Home · 2014 Kia Forte · Complaints

What 437 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Forte

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 (437)Crash / fire / injury (67)Engine (213)Airbags (62)Steering (62)Electrical system (56)Brakes (28)Fuel system (25)Lights (22)Body & structure (18)Transmission & drivetrain (17)Seat belts (14)

Newest first · 437 complaints · page 3 of 18

Apr 30, 2024Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V705000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started making an abnormal sound. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the sound persisted prior to the vehicle stalling. The contact stated an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a piston misfire. The vehicle could not be restarted. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. The VIN was not provided.

NHTSA ODI 11586098

Apr 17, 2024Engine

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to respond with the engine revving. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was leaving a local dealer where NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) software update was completed. The contact returned to the dealer and was informed that the vehicle should be driven for a total of 600 miles before returning to have the vehicle diagnosed. The contact returned to the residence with the vehicle unrepaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact related the failure to the manufacture software update completed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The failure mileage was 92,476.

NHTSA ODI 11583625

Apr 13, 2024Engine

My vehicle started making a ticking noise and then after driving on the interstate it entered limp mode with the check engine, battery, steering wheel, and oil lights on. I have been up to date on all oil changes and the car is only at 95,000 miles. After taking it to a mechanic he said the issue it with the engine and it needs a full replacement. The car is available for inspection and the problem is very common with Kia’s similar to mine, there is even a recall for the same car the same year mine is just not included for some reason.

NHTSA ODI 11582818

Mar 4, 2024Engine

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal knocking sound emanating from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11575403

Mar 1, 2024Electrical systemBrakesEngine

Driving to school and the engine started acting weird and took to Good Year mechanic and I received the attached invoice. Kindly refer to the invoice.

NHTSA ODI 11574821

Feb 16, 2024Seat belts

Seatbelt comes undone I have to hold it or it will unbuckle randomly.

NHTSA ODI 11572286

Feb 16, 2024Steering

While turning the steering wheel will pop or click loudly. The issue is hard to control completely as the steering column vibrates. I have been told that I need the steering column coupler replaced. Consulted shops and they want $480 to replace a $10 plastic piece. This is a safety issue as you could loose control of steering.

NHTSA ODI 11572291

Feb 5, 2024Engine

I took my car to Kia Healy in Newburgh New York for a recall on knock sensor update and ever since my car is not working had to park it.

NHTSA ODI 11570007

Jan 30, 2024Steering

Steering wheel is clicking or catching when initiating a turn. Problem is with the steering coupler.

NHTSA ODI 11568849

Jan 22, 2024Engine

I has replaced 2 coil packs then the engine started clicking

NHTSA ODI 11567030

Jan 2, 2024Electrical systemEngine

Driving down the highway and check engine light came on and dropped the cars speed down to 30 mph and was stuck on the highway and I called the KIA dealership that I got the car from and they cleared the code on the car and claimed they fixed it just for the car to go back into limp mode and now I’m stuck without a car and the dealership doesn’t want to fix it

NHTSA ODI 11563070

Jan 2, 2024Engine

Engine clicking noticed . Then light came on. Mechanic fixed. Engine light came on coil needed to be replaced a week later. Clicking got louder took to dealer said Engine wasn't getting enough oil that there was none on dipstick (took photo as proof it had oil). No other explanations no other solutions other than replacing Engine. Engine seized up un able to upload estimate bc of website issues

NHTSA ODI 11563135

Dec 28, 2023Steering

Flex coupler went bad - $500 replacement. The Optima was already recalled for this same part. Please recall the Forte lines so that we can be reimbursed for this obvious Kia issue.

NHTSA ODI 11562387

Dec 22, 2023Engine

I was driving 65 mph and all of sudden the speed got lowered to 45 mph even I was pushing accelerator. Also I heard the engine knocking noise when I pushed accelerator hard. I had to stop and parked nearby church parking lot. I called a mechanic to diagnose, and he said the engine was broken and needed to be replaced with a new engine.

NHTSA ODI 11561593

Dec 18, 2023Steering

Clunking sound in steering column. Steering Coupler in Steering motor defect Has failed in my steering column. Dealer refuses to repair under other agreements.

NHTSA ODI 11560599

Dec 18, 2023Engine

Car died in reverse. Check engine light came on and turned off. Took to mechanic replaced spark plugs. Then 6 days later had another misfire replaced coils. At that a clicking noise was heard. Brought to kia dealership who said knocking come from engine but did not say what. Upon parking car completely died in drive. Engine failed.

NHTSA ODI 11560738

Nov 10, 2023SuspensionEngine

There is an unknown smell (kind of smells like Carbon Monoxide) when cranking up my car. There is this knocking noise that I continue to hear as if something is loose under my car, but when inspected, nothing was loose. It happens when I hit a bump or go over a hump in the road. The unknown smell scares me as this could be potentially hazardous to me and drivers around me. The knocking noise is terrifying making me feel as though my car is going to break down on me at any moment because of something that can’t be detected.

NHTSA ODI 11554578

Nov 9, 2023Engine

Just crunk it up and out the blue started knocking no warning no nothing

NHTSA ODI 11554414

Oct 24, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngine

My Kia Forte is from Puerto Rico, and I am currently having engine issues. The codes for the engine issues (and light) are P0014 and P0300. It can be inspected upon request. Kia America refuses to honor or attempt to look up the possible recalls for the engine, which is currently burning oil, and I've been advised that it's a safety hazard. I've been told that the engine is at risk of catching on fire, or exploding. This problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. I have not had to get my car inspected as I am originally from Texas, living in New York, and can update my registration via online as long as the car is inspected as soon as I return to Texas. I have spoken to Kia Puerto Rico and have been told that it's the job of Kia America to transfer the VIN number over so that it may be looked up in the warranty and recall system. The warning lamps first appeared in August. I'm the third owner of the vehicle, and was not made aware of the Puerto Rican VIN number prior to purchase, but Kia Puerto Rico insists that it IS Kia America's job to fix recall items.

NHTSA ODI 11551662

Oct 17, 2023Steering

My car was in for a recall repair on another item and the repair of the steering coupler part was noted to be needed. The parts personnel stated they informed me that the steering coupler was in need of repair and that I had declined this service. My vehicle did not have 100,000 miles on it yet. They in fact said nothing to me about this repair needed to be be done. It affect the steering of the vehicle and causes a lot of play in the car’s steering.

NHTSA ODI 11550427

Sep 30, 2023LightsBrakesFuel system

Break line, have to continue to fill break fluid, the smell of something burning when stopping or stopped , passenger right light keeps going out , continues need to be replaced

NHTSA ODI 11547448

Sep 25, 2023Electrical system

Electrical problems from the start when purchaed November 2016. Ghost electrical problems, affecting radio, gas guage, lights, and traction, Also tail lights leaked water in.

NHTSA ODI 11546446

Sep 3, 2023AirbagsCrash1 injury

Airbags failed to deploy after rear end collision.

NHTSA ODI 11542393

Sep 3, 2023Engine

Oil burn off prior to recommended oil change interval. Oil level was extremely low. Oil burn off has been increasing at progressive rates.

NHTSA ODI 11542394

Aug 31, 2023Engine

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure persisted and the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with dark, heavy scoring on the cylinder walls and the engine was replaced under warranty. Recently, the check engine warning light flashed on the instrument panel and the vehicle shifted into LIMP Mode. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The check engine warning light was cleared. The failure returned soon after leaving the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 48,374.

NHTSA ODI 11541886

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 437 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 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 verdict →