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)

214 of 439 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 6 of 9

Feb 8, 2021SteeringEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. DURING THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE ENGINE COILS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000 (ENGINE), THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF GREENVILLE LOCATED AT 2424 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607 HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11395241

Feb 3, 2021Engine

THE 2014 KIA FORTE EX HAS ALWAYS HAD OIL CHANGES ON TIME AT ABOUT EVERY 3000 MILES. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN OPERATED IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER AS MUCH MONEY WAS SPENT BUYING THE CAR. NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR UNTIL RECENTLY STARTED TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AT IDLE, THEN STARTED TO MAKE A NOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE ESPECIALLY UNDER LOAD. WE DO NOT KNOW IF THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM WAITING ON A KNOCK SENSOR SOFTWARE UPDATE RECALL LETTER. THIS LETS US KNOW KIA DEALERSHIPS HAVE THE ABILITY TO PERFORM THIS PART OF RECALL AS THEY ARE UNABLE TO DO THIS AS OF 02/03/2021. I SURE HOPE WE CAN GET THIS QUALITY AND SAFETY PROBLEM RESOLVED. THE CAR HAS ONLY 70060 MILES ON IT. ENGINE FAILURE SHOULD NOT OCCUR THIS EARLY ON. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY TYPE OF MAJOR ENGINE FAILURES WITH A CAR WITH THIS LOW OF MILES ON IT. VERY LIKELY A MACHINING OR ENGINEERING DEFECT. RECALL SC200. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP TODAY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO YET SO TO SPEAK. THEY SAID IT PASSED THE PART OF INSPECTION THEY ARE ABLE TO DO SO FAR. KIA HEADQUARTERS IN CA SAID NOTHING CAN DO YET. WE AGREED WAIT TO GET SOFTWARE UPDATE. MEANWHILE WE HAVE A CAR THAT WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE, MAKES LOUD NOCKING NOISE. RECALL SC200

NHTSA ODI 11394525

Jan 28, 2021Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING AN ENGINE ROD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN 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 FAILURE AND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 11390509

Jan 27, 2021Electrical systemEngine

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.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11390262

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 25, 2021EngineFuel system

I REPLACED MY CATALYC CONVERTER IN JULY, WAS INFORMED THERE WAS AN INTERNAL OIL LEAK FROM THE ENGINE CAUSING THE CATALYC TO CLOG AND CAR LOSE POWER. REPLACED THE WHOLE THING OVER $2000. NOW EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATED. AS WELL CAN SMELL THE OIL BURNING.

NHTSA ODI 11389720

Jan 20, 2021Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FRIEND WHO'S A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TESTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THAT THE CONNECTOR ROD BEARING WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.*DT

NHTSA ODI 11389042

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

Jan 11, 2021Engine

I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS AND NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS AND KEPT UP ON THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND ONE DAY I DROVE IT TO THE STORE AND BACK HOME WENT TO GET BACK IN LATER ABOUT A HOUR OR SO NEVER STARTED AGAIN. SO I CALLED MY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD MY 2014 KIA FORTE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE ENGINE HAD FAILED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

NHTSA ODI 11387588

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

Dec 4, 2020Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

MY VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME UNDER A WARRANTY. UPON DRIVING THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. WOULD NOT RESTART. ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE BY KIA. AS WELL AS A REPLACEMENT OIL PAN RANDOMLY. MY LONG TIME MECHANIC SAID THE OIL PAN WASN'T NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 1ST REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE. IN TOTAL THE CAR HAS HAD 3 ENGINES. EMISSIONS PROBLEM EVER SINCE. LIGHT ON AND KIA HAS BILLED AND USED ALL OF THE WARRANTY COVERAGE. ALL DOCUMENTATION PROVIDABLE. ALL OIL CHANGES PROVIDABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11377904

Nov 11, 2020Engine

IN JUNE OF 2019, I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN MY 2014 KIA FORTE. MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS DUE TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND WHEN HE REMOVED THE OLD ENGINE METAL FRAGMENTS AND PIECES WERE FOUND IN THE OIL PAN WHERE THE ENGINE WAS LITERALLY FALLING APART. THIS COST ME A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO REPLACE AND KIA WAS ABSOLUTELY UNWILLING TO HELP COVER ANY COSTS OF THE REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE ON SO MANY LEVELS. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM KIA IN 2014 AND WHEN I REPLACED THE ENGINE IN 2019 IT HAD 140,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I WAS COMING BACK FROM MY SON'S BIRTHDAY OUTING, THE CAR MADE A REALLY LOUD NOISE AND WHEN I HIT THE GAS IT WOULD NOT GO. WE WERE ABLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND MAKE IT TO THE NEAREST PULL OFF SPOT BUT HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MECHANIC SHOP.

NHTSA ODI 11374104

Oct 20, 2020Engine

CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AND HAS ONLY 120000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENGINE HAS STARTED TICKING. THE ENGINES BEARING ARE WORN OUT. THIS IS NOT TYPICAL FOR A CAR AT 120,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11365425

Oct 8, 2020Engine

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OUR KIA MOTOR STARTED TO KNOCK. A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND ENSUED AND IT STRUGGLED TO WORK. WE BROUGHT IT TO KIA AND THEY SAID WE NEEDED A NEW MOTOR THAT COST 4700. THIS CAR IS LESS THAN 7 YEARS OLD WITH GREAT CARE. MILLIONS OF OTHER KIAS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN MADE BUT I AM FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS NO FAULT OF MINE. KIA NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST AND LABOR FOR A NEW MOTOR. THEY HAVE SHOWN THROUGH THE MANY CALLS THAT CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NOT THEIR WAY. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO ALSO BE RESOLVED BUY ISSUING A RECALL FOR ALL KIA 2014 KIA FORTES. COUNTLESS PEOPLE ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE POOR ACTIONS OF KIA MOTORS DEALERS.

NHTSA ODI 11363472

Sep 27, 2020Electrical systemEngineFuel 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 ODI 11361386

Sep 15, 2020Engine

I WOKE UP ONE DAY AND WENT TO HEAD OVER TO MY BUDDIES HOUSE. IT WAS A FIFTEEN MINUTE DRIVE AND WHEN I GOT THERE I TOLD HIM MY CAR STARTED SOUNDING FUNNY ON THE WAY OVER. THE OIL WAS GOOD AND EVERYTHING ELSE SO WE TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE DOWN THE STREET SO HE COULD LISTEN TO IT. WE GOT TO THE LIGHT A HALF MILE DOWN THE HOUSE AND THE ENGINE MADE A SCRATCHING NOISE AND I STARTED TO LOSE POWER I ALSO FELT MY STEERING WHEEL LOSE POWER STEERING AND THEN I WAS AT THE FRONT OF THE ROW IN THE TURN LANE. MY CAR CRAWLED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BUT I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET AND MY PARENTS TOWED IT HOME ON THEIR TRAILER. WE TOOK IT TO AN AUTO SHOP AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO CHEAP STOCK BEARINGS AROUND THE CAM. THE BEARINGS GAVE OUT AND THE METAL SHREDDED INSIDE AND WAS SENT THROUGH THE ENGINE. SINCE IT'S PRE OWNED I CAN'T GET A NEW ENGINE AND THIS SPECIFIC ENGINE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL HASN'T BEEN RECALLED YET.

NHTSA ODI 11355250

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

Aug 6, 2020Engine

PURCHASED A 2014 KIA FORTE FROM A NEW/USED AUTO DEALERSHIP IN LATE JUNE 2020. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECENTLY SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF SALE.ON AUGUST 2ND, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK AND THE CHECK OIL LIGHT TURNED ON SPORADICALLY A TWO OR THREE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT A TEN MINUTE DRIVE. THE LIGHT NEVER STAYED ON FOR MORE THAN 1 SECOND EACH TIME. BECAUSE OF THE LIGHT, WE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY. THE ENGINE FAILED AS THE MECHANIC STARTED TO LOOK AT IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKED OIL PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. DEALER REPORTED SHAVINGS IN THE OIL PAN. THERE WAS NO ADEQUATE VEHICLE SYSTEM WARNING, FOR ANY REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME, TO INDICATE THERE WAS AN OIL ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11343637

Jul 25, 2020Engine

ENGINE HAS BEEN USING OIL FOR LAST 15 TO 20,000 MILES APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART EVERY THOUSAND MILES. ENGINE STARTED TO KNOCK ABOUT 120000 MILES. OIL CHANGED RELIGIOUSLY EVERY 3 TO 4000 MILES. I I'M A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC AND ENGINE MACHINIST DISASSEMBLED THE ENGINE FOUND CONTAMINATION IN BEARINGS, MAIN BEARINGS AND ROD BEARINGS. UNUSUAL WEAR NOT GENERALLY SEEN IN OTHER MANUFACTURERS ENGINES.

NHTSA ODI 11341458

Jul 17, 2020Engine

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET WHEN THE OIL LIGHT TURNED ON FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS THEN TURNED OFF FOR ROUGHTLY 30 SECONDS TURNED BACK ON THEN ALL LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND THE VEHICLE DIED. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD NEED A ENGINE REPLACMENT. I CALLED KIA AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME 7,564 PLUS TAX AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE IT TOWED THERE, ALSO I DID NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY DISCOUNTS OR WARRENTIES.

NHTSA ODI 11339948

Jun 18, 2020Engine

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 50 MPH AND RPMS WERE JUMPING TO 5&6 FOR NO REASON. THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING, SO I PULLED OVER & THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. MECHANIC SAYS ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A BROKEN ROD ON CYLINDER 3. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329597

Jun 12, 2020Speed controlEngineFuel system

I OWN A 2014 KIA FORTE EX.. WHEN I FIRST GOT MY CAR I NOTICE A LIGHTLY TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE A LOT OF PEOPLE TOLD ME THE TICKING SOUND WAS NORMAL ON NEW ENGINES . IT SEEMS TO GET A BIT LOUDER AS TIME WHEN IN.. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING WHEN WE NOTICE THE SOUND GOT MUCH LOUDER AND A SLAPPING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND MY CAR LOOSING POWER AND ALSO A BURNING SMOKE SMELL GETTING MUCH HEAVIER TO THE POINT THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF AND QUIT IT ON US. THE DASH ALSO GOT VERY HOT AT THIS POINT .. WE CALLED FOR TOW SERVICE AND GOT THE CAR BACK HOME ... WAS SURE WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH MY CAR .. THANK YOU ! *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328540

Jun 11, 2020Engine

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR SHUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING ANYWHERE. I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN THE CAR ALMOST EACH TIME I GET GAS. THERE IS KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON. CAR FAILS TO START FROM TIME TO TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328392

Jun 8, 2020AirbagsEngine

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE HORN AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS HAVE ALL STOPPED WORKING. I WAS TOLD THAT A SPRING CLOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED SOMEWHERE BUT I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW AND ITS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. ALSO MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT AND MY CAR IS BURNING FUEL AND OR OIL AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY. I WASN'T DOING ANYTHING BUT A NORMAL DRIVE WHEN THESE ISSUES BEGAN TO OCCUR. HELP *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327760

Apr 11, 2020EngineFuel system

WHILE IN MOTION, ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS ON ONE DRIVE, THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REMAINED ACTIVE. ALL THREE TIMES THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE ACCELERATING. ONCE AFTER SLOWLY GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS. ONCE AFTER BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND GIVING GAS AFTER GOING FROM "REVERSE" TO "DRIVE". AND FINALLY, WHEN SLOWING FOR A TURNING VEHICLE AND ACCELERATING TO GO UP A SLIGHT INCLINE. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK IT OVER AND DESPITE CHECKING AND TESTING EVERY COMMON CAUSE, HE COULD NOT RECREATE THE SCENARIO. ALSO, HE REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES THROWN AS A RESULT OF THE EVENT.

NHTSA ODI 11320821

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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 →