Home · 2014 Kia Forte Koup · Complaints

What 439 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Forte Koup

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.

All (439)Crash / fire / injury (68)Engine (214)Airbags (62)Steering (62)Electrical system (57)Brakes (28)Fuel system (26)Lights (22)Body & structure (18)Transmission & drivetrain (17)Seat belts (14)

68 of 439 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 2 of 3

Jun 30, 2021Electrical systemEngineFuel systemFire

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 ODI 11423017

Mar 1, 2021EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, HE HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND A BURNING FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH DAMAGES CONNECTING RODS. RODS THAT CONNECTS THE PISTON TO THE CRANKSHAFT FROM THE BOTTOM PART OF THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC CONTACTED THE KIA MANUFACTURER FOR SUPPORT AND WAS INFORMED THERE WOULD BE A RECALL FROM NHTSA COMING OUT SOON RELATING TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE) AND THAT WAS THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO HANSEN KIA ( 2300 CARRIAGE LOOP SW, OLYMPIA, WA 98502) FOR A RECALL INSPECTION BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE TOP PART OF THE ENGINE AND NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL SO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS DENIED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE FAILURE AGAIN WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE BOTTOM PART OF THE ENGINE THAT HAD A BROKEN ROD BEARING RELATING TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE KIA DEALER OF THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC'S DIAGNOSTIC AND PROVIDED PHOTO EVIDENCE BUT WAS AGAIN DENIED THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER SHOWING ON VIN TOOL WHEN HE SEARCHED IT USING HIS VIN AFTER THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL INSPECTION, THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,800.

NHTSA ODI 11398567

Feb 26, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngineFire

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AS I WAS DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11398075

Feb 25, 2021AirbagsCrash1 injury

THE KIA WAS MOVING INTO THE CITY INTERSECTION AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED WHEN A CHEVY BLAZER TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60+ MPH HIT THE KIA, WITHOUT BREAKING AND RIPPED THE WHOLE FRONT END OFF. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS RESULTED IN INJURIES.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11397828

Feb 19, 2021Body & structureEngineFuel systemFire

THE CAR WAS HAVING SOME ... PAUSE, WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS SO IT WAS TAKEN TO A KIA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL INJECTION SO WE PAID THE 200 PLUS DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED, THIS HAPPEN ON A FRIDAY, AFTER THE FIX WE FEULED UP AND SATURDAY THE CAR WAS NOT USED ON SUNDAY MORNING GETTING TO CHURCH THE CAR MOTOR WAS ON FIRE. THIS HAPPENED NEAR THACKER AVE

NHTSA ODI 11396922

Jan 28, 2021Speed controlBrakesFuel systemCrash3 injuries

BEFORE EXITING BUT DURING DEPARTURE OF PARKING LOT FOR APARTMENT BUILDING KEEPING BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED WITH TRANSMISSION GEARED IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE QUICKLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY TOOK OFF AND SPED OUT OF CONTROL BACKWARDS UNTIL STOPPED BY SUDDEN IMPACT WITH A TREE RESULTING IN NUMEROUS BODILY INJURIES TO TRAUMATIC MENTALLY ANGUISHED DRIVER AND 2 PASSENGERS, 1 OF WHICH WAS SEATED IN THE BACKSEAT COLLISION SIDE RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE ACCORDING TO DRIVERS INSURANCE POLICY PROVIDER STATE FARM. CLAIM NUMBER: 53-15K1-66D

NHTSA ODI 11390435

Jan 26, 2021EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE AND LOW OIL LIGHTS HAD ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE HOME. THE NEXT DAY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER RALLY KIA LOCATED AT 438 AUTO VISTA DR, PALMDALE, CA 93551 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,000.

NHTSA ODI 11390040

Jan 19, 2021EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER FIANC WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND STARTED TO NOTICE A "BURNING" SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PARK AT A NEAR PARKING LOT AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER DECIDED TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION AND WHILE EXITING THE PARKING LOT, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED THEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER TAYLOR KIA OF BOARDMAN (7870 MARKET ST, YOUNGSTOWN, OH 44512: (234) 719-4839) AND WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

NHTSA ODI 11388903

Dec 7, 2020EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED FOR A SPLIT SECOND. A MILE DOWN THE ROAD, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD AS AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS THE VEHICLE DEACCELERATED, THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THERE WAS SMOKE PRESENT. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THERE WAS OIL ON THE ROAD AS ODOR APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK HAD A HOLE AND THAT THE ROD FORCEFULLY FRACTURE THE STARTER. CENTURY KIA OF TAMPA 4340 W HILLSBOROUGH AVE, TAMPA, FL 33614 WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTIES EXPIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THE DAY BEFORE THE FAILURE FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ENGINE CLEANING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.

NHTSA ODI 11378248

Aug 10, 2020EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY THEN HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND COME FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN LOSS THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, THEREFORE, THE CONTACT THEN DECIDED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE THEN SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE/FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY DEEMED TOTALED AS OF YET. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AS OF YET. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11344280

Mar 2, 2020Fire

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE BEGAN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. SMOKE WAS NOTICED FIRST AND THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS EXITED AND FLAMES BEGAN CONSUMING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11315635

Jan 30, 2020Crash

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND GEICO CAN COMMUNICATE THIS. MY VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. IN 2018 I TRIED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11302988

Jan 28, 2020Electrical systemFire

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 ODI 11302615

Jan 12, 2020SteeringAirbagsCrash1 injury

AIRBAG LIGHT FOR PASSENGER COMES ON AND OFF WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT. AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE DRIVER IS ON NOW, AS WELL AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL KNOCKS WHEN THE CAR IS MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AND THE HORN HAS NOW STOPPED WORKING BECAUSE SOMETHING IS IN THE WAY AND WON'T ALLOW THE PRESSURE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. WE HAVE REPLACED BULBS FOR THE TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES A YEAR. THIS CAN'T BE NORMAL! WE NOW KEEP BULBS IN THE CAR TO BE PREPARED TO REPLACE AT ANY TIME. WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK, WHERE A TRUCK RAN THE RED LIGHT AND HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS IS TROUBLING AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI 11298870

Sep 4, 2019EngineFire

BOUGHT VEHICLENUSED FROM PRIVATE PARTY. RAN GOOD LOOKS GREAT DROVE 500 MILES ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND AND SHUT OFF SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD. OPENS HOOD AND SAW/SMELLED BURNING UNDER ENGINE COVER, PULLED COVER AND SAW MELTED WIRES AND MELTED PLASTIC. ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP. TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE AND WAS DETERMINED ENGINE OUT A ROD THROUGH THE BLOCK AND SOMETHING WAS DEFINITELY BURNING KN TOP AT 1 POI T. EMAILED KIA GOT A CASE # BUT HAVE BEEN PLACED ON HOLD FOR OVER 30 MIN PROB LONGER COULDNT WAIT AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. DEALER WAS NO HELP AND SAID I NEEDED TO CONTACT KIA CORPORATE. SUCH A SHAME! 89,565 MILES AND I HAVE A BROKEN VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11253160

Aug 6, 2019EngineFire

ON 08-05-2019 I WAS TRAVELING ONTO THE INTERSTATE, UPON ACCELERATION MY AUTOMOBILE BEGIN TO POWER DOWN, IN FRONT OF A TRACTOR TRAILER. I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE TO DO SO IN A SAFE MANNER. AFTER ABOUT ONE MINUTE OF CONTINUOUSLY ACCELERATION, THE CAR BEGIN TO MOVE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF KIA IN THE PAST, THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL KIA DEALERSHIP WITH NO RESOLUTION. THIS REMAINS TO BE AN EXTREME SAFETY CONCERN, THAT COULD BECOME DEADLY. ON 08-03-2019, IN AN UNRELATED INCIDENT I WITNESSED A KIA SOUL BURN TO THE GROUND AFTER CATCHING FIRE; SIMPLY PUT THESE VEHICLES APPEAR TO BE VERY UNSAFE FOR OPERATION.

NHTSA ODI 11241992

Jul 17, 2019Electrical systemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON RE-ENTERING THE VEHICLE WITH A PASSENGER, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE CHARGER PORT. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AS THE FLAMES ERUPTED WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER TO HAVE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS COMING THROUGH THE LIGHTER/CHARGER PORT CONNECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE FAILURE. A FIRE INSPECTION REPORT WAS PROVIDED AFTER THE FLAMES HAD BEEN EXTINGUISHED. A DEALER WAS CONTACTED CRAIN HYUNDAI OF NORTH LITTLE ROCK, 5660 WARDEN RD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 72116, (501) 232-4018 BUT HAD NOT PROVIDED ANY TECHNICAL GUIDANCE AS OF YET. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO DETERMINE IF THEY MAY INVESTIGATE THE FIRE. 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11232783

May 2, 2019EngineFuel systemFire

ENGINE KNOCKING AND THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR HAD 86,000 MILES. DROVE CAR TO WORK NEXT DAY AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING HOME ON BUSY HIGHWAY. KIA CORP KNOWS OF A PROBLEM WITH FUEL PUMP AND LINES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED ONCE ENGINE IS REPLACED BUT FAILED TO LET THEIR DEALERSHIPS BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. ALSO WHY IS THE FORTE NOT ON RECALL LIST AS MANY KIA FORTES ARE ALSO CATCHING ON FIRE DUE TO ENGINE/ ENGINE REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI 11205174

Mar 11, 2019Electrical systemBody & structureEngineFire

03/08/19 AT 5:45AM I WAS ENTERING US HWY 23 N. BOUND FROM CENTRAL AVE. IN SYLVANIA OHIO. THE CAR WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH ACCELERATION AS I TRIED TO GET ON THE FREEWAY. SUDDENLY I HEARD LIKE A FAN NOISE, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF! I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS SMOKE WAS FILLING THE CABIN. I GOT OUT AND WENT AROUND FRONT AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT BETWEEN THE HOOD AND THE FENDER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CALLED 911. ONE POLICE AND 2 FIRE TRUCKS SHOWED UP IN NOTHING FLAT! THE FIRE WAS MOVING INTO THE CAB. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS! AFTER MY OWN RESEARCH I FIRMLY BELIEVE IT WAS THE COOLING FAN RESISTOR. THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THE NOISE I HEARD AND THE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11185864

Feb 12, 2019LightsVisibility & wipersFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS PERCEIVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT THE ORIGIN OF THE ODOR COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILLION AUTO KIA (605-309-0977, LOCATED AT 1400 CAMBELL ST, RAPID CITY, SD 57701) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF AT RANDOM AND WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED AFTER THEY WERE MANUALLY TURNED OFF. THE SAME DEALER STATED THAT THE INTERIOR SWITCHES WERE INOPERABLE. THE FAILURES WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11176611

Feb 10, 2019Electrical systemLightsAirbagsCrash

VEHICLE IN MOTION HIT DEER. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AT THE TIME AND CONTINUES BEING A HAZARD AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. SMELL OF SOMETHING BUT INFO TURNED OUT TO BE BLOWER MOTOR CONNECTOR THE BLOWER MOTOR MALFUNCTIONS THE SEATBELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN

NHTSA ODI 11176074

Sep 28, 2018Fire

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THOUGHT I SAW FIRE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THERE WAS MASSIVE SMOKE COMING FROM MY HOOD, SO BAD THAT I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY CAR IS TOTALED. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11132568

Jul 29, 2018AirbagsCrash1 injury

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION ACCIDENT ON 6/18/2018 (DUE TO SOMEONE RUNNING A RED LIGHT) IT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE OF APPROXIMATELY 4500.00 .. THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. A MAJOR CONCERN FOR ME. WHEN I ASKED BOTH THE REPAIR SHOP AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY AS TO WHY THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. THE ONLY THING I WAS TOLD WAS. "YOU SHOULD BE THANKFUL BECAUSE HAD IT DEPLOYED WE WOULD HAVE TOTALLED THE CAR!' THIS DOES NOT HELP WITH MY FEELING SECURE O. MY VEHICLE OR HELP WITH MY ANXIETY. AND DEFINITELY DOES NOT A ANSWER MY QUESTIONS..

NHTSA ODI 11114396

Jul 24, 2018EngineFire1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL ODOR. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIREFIGHTERS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT'S SIGNIFICANT OTHER SUFFERED BURNS ON THE RIGHT HAND THUMB, BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11113392

Jul 21, 2018Fire1 injury

I WAS TAKING MY BOYFRIEND TO WORK WHEN I NOTICED A SMELL WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR THE SMELL GOT WORST I WENT TO GO GET MY BOYFRIEND AND WHEN WE GOT BACK TO THE CAR IT WAS SMOKING. I HURRIED AND GRABBED THE KIDS OUT IF THE CAR NEXT THING WE KNOW THE FRONT IF THE CAR UNDER THE HOOD CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS ALMOST A BRAND NEW CAR IT HAD ONLY 60,000 MILES ON IT. NO WARNING LIGHTS NOTHING THE FIRE WAS SO BIG LIKE SOMETHING OUT IF A MOVIE. KIA ISN'T EXPLAINING WHY MY CAR WOULD JUST CATCH FIRE OUT OF THE BLUE. IT WAS RUNNING PARKED ON A BUSINESS PARKING LOT

NHTSA ODI 11112815

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Working with the data? Download all 439 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2014 Kia Forte Koup verdict →