What 258 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Forte Koup

While driving car will shut off.

NHTSA ODI 11650509

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving uphill at approximately 50-55 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power and made an abnormal knocking sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was restarted. The mechanic diagnosed that the engine was damaged due to rod bearing failure, and metal shavings were found in the engine. The mechanic informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) and related the failure to the recall. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the recall repair could not be performed because the engine had already failed; however, the contact stated that the recall repair involved the replacement of the engine assembly as necessary. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 149,061. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11648327

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter and spark plugs were faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the parts were replaced; however, soon after the repairs, while her husband was driving 40 MPH, the transmission started slipping and failed to shift properly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact’s husband was able to drive the vehicle to the residence and then the vehicle was towed to the same dealer for a second diagnostic test. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.

NHTSA ODI 11647908

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormally loud rattling sound. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed an undisclosed speed and later became undrivable. Additionally, the contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated while there was sufficient oil in the engine. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine), which the contact related to the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update was performed; however, the failure persisted. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle back after the manufacturer had approved the request for the engine replacement. The vehicle was driven to the residence; however, the failure worsened while driving. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the recall was marked completed. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,330.

NHTSA ODI 11645928

At 85,400 miles just outside of warranty the engine began knocking and the Kia Dealer is saying that the motor is in bearing failure and the engine needs to be replaced. Kia is doing nothing.

NHTSA ODI 11644169

My car stopped while I was driving and I had a catastrophic engine failure. I had to use my engine warranty and also out of pocket pay. I want to issue a warning to the dealer who sold me this vehicle. And I want a reimbursement because I recently purchased the vehicle/

NHTSA ODI 11633215

Engine issues constantly

NHTSA ODI 11631986

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of failure. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11627660

At 60,000 miles the engine began knocking and recently the engine blew through the bottom and cracked.

NHTSA ODI 11626894

While driving on interstate 81 my transmission went out while going up a hill. I was almost rear ended by the driver behind me and while trying to get into the right lane I almost side swiped someone. This is the third time something has gone out on this car while I was driving. First the engine went out and when I contacted Kia and told them that my engine went out because of the same problem that their other cars have, they told me that there was nothing they could do. So I replaced it with my own money. A few months later the transmission goes while I'm driving. Almost causing an accident once again. Because Kia told me there was nothing they could do with my engine, I didn't even bother to call about the transmission. Once again, I replaced it with my own money. Now the same problem with the transmission has happened again and I can't put another transmission in this car. I still owe $8,500 on my loan and my car is basically a paper weight. I have made a complaint to you guys every time and nothing is being done about this. Every other Kia Forte's engine has been recalled except for mine. Something is going on with Kia cars and parts and it's leaving people in a really crappy position. I owe money on a car that I cannot drive. All because I bought a Kia. This situation is getting absolutely ridiculous. Someone needs to do something about this. It's not right that a company can have such an unreliable car and leave people in these types of situations. I have no other options here. There's nothing I can do. I hope you are the right organization to contact about this. I am done putting money into a car that is a death trap and a hazard to drive. If I do end up fixing the transmission and this happens again, I'm worried that the outcome is going to be worse. I've almost been in two accidents because of this faulty equipment. Hopefully someone does something before there's a third.

NHTSA ODI 11622377

The engine lost pressure while being driven on the interstate. My daughter was able to pull over and then the car began to smoke. She and a passenger immediately exited the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the nearest shop and was diagnosed with engine failure. My daughter indicated that no check engine light illuminated nor did the temperature gauge note that the vehicle was overheating, but it just began to lose pressure even when she tried to accelerate. I was researching cost to have the engine replaced and came across other Forte owner's testimony that they have had engine problems as well, but the Forte was not listed under the Kia recall for engine issues. But perhaps, it should be.

NHTSA ODI 11621961

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the engine was making an abnormal sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 119,597. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11613465

Vechile was parked & an attempted theft took place at 4am. It happened due to No immobilizer & No security system at all!

NHTSA ODI 11605775

Engine malfunctioned while driving vehicle on busy street. There were no engine lights on prior to malfunction. Oil change and routine maintenance was completed. Unknown if problem is reproduced, just word of mouth that other Kia have had problems with engines. No inspections completed.

NHTSA ODI 11601808

I have already filled out one of these forms a couple of years ago. It is absolutely ridiculous that every 2011-2015 Kia Forte engine has been recalled, but mine has not. My engine completely blew up a few years ago. It has the exact same problem all these other engines have. I called Kia and asked them to help me replace it bc the issue is exactly the same and they refused. A con-rod warped and then broke and it shot through the bottom of my engine. The rod could have shot back into the inside of the car. God forbid my daughter would be in my car and that happens. I had to replace the engine and the turbo which isn’t cheap at all. Then because of the strain of all of that, it made my transmission go out which has now been replaced. All of these other engines have the exact same problem. It’s the same problem as the 2.0L, but I guess because mine is a 1.6L and it’s a manual transmission, mine hasn’t been recalled yet? The only reason I’m making another report is because my check engine light is on, AGAIN, and the new engine in my car is starting to experience the exact same issues as my last one. Literally every other type of Kia Forte engine has been recalled except for my. I would like a recalled to be issued and a refund of the money I have sunk into this car. I can’t sell it because I owe too much on it, so the only option is to fix it. At this point I have put more than double the amount of money into this car than it’s even worth. Something needs to be done here. I’m really not trying to wait around until it blows up again and I have to replace another engine. I know I’m just one person, but there has to be other complaints like this.

NHTSA ODI 11597709

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the brakes failed to respond while the brake pedal was being depressed. The contact was able to come to a stop by engaging the parking brake. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,334.

NHTSA ODI 11597268

On approximately, 04/15/2024, 8:00 am, My 2015 Kia Forte with less 115,000 miles suddenly shut down going 65 MPH! A severe accident was avoided by manhandling the steering wheel to get it to the side of the road. When I called the Kia's Consumer Affair, to report the incident, I was told there was no recall on the motor so they were not labile. I am very frustrated, upset and stressed that Kia's doesn't care about it reputation.

NHTSA ODI 11591009

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle did not accelerate as intended. In addition, the RPMs were elevated extremely high. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, the contact was informed that the repair would not be covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). In addition, the contact was informed that the recall notification had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11586757

Purchased the car certified preowned from a Kia dealer with 45,000 miles on it, meaning I would have the the remaining 55,000 miles of the 100,000 mile powertrain coverage. At 77,000 miles a small ticking noise started on the way to work and became a knock on the way home. I pulled over where it was safe and towed it to the dealer. They replaced the engine under warranty. Now at 154,000 everything has been running great except for burning oil rather quickly. Where I get my oil changes done offers free top-offs so I would return frequently to make certain the oil level was always in the safe zone. Driving home from work one night, I was on a busy freeway when suddenly and without warning a small squeak noise came from the engine and it stalled. Luckily I just happened to be in the right lane and there happened to be a narrow but safe shoulder to coast over to. Had this happened while I was close to the fast lane, the consequences could’ve been dire. The engine would not hardly turn over and would not start. I had it towed to my mechanic who said it sounds like a serious engine problem and you should contact the dealer. I towed it to the local Kia dealership where the service department informed me that there was an extended 50,000 mile warranty added to the original 100,000 warranty (which I was never notified about) but since I was 4,000 miles over I did not qualify. This means the replacement engine quit after 77,000 miles just like the original. I feel that they should in good faith honor the warranty - had I been informed I could brought the car in just 4,000 miles earlier and they would’ve checked the compression and determined that the rings were failing which is why it used so much oil, and they would’ve replaced this second engine under warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11584354

Full engine failure at around 110,000 miles. Metal shavings in oil. Car stalls suddenly when driving. Unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11583983

Over the last 5 years that I have owned the vehicle, the engine will stall when idle or at low speeds. This has happened at stop lights, on hills and while on the highway (which is obviously very dangerous). The engine the vehicle has to be turned off and restarted and usually it will stall again within a few minutes. For the most part, this happens after the vehicle has been driven for at least 15-20 minutes and there are few issues at higher speeds. As such, when taken to the dealer, they have been unable to replicate the issue. The issue is sometimes resolved after an oil change, however it may recur before the next oil change is due (ie within 3 months). The vehicle has otherwise had it's recommended service Many internet searches note many vehicles of my model and many other Kia's with the exact same issue

NHTSA ODI 11581686

engine seized at the light. i was stuck in the middle of a 6 lane road located in greenville midnight. engine can cause a fire and burn up while i’m inside. the problem was confirmed by a test machine by the mechanic “Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1)” no warning lights at all! … the traffic light was red and once it turned green i let off the brake and then it shut off

NHTSA ODI 11579184

When driving it suddenly won't pull a hill. It will slow down to 20-30 mph even on an interstate. I've had it in the shop several time and they can't find anything wrong. It did it again and I took it in and the mechanic told me there was a recall on the computer system but I can't find it. If there's a recall please let me know at [XXX] . Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11566671

Engine shuts off while driving

NHTSA ODI 11564717

I purchased a 2015 Kia Forte5 car (Pearl White) used but I noticed the paint peeling. It seems to be getting worse because the same spot is getting bigger and now a new spot on the top has appeared. I took the car to a body shop and was told it was a factory paint defect. I went online and saw that Kia and Hyundai had a factory issue with the pearl white paint for several years around my car year model. I was wondering if the paint chipping can be fixed or me compensated for the repairs. The damage is on the rear hatch and passenger side top of car next to sunroof. One is about a quarter size and the other a little smaller than a dime. Thanks in advance, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11556915