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)

26 of 439 complaints match · Engine · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Apr 27, 2026EngineFire

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that while exiting the contact's residence and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that seconds later, the contact noticed fire coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was unoccupied. The contact attempted to extinguish the fire with two residential fire extinguishers. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The fire inspector informed the contact that the fire was caused by an unknown fluid. The vehicle was not inspected by the insurance company. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occurred moments after the vehicle was parked. The contact referenced a recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine); however, the contact stated that the recall notification was not received. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. In addition, the contact was informed that the recall had been open for a long period of time. The contact was informed that there was no mailing address on file for the mailing of recall notifications. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

NHTSA ODI 11733982

Mar 11, 2023EngineFire

Warning lights starting flashing and vehicle went into "limp mode". Before I could completely pull over the engine started smoking. Taken to the dealer and while they were able to confirm the rod bearing was the failure, it also caused other failures so Kia wouldnt cover it under the warranty. I've did arbitration but still no help.

NHTSA ODI 11511334

Feb 27, 2023Electrical systemEngineFire

My car caught on fire out of nowhere when i pulled into my grandma's house. I was unaware of a recall until I was advised by the firman that put my car out that they had also put another kia out the same day and it had a recall. Upon searching I found this recall. I contacted kia and went through their claims process. They inspected my vehicle and are still claiming it didnt come from inside the dash board which is where the fire originated when I tried to put it out before it got out of hand. I have a video that proves i pulled in and it caught fire spontaneously. Kia has but me through trauma with that fire and I am lucky to still have a job with the work I missed without a vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11509413

Jan 1, 2023EngineFirerelatedFire

I was driving on the highway going 50 mph where the vehicle suddenly shut off and started smoking. I exited the vehicle to take a look and the entire engine compartment was on fire. I only had the car for 2 months and was never made aware of any recalls on the car

NHTSA ODI 11499686

Jun 26, 2022SteeringSuspensionEngineCrash1 injury

On June 24, 2022 I was driving my vehicle on 435N to work. My steering wheel jerked to the left and started spinning out of control. I was driving at 60mph in the inside lane. When my steering jerked it caused me to turn headfirst into the inside wall. I proceeded to spin out of control across 3 lanes of rush hour traffic, clipping a second vehicle, before smashing into the outside wall and then resting in the outside lane horizontally. I was rushed to the emergency room where I suffered a broken back. Upon looking at the recalls and safety issues with my vehicle there was a recall #17V773000 for the brake pedal stopper; a most recent

NHTSA ODI 11471011

Apr 4, 2022EngineFire

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine stalled. The contact pulled safely off the road. The contact stated the check engine light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and attempted to drive it home. The contact said that the engine began to make a knocking noise and again stalled. The contact had the vehicle towed to her house and then to the dealer. The dealer mechanic started the vehicle and smoke began to issue out from under the hood. The mechanic turned the vehicle off, no more smoke or fire was noticed after the hood was opened. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11459552

Apr 4, 2022EngineFire

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH a knocking type noise was suddenly present coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off causing the vehicle to abruptly reduce speed. The vehicle was restarted but the failure continued to occur. While examining under the hood black smoke was present coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number 20V750000 (Engine). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 129,000.

NHTSA ODI 11459572

Nov 17, 2021Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsEngineCrash

My Kia Forte when I put it in reverse it will jerk back then pause and hardly push itself backwards I have no control same as putting the car into Drive. I also consistently hear water in the bottom of my car swishing around.

NHTSA ODI 11440761

Nov 12, 2021EngineFire

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 45 mph, the engine failed and smoke was coming from the engine. The contact's son was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure, and no oil was found in the oil reservoir. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to another dealer, Koons Annapolis Toyota (1107 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401), and the dealer sent documents from the previous dealer, Kia of Bowie, to the manufacturer. The Koons Annapolis Toyota dealer had the vehicle towed to Alexandria Car Clinic (3235 Colvin St, Alexandria, VA 22314) for the engine replacement. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. However, the manufacturer closed the case without notifying the contact and had not responded to the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 66,800.

NHTSA ODI 11440229

Aug 20, 2021EngineFire

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming excessive oil and there was oil leaking onto the ground. The contact had to put 1 to 2 quarts of oil for every trip. There was also smoke coming from the engine and a loud knocking noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on four separate occasions and the dealer refilled the oil. However, the dealer could not diagnose the failure. The contact stated that the dealer attempted to make her sign a waiver but when she refused, the dealer would not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned that the vehicle may catch fire. The contact attempted to contact the manufacturer but was not able to speak to a live representative. The failure mileage was 54,498.

NHTSA ODI 11429886

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 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 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

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

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

Jun 12, 2018AirbagsBrakesEngineCrash

MY DAUGHTER HAD A CAR CRASH ON JULY 22, 2017 DUE TO BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN TUSCALOOSA, AL AND THERE WERE NO OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD THANK GOD. HER CAR HYDROPLANED AND HIT A RAILING. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. UNKNOWN ABOUT THE FAULT OR PROBLEM THAT CREATED THE UNSAFE CONDITION. HER CAR IS AT A BODY SHOP IN ALABAMA SO I WILL OBTAIN REPAIR INVOICES AND POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MY DAUGHTER DOES NOT HAVE CAR INSURANCE.

NHTSA ODI 11101534

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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 →