What 437 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Forte

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

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

There was a car accident car was totaled my wife was stuck in the seat the seat belt broke would not unlatch they had to cut her out. There not supposed to break. What if the car cought fire?

NHTSA ODI 11439306

The driver side seatbelt keeps unbuckling, this is after checking to make sure it is fastened completely, I have to keep checking the belt throughout the driving period to ensure it is latched. What if all my belts do this, and when my kids are in the car and if a wreck occurs and they fail to protect us? There were multiple incidents when it came unclipped was when I was doing 15mph and up to 60mph.

NHTSA ODI 11438842

The issue had not been resolved, and I am reading countless of reports stating that Kia is picking and choosing who they will help, this is absolutely BS., that NHTSA will not even help with getting Kia to honor their recalls.

NHTSA ODI 11438846

Oil Consumption. Having to put about 3 quarts of oil in before the next recommended oil change. Have been doing that for the last 6+ months.

NHTSA ODI 11438635

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, knocking noises were heard and the vehicle was consuming excessive amounts of engine oil after she checked the oil level. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer performed an engine and oil consumption test. The vehicle passed the engine test but failed the oil consumption test. The dealer updated the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software. The dealer informed the contact to bring the vehicle back after 1,000 miles for the oil consumption test. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer after driving the vehicle for 1,000 miles and the vehicle failed the oil consumption test. The dealer informed the contact that they would not perform another oil consumption test and the engine would not be replaced since the vehicle had passed the engine test prior and they only replaced seized engines. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would contact the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ODI 11438643

I purchased a 2014 Kia Forte on August 24, 2013. On August 26, 2021 I reported an electrical fire in the trunk of my car to the dealership. I was told not to drive the car but to tow it. My car was towed home because the dealership was closed by the time the tow truck arrived. The insurance company totaled the vehicle. I would still have my vehicle if this electrical fire had not occurred. The dealership stands on they sell and maintain the cars only. They performed the regular maintenance on the vehicle. They never noted any electrical issues. After 3 weeks they also said the car was totaled. They referred me to the makers in California. They had not reported the fire to them. After 2 months of going back and forth , Kia corporate determined they can not find what caused the electrical fire. Therefore they are not responsible. It was not declared arson. My car caught fire in the parking lot where I work in southern Louisiana while I was in northern Mississippi on the job. The car was locked and both keys were with me. The wires, the trunk door, the cloth covering over the top of the trunk, and back window burned. Some water bottles, sprite bottles and the empty bag of cat food they were placed on the day before burned. The plastic binders, the bottom of the trunk, and the spare tire space did not burn. It is clear the car had a defect. The fire could have reached the gas tank and caused an explosion. The wires burned causing the fire. The car set itself on fire. Even though the car is under the 10 year, 100,000 mile Waranty. They will not acknowledge the defect, the warranty, or responsibility. I was told by the Kia representative of my claim that they determined the light bulb did not cause the fire so there is nothing they can do. They could not determine what did cause the fire. They said they are not responsible. I believe they knowingly sold vehicles that would catch fire to a clueless public and did nothing to fix the electrical defects.

NHTSA ODI 11437958

My 2.0L GDI engine developed a clacking sound and I have been told I need a new engine. It seems to be the same issue as the other Kia models with this same engine that have had their engines recalled. Yet Kia does not include the Forte in the recall, even though it is the same engine.

NHTSA ODI 11437986

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who reset the air bag warning light; however, the warning light immediately returned. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the VIN. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ODI 11436791

UNKNOWN My 2014 Kia Forte Ex has been having randon acceleration problems. I just bought it from an O'Brien dealership a couple months ago. It has also caused the breaks to not want to work. I was in an accident due to this and crashed into the car in front of me pretty hard. My infant and boyfriend were in the car. I noticed the cruise control turned itself on right before the crash and I was trying to turn it off. The damage luckily wasnt that bad. But the car keeps driving itself and the brakes not working. This happens almost every time I turn the car on now. The break pads are still brand new, as I and my dad have checked them. I have tried contacting the dealership about it but they haven't got back. This car is unsafe and I will not continue to drive it. There are no warning lights or messages popping up.

NHTSA ODI 11436406

Driving down a country road at night when my abs light came on. After a few seconds my power steering went out and the main console died. The headlights began to dim and the dashboard lights sputtered on and off. The car shuttered strongly and then died. We were stuck on the side of the road in the middle of the night for over forty five minutes with a screaming infant with no warning that this was going to happen or that this part needed to be serviced or replaced for the milage of my car (90,000).

NHTSA ODI 11435800

Airbag light stays on all the time. Brake lights constantly burning out breaking system system will skidvover grates at bumps. Car will scrape over roads. All steering wheel functions not working

NHTSA ODI 11434262

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle there was an exhaust odor present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle would lose power and did not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the catalytic convertor however, six months later the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. After replacing the catalytic convertor for the second time the failure recurred approximately six months later. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,506.

NHTSA ODI 11433013

Car started over heating, took it to the shop and my engine coolant resistor was melting, they replaced the part and it is starting to melt again and my car is starting to over heat

NHTSA ODI 11431634

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving approximately 80 MPH, the vehicle was shaking violently and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V750000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who stated that the parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11431538

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

unknown

NHTSA ODI 11428857

I started trying in 2015 or 2016 to have my engine replaced and compensated for the purchase of both engines for the two Kia's I bought brand new when the engines went out on both of the cars weeks apart. Please can anyone help me with this situation, as I am at my wits end to be compensated for something that should have been taken care of the first time I reported their engines going out on two cars bought the very same day. Also on the Kia ending in VIN # 9225, it sat at the dealership for almost two years before I could even afford to have the motor replaced for it and the other one a little later. At the very least that can be verified, that I was paying on cars that weren't even running and just sitting until I could afford to replace the motors. I was on my way home from work when the engine light came on and the car started to just not want to move anymore. I barely made it home and eventually took it to Kia and was told the engine went out. I can only give an approximate date from the email of when I inquired about the motors later on when I could afford to have them replaced. I will have to get a copy of the receipt for the motor replacement of one of the Kia's from my daughter. I was told to contact Kia to verify the motors were replaced, but they wanted to charge me and I can't afford the amount for either of the cars to verify engine replacement on the cars. The repair shop that replaced the motors is no longer in business and the phone numbers are no longer associated with the business even though they still show as being open. I have emailed and contacted the information on the business's site, but no response at all. Please can someone help me with Kia in assisting with this matter as it should have been taken care of the very first time I called to report to the issue. Thank you for any assistance you can give me.

NHTSA ODI 11426070

I started trying in 2015 or 2016 to have my engine replaced and compensated for the purchase of both engines for the two Kia's I bought brand new when the engines went out on both of the cars weeks apart. Please can anyone help me with this situation, as I am at my wits end to be compensated for something that should have been taken care of the first time I reported their engines going out on two cars bought the very same day. Also on the Kia ending in VIN # 9225, it sat at the dealership for almost two years before I could even afford to have the motor replaced for it and the other one a little later. At the very least that can be verified, that I was paying on cars that weren't even running and just sitting until I could afford to replace the motors. I was on my way home from work when the engine light came on and the car started to just not want to move anymore. I barely made it home and eventually took it to Kia and was told the engine went out. I can only give an approximate date from the email of when I inquired about the motors later on when I could afford to have them replaced. I will have to get a copy of the receipt for the motor replacement of one of the Kia's from my daughter. I was told to contact Kia to verify the motors were replaced, but they wanted to charge me and I can't afford the amount for either of the cars to verify engine replacement on the cars. The repair shop that replaced the motors is no longer in business and the phone numbers are no longer associated with the business even though they still show as being open. I have emailed and contacted the information on the business's site, but no response at all. Please can someone help me with Kia in assisting with this matter as it should have been taken care of the very first time I called to report to the issue. Thank you for any assistance you can give me

NHTSA ODI 11426071

2014 Kia Forte 1.8l steering is very hard or stiff to rotate especially from right to left when driving at more than 20 mph rendering lane change on roads and expressways very dangerous, and simply maneuvering steering very difficult. It feels like steering is jamming or being stuck. Besides hear a click sound from the steering even when car is stationary. Started experiencing hard steering problem at the end of June 2021.

NHTSA ODI 11425647

The vehicle has spun a rod bearing of the internal engine. It is available for inspection upon request. Engine damage puts driver, passengers and all bystanders at extreme risk. Dealer has confirmed rod knock. Other automotive shop diagnosed spun rod bearing. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. The check engine light came on immediately before failure.

NHTSA ODI 11425687

Motor locked up after getting recalls done and Kia is saying no recall on motor

NHTSA ODI 11425006

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was oil leaking onto the catalytic converter. The contact stated while driving the vehicle failed to accelerate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the local dealer. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the engine and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11425024

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil while driving at various speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had the vehicle taken to an independent mechanic where she discovered that the vehicle had a defective O2 sensor. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving 40 mph, the vehicle began to stall upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact pulled the vehicle into a parking lot and called her husband for assistance. The contact's husband attempted to jump-start the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact then purchased a new battery however, the failure persisted. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where they diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked her failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) however, her vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11424087