I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, I HEARD A LOUD KNOCK FROM THE ENGINE, THE RPMS WENT TO 0 AND THE CAR DIED, CAR WAS SERVICED AND WELL MAINTAINED
NHTSA ODI 11217981
Home · 2013 Kia Forte Koup · Complaints
These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.
119 of 211 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 4 of 5
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, I HEARD A LOUD KNOCK FROM THE ENGINE, THE RPMS WENT TO 0 AND THE CAR DIED, CAR WAS SERVICED AND WELL MAINTAINED
NHTSA ODI 11217981
THETA II ENGINE RECALL. A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO GUIDE IT OFF THE INTERSTATE TO A SAFE SPOT ON THE SIDE. THE CAR WOULDNT STARY BACK AT ALL. COME TO FIND OUT, THE RODS FAILED AND LOCKED THE ENGINE UP. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, ONE OF THE THINGS I DID WAS CHECK EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD INCLUDING THE OIL. THE OIL WAS FULL. AFTER READING ALOT ON THIS ISSUE, THERE IS ALOT OF KIA FORTE AND FORTE KOUP THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT YET THEY WONT INCLUDE THEM IN THE RECALL. IT HAS THE SAME ENGINE IN IT AS THE OTHER KIA'S THAT GOT RECALLED SO WHAT MAKES THEM ANY DIFFERENT. I REPLACED THE FIRST ENGINE WITH A USED ONE AND I PUT 4K MIKES ON IT AND IT DID THE SAME THING SO ANOTHER $4,000 LATER, I PURCHASED A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE. IT'S BEEN AN EXPENSIVE FIX OUT OF MY OWN POCKET WHEN IT SHOULDNT HAVE BEEN.
NHTSA ODI 11217999
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THE KIA HAS BEEN KNOCKING AT LOW ENGINE RPM UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION FROM A STOP, PARTICULARLY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ENGAGED. IT'S GAS MILEAGE IS ALSO SUBSTANTIALLY DOWN. I HAD THOUGHT IT NEEDED A TUNE UP, BUT AFTER READING ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH OTHER KIA AND HYUNDAI ISSUES WITH THE THETA II ENGINE, IT SEEMS MORE LIKELY THAT THIS ENGINE IS GETTING READY TO GO DOWN THE SAME ROAD AS THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO. FOR THE MOMENT I AM GOING TO PARK THE CAR AND DRIVE MY AVALANCHE (DESPITE GAS BEING NORTH OF $4 A GALLON) UNTIL THE FORTE IS INCLUDED IN THE ENGINE RECALLS LIKE THE OTHER KIA MODELS WITH THE SAME ENGINE. IT IS BAFFLING TO ME THAT THIS MODEL WAS EXCLUDED.
NHTSA ODI 11204072
ENGINE SEIZED TWICE (SEPARATE INSTANCES) WHILE DRIVING. FAULTY CONNECTING ROD
NHTSA ODI 11194084
I WAS DRIVING HOME LIKE USUAL NOT EVEN A WEEK AFTER MY REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND AS I WAS PULLING UP A SMALL HILL CLOSE TO MY APARTMENT MY ENGINE SPUTTERED, BACKFIRED AND STALLED. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AT THIS POINT. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO A STOP. AFTER SOME TROUBLESHOOTING I FINALLY GOT THE CAR TO TURN OVER AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STARTED KNOCKING VERY LOUDLY. IT IS CLEARLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT AND AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE CAR IS AT 62,000 MILES AND THE WARRANTY IS GOOD TO 100,000 MILES. I HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL OF CAR WORTH THE SAME ISSUE AND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH OTHER MODELS USING THE SAME ENGINE. IT IS QUITE AN ISSUE TO TAKE CARE OF MONETARILY FOR THE CUSTOMERS OF KIA AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER.
NHTSA ODI 11193273
I AM SUBMITTING A COMPLAINT ON THE 2013 KIA FORTE EX ENGINE FAILURE FOR REVIEW. I HAVE A COPY OF THE CARFAX REPORT GIVEN BY THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE WHICH SHOWS THE VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED REGULARLY. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE IN AUGUST 2018, THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE (OIL CHANGE, ETC.). WE HAD ANOTHER OIL CHANGE AND OVERVIEW OF THE VEHICLE SINCE THEN. ALL WAS WORKING FINE UNTIL FEBRUARY 11,2019 WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE AND INCREASES WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. ON FEBRUARY 12, I TOOK THE CAR TO OUR AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THEY DETERMINED THE INTERNAL ENGINE NEAR THE REAR IS WHERE THE KNOCKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM. THIS WOULD TAKE A REBUILD OR REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE. I CALLED A LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND ALL WORK WOULD BE BILLABLE. I HAVE NOT HAD A GOOD EXPERIENCE WITH THIS DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN THE PAST AND WAS SKEPTICAL ABOUT TAKING THIS CAR THERE. THIS IS WHY I DID NOT TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE A TRUSTED AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT GIVES ME HONEST AND TIMELY ADVICE AND RESULTS. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC ALREADY AND AM HOPING THAT MY COMMUNICATING WITH KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. DIRECTLY WILL HELP TO GIVE ME THE SUPPORT THEY ADVERTISE TO CUSTOMERS ON ALL OF THEIR VEHICLES. KIA CLAIMS TO BACK UP THE QUALITY OF THEIR VEHICLES. HOPEFULLY KIA WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL'S ENGINE FAILURE AND PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE EXPENSE THAT WE HAVE INCURRED. I THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO REVIEW THIS INFORMATION. 2013 KIA FORTE EX SEDAN 4DR 2.0L I4 F DOHC 16V GASOLINE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
NHTSA ODI 11184922
FORTE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING LOUD NOISES AND RUNNING VERY HARD. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WENT TO GET IT FIXED AND DEALER SAID THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAILING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. IT IS A 2013 KIA FORTE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT! THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE FAILING! AFTER READING OTHER REVIEWS, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR.
NHTSA ODI 11184587
MY MOTOR SLUNG A ROD WITHOUT REASON AT 90K MILES. I HAVE THE SAME 2.4 LITER MOTOR IN MY KIA FORTE AS THE MOTORS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED IN THE OPTIMAS. THE JUST FOUND THAT THIS ENGINE FAILURE IS HAPPENING IN THE 1.6 LITER SOULS AS WELL YET THEY REFUSE TO FIX MY CAR BECAUSE THE CAR ITSELF ISN'T LISTED UNDER THE RECALL. PLEASE HELP! I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH DOWN THE HWY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD "THUNK" AND A LIGHT TAPPING FROM THE ENGINE. NO DASH LIGHTS EVER CAME ON, THE CAR NEVER RAN HOT, AND I HAD PLENTY OF OIL BUT JUST TO BE SAFE I PULLED OVER ANYWAYS. I HAD A MECHANIC COME MEET ME ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT TO BE SRE IT WAS OK TO DRIVE AND WHEN HE JACKED THE CAR UP OIL CAME POURING OUT AND HE COULD SEE A VISIBLE 4 INCH HOLE IN THE BLOCK WHERE A ROD HAD SEEMINGLY SLUNG WITHOUT REASON. I TOOK IT UP TO KIA TO GET IT REPLACED AS THE MOTOR WAS UNDER RECALL AND NOT ONLY DID THEY NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS A "DIFFERENT MODEL # OF THE 2.4 LITER MOTOR" BUT THEY ALSO CHARGED ME $125 BUCKS JUST TO LOOK AT IT AND TELL ME THEY WEREN'T GOING TO FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI 11183098
THE CAR STARTED DRIVING SLUGGISH OUT OF NOWHERE AND I TOOK IT IN TO A MECHANIC WHO TOOK IT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE WHERE IT ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED SMOKING AND THE ENGINE SEIZED UP WHILE IN MOTION. THE CAR HAD ITS OIL CHANGE AND WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI 11174951
WE HAVE THIS INITIAL FUEL FLOW/ROD BEARINGS ISSUE WITH OUR 2013 KIA FORTE. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA AND THE DEALERSHIP A NUMBER OF TIMES, AND YET THE FORTE IS NEVER INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. CONSIDERING THAT IT WAS BUILT WITH THE EXACT SAME THETA II ENGINE, THIS SEEMS RIDICULOUS. HTTPS://KFOR.COM/2019/01/16/KIA-HYUNDAI-ISSUE-NEW-RECALL-DUE-TO-ENGINE-FIRE-RISKS/?UTM_CAMPAIGN=TRUEANTHEM%3A+TRENDING+CONTENT&UTM_CONTENT=5C3FC91104D3010DA25C18CA&UTM_MEDIUM=TRUEANTHEM&UTM_SOURCE=FACEBOOK&FBCLID=IWAR1DMDLSKVNOWCP34YHC3CNWHPXVPRDQLFVQ5EUZZ16WH-R70VJ0RWLHM5O
NHTSA ODI 11170491
MY KIA FORTE KOUP 2013 SX HAS ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO NOTICE. MY SON WAS DRIVING 73MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AND ALMOST LOST HIS LIFE TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AFTER SAID FAILURE. MY CAR HAS 92K MILES AND I AM THE SECOND OWNER. I HAVE HAD ALL MAINTENANCE DONE AT KIA ON TIME AND AS RECOMMENDED. DEALER TELLS ME THAT CONNECTING ROD PIERCED A WHOLE IN MY ENGINE BLOCK AND WANT $4800.00 + TAX TO INSTALL A USED ENGINE WITH 76K MILES ON IT. I AM GUESSING THAT IS KIA IS NOW DOING A 200K WARRENTY AS THEIR PRODUCTS ARE JUNK.
NHTSA ODI 11165530
THE ENGINE FAILURE POSSIBLE RELATED TO FAULTY OIL PUMP. ENGINE STARTED VIBRATING WHOLE CAR THEN THE CAR LOCKED AND STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. HAD TO GET CAR TOWED. NO LEAKS. THE ENGINE HAD FLUIDS. MANY OTHER KIA'S WERE AFFECTED. OTHER MODELS HAVE RECALLS. POSSIBLY DAMAGED RODS AND BEARINGS DUE TO THE ISSUE. THE KIA COMPANY SAID NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. MECHANIC SAID NEEDS TO ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI 11156380
BACK IN JUNE 2018, I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE, RUNNING ABOUT 75 AND HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A FLAPPING NOISE THEN ALL THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR STALLED. HAD TO GET IT TOWED BACK HOME. COME TO FIND OUT THE MOTOR HAD SEIZED UP. I'VE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE 2.4 ENGINE IN THE KIA'S BUT NONE HAVE MADE IT TO THE RECALL LIST WHEN THEY ARE DOING THE SAME THING THAT THE MOTORS IN THE OPTIMAS, SORENTO AND SPORTAGE. HOW IS THE FORTE ANY DIFFERENT WHEN THEY HAVE THE SAME MOTOR. FOUND A USED MOTOR OUT OF A 2013 KIA FORTE KOUP SX THAT HAD 39,000 MILES ON IT. BOUGHT AND INSTALLED IT. PUT RIGHT AT 4,100 MILES ON IT AND LOW AND BEHOLD, IT DID THE SAME THING. EXCEPT THIS TIME I WAS COMING OFF THE INTERSTATE ON A CURVE OFF RAMP WITH THE CAR STALLED ON ME. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED THIS TIME TO MAKE IT HOME. SO NOW I HAVE ANOTHER BAD ENGINE AND MY CAR IS JUST SITTING UNTIL I CAN SAVE UP AND FIND ANOTHER ENGINE. THIS TIME, I'LL PROBABLY PAY EXTRA TO HAVE A COMPLETELY REMANUFACTURED ENGINE. TIRED OF PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH THESE USED KIA ENGINES.
NHTSA ODI 11130879
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA FORTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE NOT IDLING, THE CONTACT NOT ALERTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED BECAUSE THE MATTER WAS RESOLVED WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. **TR CONSUMER STATED CAR WAS PARKED. FAILING PART: COOLING FAN SENSOR. UPDATED 11/8/18*JB
NHTSA ODI 11121043
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH , ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL OF MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY CAR HAD NO POWER, I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY SEVERAL VEHICLES AS I HAD NO ENGINE POWER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY( NOT A PULL OVER PLACE) I CALLED FOR A TOW AND HAD IT TAKEN TO THE SHOP I USUALLY GO TO ONLY TO FIND OUT THE ENGINE HAS BLOWN. KIA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER OF THEIR VEHICLES. THIS EVENT ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE... KIA NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. MY ESTIMATE FOR A REPLACEMENT ENGINE IS $ 3780.00
NHTSA ODI 11119380
DRIVING INTERSTATE 55 MPH ENGINE MADE CLUNKING NOISE AND STOPPED HAD TO BE TOWED HOME CHECKED TIMING CHAIN WAS GOOD DROPPED OIL PAN AND ROD SHATTERED AND METAL SHAVING ALL TORE UP ENGINE NO LONGER ABLE TO BE REPAIRED LOOKING FOR A NEW ENGINE OWE $10,000 ON CAR HAVE TO CARRY FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE DOESN'T RUN
NHTSA ODI 11118145
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFF BELZER'S CHEVROLET, DODGE, KIA (21111 CEDAR AVE, LAKEVILLE, MN 55044, (952) 469-4444) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
NHTSA ODI 11113633
WHILE DRIVING AT 65+ MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THIS 2013 KIA FORTE SX LOST POWER (ENGINE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED), STEERING STIFFENED AND VEHICLE RAPIDLY DECELERATED. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO GET THE VEHICLE DIRECTED OVER TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE HAS 61,619 MILES. IT WAS TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE, BASED ON ENGINE NOISE, KIA HAS DIAGNOSED A ROD BEARING MALFUNCTION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. THIS ENGINE IS THE 2.4L THETA-II MPI (MULTI-PORT INJECTION) ENGINE (VS THE GDI, OR GASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION, ENGINE THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED).
NHTSA ODI 11113159
I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 KIA FORTE KOUP UP AN ON-RAMP TO THE MAIN BRIDGE, GOING ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE ENGINE KILLED SUDDENLY. THE CAR HAS 56,000 MILES ON IT, AND I TAKE PHENOMENAL CARE OF IT (REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE). I HAD IT TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY, MAY 25, AND IT'S BEEN SITTING ON THE LOT COMPLETELY UNTOUCHED EVER SINCE. TODAY IS DAY 46 OF KIA GIVING ME THE RUNAROUND. NEVER AGAIN WILL I PURCHASE THEIR CARS.
NHTSA ODI 11110664
NHTSA RECALL SC147 2013 KIA FORTE KOUP HAS THE EXACT SAME THETA II ENGINE AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL FOR THE 2011-2014 OPTIMA, 2012-2014 SORENTO, AND 2011-2013 SPORTAGE MODELS. THE ENGINE WAS TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, LOST POWER, AND PROCEEDED TO SEIZE EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL ABOVE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, SMOKE PROCEEDED TO POUR OUT OF THE ENGINE HOOD AROUND THE HEAD GASKET. SMELL OF BURNING FILLED THE CABIN. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS HAPPENING ON OTHER MODELS BUT A RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE MY MODEL. ENTIRE EXPENSE WAS A MONTH LONG PROCESS STARTING JUNE 1. REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE MOTOR REQUIRED, COSTING $6200.
NHTSA ODI 11109698
ON TUESDAY JUNE 26TH, 2018 I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON THE INTERSTATE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING, MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, I LOST ALL POWER, STEERING AND BRAKES BUT LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. CAR WOULDN'T START BACK AT ALL. I KEEP MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 4,000 MILES AND HAVEN'T EVER HAD AN ISSUE. THE ENGINE WASN'T KNOCKING OR MADE ANY LOUD NOISE WHEN IT HAPPENED. AND THE OIL WAS STILL ON THE FULL MARK. AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THE SAME EXACT ENGINES HAVE BEEN RECALLED IN DIFFERENT KIA/HYUNDAI MODELS EXCEPT THE FORTE/FORTE KOUP 2.4L. SO NOW I AM LEFT WITHOUT MY CAR AND HAVING TROUBLE FINDING AN ENGINE I CAN AFFORD WHILE KIA/HYUNDAI IS REPLACING ENGINES THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM BUT MINE THEY WONT REPLACE BECAUSE MY VIN DOESN'T CALL FOR THAT RECALL.
NHTSA ODI 11109521
I, LIKE MANY OTHER KIA FORTE OWNERS, FEEL THE RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE THE FORTE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES AS THE OTHER OWNERS - ENGINE KNOCKING, OIL ISSUES, WHITE SMOKE EXITING THE EXHAUST, LOSS OF SPEED WHILE DRIVING, CAR DYING AFTER ACCELERATION AND FINISHING IN A PUFF OF SMOKE. WHEN IT FIRST BEGAN IN JUNE 2016 I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT BECAUSE IT WASN'T THEIR FAULT. YET, I SEE THAT THE SAME PROBLEMS ARE LITERALLY BEING REPAIRED ON OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND ISSUES. THE THETA II 2.4L ENGINE CLEARLY IS DEFECTIVE IN ALL OF THE VEHICLES. I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE FORTE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THIS LIST. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THE DEALERSHIP REALLY RAKED US OVER THE COALS ON THE PURCHASE AND FIVE YEARS LATER WE STILL OWE NEARLY $10K ON THE VEHICLE. CLEARLY OTHER DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT BECAUSE I CANNOT GET ANYONE TO TAKE IT AS A TRADE IN - TURNED DOWN BY OVER TEN DEALERSHIPS. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON HOW WE CAN RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND IS A DISABLED VETERAN AND WE RELY ON THIS VEHICLE TO GET TO AND FROM APPOINTMENTS, AS IT IS OUR ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.
NHTSA ODI 11104899
WE BOUGHT THIS 2013 KIA FORTE KOUP IN OCTOBER 2014. IT HAD 29,000 MILES ON IT. WE HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY AND ON SCHEDULE. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM COLLEGE ON DECEMBER 19, 2017 AND HER CAR STARTED SMOKING, SHAKING AND LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CAR HAD 73,405 MILES ON IT. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED AT MY EXPENSE BACK TO OUR DEALERSHIP IN LUFKIN, TX, I RESEARCHED WHAT SHE DESCRIBED AND IT WAS IDENTICAL TO THE ENGINE FAILURES EXPERIENCED BY THE KIA OPTIMAS AND SORENTOS THAT WERE RECALLED. AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IT WAS DECIDED THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION WOULD BE TO REPLACE THE BLOCK. ACCORDING TO KIA IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO GET THE BLOCK IN. WE CHOSE TO SEND HER BACK TO SCHOOL IN OUR PERSONAL FAMILY VEHICLE. 2 WEEKS TURNED INTO 5 MONTHS. THE KIA SERVICE MANAGER UPON BEGINNING REPAIR IN MAY 2018, SAID THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A MANUFACTURE'S DEFECT FULL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE SIMILAR TO THE OPTIMAS AND SORENTOS EVEN THOUGH THE FORTE WAS NOT RECALLED. BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY OF THE FAILURE MULTIPLE ENGINE COMPONENTS HAD TO BE REPLACED BESIDES THE BLOCK. TOTAL INVOICE: LABOR $2464 PARTS $7435.34 TAX $613.42. TOTAL COST $9762.76 NADA VALUE OF CAR $9600. KIA CONSUMER SERVICE RESPONSE: INITIAL OFFER $1500, FINAL OFFER $2461.70 (PRICE OF THE REMAN ENGINE). NOT TO MENTION LOSS OF USE FOR 5 MONTHS. KIA SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE ENGINE DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGN OF USER NEGLECT AND THAT THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE WAS 100% MANUFACTURE DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI 11103921
THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THETA II ENGINES IN KIA CARS NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL THE MODELS WITH THAT ENGINE. I HAVE A 2013 FORTE SX WITH ONE OF THOSE DEFECTIVE THETA II 2.4L ENGINES. IT APPEARS THAT ONLY THE OPTIMA, SORENTO AND SPORTAGE MODELS MADE THE LIST. NOT SURE IF IT IS AN OVERSIGHT OR THAT THEY MADE SO FEW FORTES WITH THAT ENGINE. HOWEVER IT IS, THE POINT IS THAT THE ENGINE IS BAD NO MATTER WHAT VEHICLE THEY DEEMED TO PLACE IT IN. PLEASE EXPAND THE RECALL TO MAKE THE ENGINE THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE RECALL. ALL THESE CARS HAVE THE THETA II PER WIKIPEDIA: THETA/THETA-II ENGINE - 2.4L (2359CC) (G4KC, G4KE, G4KG, G4KJ,) HYUNDAI SONATA (2006'2010) HYUNDAI SONATA GDI (2011-) HYUNDAI SONATA (2011-) (MIDDLE EAST) HYUNDAI TUCSON (2010-) HYUNDAI SANTA FE (2010-) HYUNDAI STAREX (2007-) KIA OPTIMA (2006'2010) KIA OPTIMA GDI (2011-) KIA RONDO (2007-) KIA CADENZA GDI (2011-) KIA SPORTAGE (2011-) KIA SORENTO (2011-) KIA FORTE (2010-2013) *TR
NHTSA ODI 11102940
I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY, ACCELERATED TO MATCH TRAFFIC SPEED, I HEARD THE ENGINE'S RPMS INCREASE BUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS THE CAR SHUT DOWN. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A VERY BUSY INTERCHANGE AND GOING ABOUT 60MPH WHEN THE CAR QUIT. I KEPT TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR BY PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL AND AT THE SAME TIME STEER IT TOWARDS THE SHOULDER. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. WHEN I HEARD THE ENGINE NOISE I LOOKED AT THE DASH, ALL WAS NORMAL, THE D FOR DRIVE WAS VISIBLE. IT HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY. ONCE STOPPED AND OUT OF TRAFFIC, I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR, IT RAN FOR JUST SECONDS THEN NOTHING. THIS CAR HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED AT THE KIA DEALER. IT ONLY HAS 51K MILES ON IT. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY ARE TELLING ME THE ENGINE IS FAULTY BUT THEY DON'T MAKE IT ANYMORE AND THEY HAVE NO RESOLUTION FOR ME. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 MONTHS PAST THE 5 YEAR MARK AND IT IS UNDER 60000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PERFECTLY, IT STILL LOOKS NEW. THE ORIGINAL OWNER DID ALL THE SERVICE AS WELL. KIA KNOWS THEY HAVE FAULTY ENGINES, YET THEY DO NOTHING TO WARN THE OWNERS OR REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE SAY THEIR CARS ARE GOOD FOR 10YRS OR 100K MILES, THEN THEY SHOULD MAKE IT SO. THIS CAR IS A TOP OF THE LINE 2013 FORTE SX (WITH ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES) . I BELIEVE IT IS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE LATEST AIRBAG RECALL AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI 11101299
Working with the data? Download all 211 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026