What 439 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Forte Koup

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V015000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND THE CONTACT HAD TO CALL ANOTHER DEALER TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND DID NOT ADDRESS THE RECALL CONCERN. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 6/3/15CN UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI 10712412

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WITH A STEEP INCLINE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP OR TURN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED BEFORE WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OR WHEN THE VEHICLE DROVE THROUGH WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,500.

NHTSA ODI 10703084

ON FEB 14TH, 2015 I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD, THERE WAS A SNOW BLIZZARD, IT WAS JUST STARTING, I WAS TRYING TO STOP ON AN INTERSECTION MY SPEED WAS LESS THEN 10MPH, THERE WAS A TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME, MY CAR SLIPPED HITTING THE HOOK ON THE TRUCK. THERE IS A SMALL HOLE ON BUMPER THAT SMALL IMPACT ACTIVATED THE AIRBAGS. MY LEFT WRIST WAS BROKEN. ULNA AND RADIUS FRACTURE PRETTY BAD. I WAS TAKEN ON AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL AND GOT SURGERY 2 WEEKS AFTER. IT'S TAKING ME 6 WEEKS OUT OF WORK AND 3 MONTHS TO RECOVER. I BELIEVE THE AIRBAG AT THAT SPEED SHOULDN'T COME OUT. THE FRONT WINDOW WAS BROKEN BECAUSE OF PASSENGER SIT AIRBAG AND SEATBELT ON FRONT SITS HAVE TO BE REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10700697

THREE OF THE FOUR OEM TIRES THAT CAME ON MY VEHICLE HAVE NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO DAMAGED SIDEWALLS. THE OEM TIRES ARE 16 INCH NEXEN CP671 205/55R16 TIRES, AND MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS LESS THAN 23,000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST TIRE (FRONT PASSENGER) DEVELOPED A WEAK EXTERNAL SIDEWALL ON OR ABOUT 12/31/13, WITH 7,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED THIS WITH A NEXEN CP671 205/55R16 OEM TIRE. THE SECOND TIRE (REAR DRIVER SIDE) DEVELOPED A WEAK INTERNAL SIDEWALL ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 15TH, 2014, WITH 14,500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED THIS WITH A NEXEN CP671 205/55R16 OEM TIRE. THE THIRD TIRE (REAR PASSENGER SIDE) DEVELOPED A WEAK EXTERNAL SIDEWALL ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 25TH, 2015, WITH 22,200 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS TIME, I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10694572

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE EQUIPPED WITH NEXEN TIRES, TIRE LINE: CP671, TIRE SIZE P215/45/17, AND DOT NUMBER: 8E0KAEHL3913. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED AS THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE EXHIBITED A MEDIUM SIZE BUBBLE ON THE TIRE SIDEWALL. THE TWO DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ODI 10693342

RECALL ISSUE ON THAT PERTAINS THE FAN BELT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10692949

THREE OF THE FOUR OEM TIRES THAT CAME ON MY VEHICLE HAVE NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO DAMAGED SIDEWALLS. THE OEM TIRES ARE 16 INCH NEXEN CP671 205/55R16 TIRES, AND MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS LESS THAN 23,000 MILES ON IT. *TR THE FIRST TIRE (FRONT PASSENGER) DEVELOPED A WEAK EXTERNAL SIDEWALL ON OR ABOUT 12/31/13, WITH 7,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED THIS WITH A NEXEN CP671 205/55R16 OEM TIRE. THE SECOND TIRE (REAR DRIVER SIDE) DEVELOPED A WEAK INTERNAL SIDEWALL ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 15TH, 2014, WITH 14,500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED THIS WITH A NEXEN CP671 205/55R16 OEM TIRE. THE THIRD TIRE (REAR PASSENGER SIDE) DEVELOPED A WEAK EXTERNAL SIDEWALL ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 25TH, 2015, WITH 22,200 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS TIME, I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND.

NHTSA ODI 10692201

WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR VIOLENTLY SHOOK. THE DEALERSHIP DECIDED TO RESURFACE MY BRAND NEW ROTORS, ONLY 700 MILES ON THE CAR, RATHER THAN REPLACE. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10689467

I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY 2014 KIA FORTE EX FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW. LEASED IT BRAND NEW THE DAY IT LANDED ON THE LOT. I ONLY DRIVE IT TO WORK AND BACK AS WE HAVE A 2014 KIA SORENTO WE DO ALL OUR FAMILY TRAVELING IN. I TOOK THE FORTE TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AS I WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BLUETOOTH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THERE WAS A HOLLOW TUMBLING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. UPON INSPECTION THE SERVICE ASSOCIATE INFORMED ME THAT THE TIRES WERE TORE UP. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THE CAR ONLY HAD 33500 MILES ON IT AND I HAD BROUGHT IT IN AT 6000 MILES TO HAVE THE ALIGNMENT FIXED BECAUSE IT WAS OFF THEN AS WELL. THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT TODAY AND TOLD US THE REAR AXLE IS NOT RIGHT, LOOKS LIKE IT CAME OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE THAT WAY. AS THIS TIME KIA DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR ME, BUT THE CAR IS STILL BRAND NEW, THEY NEED TO MAKE IT RIGHT! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10683076

I HAVE HAD TWO ACCIDENTS ,THE FIRST TIME WHEN I WENT TO TRY AND START MY CAR UP AND IT WOULD NOT START UP. KIA REPLACE MY FUEL PUMP,BELIEVING THAT WAS THE ISSUE. THE SECOND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSIS A PROBLEM SO IT WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10682837

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A RANDOM SHOOTING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL, WINDOW, SEAT, AND SIDE VIEW MIRROR SONG WITH DRIVER SIDE BACK SEAT WINDOWS. ALSO PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECALL FOR 2014 KIA FORTE HEATING,AIR SYSTEMS UNDER THE HOOD CAR DOES NOT BLOW OUT OF ALL VENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10679193

2014 KIA FORTE KOUP SX, BRAND NEW. THE SIDE WINDOWS ARE FRAMELESS ON THE KOUP, AND MUST DROP 1/4 OF AN INCH TO OPEN THE DOOR, AND RAISE BACK UP TO CLOSE AND FORM A TIGHT SEAL AGAINST THE DOOR SILL. WHEN WINDOWS HAVE FROST OR ICE ON THEM THEY WILL NOT DROP THE REQUIRED 1/4 OF AN INCH FOR THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE. ONLY AFTER THE CAR WARMS WILL THE WINDOWS LOWER AND RAISE PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10672819

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FRAYING AND RIPPING DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT HAS OPENED 2X DURING VEHICLE OPERATION TAIL LIGHTS FAULTY, SPORADICALLY TURNING ON AND OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10671490

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE EQUIPPED WITH FOUR NEXEN CP671 TIRES, SIZE P215/45R17. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DEVELOPED A BLISTER AND EVENTUALLY FLATTENED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SAME MODEL, BUT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40.

NHTSA ODI 10671014

2014 KIA FORTE. VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED INTO FLAMES, AS THE CONSUMER WAS WARMING THE VEHICLE UP.*TA THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED A COMPONENT SHORTED OUT THE ENGINE. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10662832

ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 28TH, 2014 AT AROUND 7:45AM, MY 2014 KIA FORTE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AS I WAS DRIVING. IT WAS A MOST TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, IN THE TURNING LANE UNDER AN OVERPASS. I HAD TO WAIT OVER AN HOUR FOR KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEREFORE THE POLICE HAD TO CALL IN A SEPARATE TOW COMPANY SO THAT I WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO ILLEGALLY BLOCK TRAFFIC. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP CAUSING THE 15 AMP FUSE TO BLOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10661087

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO FLIP OVER AND CRASH INTO A DIRT HILL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR HEAD INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

NHTSA ODI 10641716

ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2014, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING OUR 2014 KIA FORTE WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE. AS SOON AS I PULLED THE CAR OVER TO THE SHOULDER, FLAMES CAME OUT OF THE HOOD. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. KIA CORPORATE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT HOWEVER, THEY DO NOT WANT TO INVESTIGATE. I NEED HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10639468

I DISCOVERED ALONG WITH OTHER KIA FORTE/K3 OWNERS THAT WHEN IT RAINS, WHETHER IT IS MODERATE OR HEAVY, MASSIVE WATER LEAKS INSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND NOT MOVE AN INCH AND STILL I FOUND WATER ALL OVER THE ENGINE(AFTER RAINY DAY), BATTERY TERMINAL, FUSE CASE, AIR FILTER CASE, AND MAJORITY OF LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE ROOM AS WELL. DEALER TOLD NOT TO WORRY, BUT I'VE HAD MANY CARS IN THE PAST THAT NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS FLAW. I'M AFRAID THIS CAN LEAD TO MASSIVE ENGINE/RUST POSSIBLY FIRE FROM MASSIVE WATER DROPLETS AND HIGH TEMPERATURE OF ENGINE AND ALL KINDS OF CONNECTORS THAT IS EXPOSED AS A RESULT OF THIS. I PLEAD NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS CRITICAL AND DANGEROUS FLAW POSED BY KIA AND THEIR IRRESPONSIBLE SOLUTION OF IGNORING PASSENGER SAFETY. AS OF NOW, I STOPPED DRIVING IN THE RAIN, AND THIS IS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT AS A WORKING COMMUTER. I WOULD FIRST TEST THE PART WHERE WINDOW WIPERS MEET AND POUR SOME WATER THERE, AND THEN I WOULD USE PRESSURE WASH TO JUST SPRAY THE HOOD AND YOU'LL FIND WHAT I MEAN. MODERATE RAIN SHOULD NOT CREATE THIS MUCH WATER LEAKS ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THANK YOU. BEST TO CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL IF NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10633424

BLOWOUT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10626778

ON 2 OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS STALLED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN.THE FIRST TIME IT WAS IN APRIL 2014.2ND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS AROUND JULY 29TH 2014. I FIRST REPORT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BACK IN MARCH WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A OIL CHANGE. THEY WOULD NOT PUT IT DOWN ON THE PAPER WORK TO LOOK AT IT SINCE THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEN REPORTED IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS KIA. THE NEW DEALERSHIP DID PUT IT DOWN ON PAPERWORK. BUT SINCE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM,THEY WOULD NOT LOOK INTO IT FURTHER. ALSO HAVE REPORTED A ENGINE NOISE TO THE FIRST DEALERSHIP. THEY FIRST TOLD ME IT WAS A STANDARD NOISE. SO WE STARTED GETTING VIDEOS OF THE NOISE. THEY THEN SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE SAME DAY THAT WE PICKED THE CAR BACK UP FROM THE ENGINE BEING REPLACED WE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR. SOME HOW THE RIGHT DRIVE AXLE GOT BROKE. THEY SAID THEY DID NOT WORK AROUND THAT AREA.SO THEN THAT MEANS THAT THEY COMMITTED FRAUD BY FALSIFYING DOCS WHEN THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE. 2 DAYS AFTER FINALLY GETTING THE CAR BACK THE ENGINE NOISE CAME BACK.NOW I GOT TOLD THAT THEY WILL NOT LOOK AT THE CAR UNTIL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON OR THE CAR COMES IN ON A TOW TRUCK. NOW THE BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE CAR JUST STALLING WHILE DRIVING? WHAT HAPPENS NOW IF WE GET INTO A ACCIDENT.THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. KIA NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS.IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR A CAR WITH LESS THAN 14,000 MILES ON IT TO JUST UP AND STALL. I AM TIRED OF HEARING EVERYTHING IS STANDARD. KIA IS FRAUD THEY DO NOT WANT TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY THAT THEY SELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10619114

KIA FORTE EX 2014 ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS WONT LIGHT UP WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELS STIFF WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP. CHECKED ALL PLUGS AND BULBS AND THEY ALL ARE GOOD, CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND WILL TAKE ME IN ON MONDAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10616561

THE FRONT BUMPER IS FALLING DOWN. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER AND ITS HAD A BLOW OUT ON THE RIGHT BACK TIRE,AND THE BUMPER IS FALLING DOWN. KIA SAID THE CLIPS ON BOTH SIDES WERE BREAKING. THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY!!!! THEY SAID IT HAD TO BE MY FAULT. HOW CAN THAT BE??? THERE IS NO WAY I DID ANYTHING TO MAKE THE CLIPS FALL OFF!!! ITS $1,000 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR IN JUST UNDER A YEAR OLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10614825

THE FRONT HEADLIGHT COVERS HAVE LONG CRACKS IN THEM. IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE? *JS

NHTSA ODI 10608748

TIRE BLOWOUT FRONT DRIVERSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10597919