ODI 11556464

Light in trunk exploded and melted. This was the original light that came with the car. Thankfully the trunk was empty and it did not catch fire.

NHTSA ODI 11547751

The car had a slow ticking noise that was very faint in the front for about 20 minutes 20 minutes later the noise continue to get louder about 45 minutes later six gear was lost in the car in about an hour and a half later the engine failed and the car Came to a failure lock down procedure all lights on the front door shut on steering wheel locked on friendship Road exit 8 and the vehicle had to be towed to a shop we’re now it was put on a lift and there is a hole in the bottom of the engine , And the transmission is not in tact

NHTSA ODI 11508036

MY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE BURNED

NHTSA ODI 11405273

I WAS IN MOTION, TURNING LEFT FROM 13TH STREET NORFOLK NE, INTO THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO MY DRIVERS SIDE AND REAR DOOR DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE. MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO OPEN, AND THE FRAME BETWEEN BOTH DOOR WAS DENTED IN.*DT

NHTSA ODI 11404931

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.

NHTSA ODI 11229112

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.

NHTSA ODI 11174482

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.

NHTSA ODI 11131971

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?

NHTSA ODI 11130355

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.

NHTSA ODI 11130442

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.

NHTSA ODI 11121039

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.

NHTSA ODI 11120051

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.

NHTSA ODI 11101097

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.

NHTSA ODI 11101209

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.

NHTSA ODI 11084652

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.

NHTSA ODI 11080284

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.

NHTSA ODI 11079973

KIA FORTE 2011,ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN,AND CAUSE ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME,KEPT ACCELERATED,UNTIL I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. WENT FROM 30 MPH TO 50 MPH,AND TOTALED MY CAR. I WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET,WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. NO WARNING,NO ENGINE LIGHT,AND IT NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

NHTSA ODI 11062079

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE DAUGHTER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY STOPPED COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW A RED FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED OR TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V070000 (POWER TRAIN), HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-333-4542. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS PART OF THE RECALL. A CASE NUMBER: 12391153 WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11001351

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!

NHTSA ODI 10949089

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.

NHTSA ODI 10908482