What 300 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Kia Forte Koup

The vehicle exhibits a chronic, systemic electrical failure characterized by the intermittent loss of critical lighting systems, including turn signals and brake lights. This failur5e has persisted over several years and thousands of miles, independent of battery replacements or specific usage patterns. The issue has been confirmed via multiple independent service interventions. Most notably, in February 2024, a third-party professional repair - which included the replacement of the Power Distribution Unit (Central Fuse Box) was performed to address these electrical faults. Despite this professional intervention, the defect recurred in May 2026. The failure of the turn signals and brake lights while in traffic resulted in a Law Enforcement stop and the issuance of a citation. Prior to total failure, the vehicle often displays erratic engine performance, including sputtering and hesitation. These symptoms were identified early in the Vehicle's history, but inquiries regarding recall campaigns for similar Makes and Models were denied by Authorized Dealerships, who cited recall registry despite exhibiting identical Mechanical and Electrical failure modes. The failure of the brake lights and turn signals poses a severe and immediate safety risk to myself, my passengers, other motorists and those on the road...as it creates an unpredictable environment were emergency stopping and lane changes cannot be communicated to the surrounding traffic. The electrical architecture of this vehicle is fundamentally flawed, as evidenced by the recurring nature of the defect despite multiple repair attempts, including the replacement of the primary fuse distribution center. The vehicle, all service records. third-party repair receipt, and relevant law enforcement citation are available for inspection upon request to support this report. The recurring loss of safety-critical signaling systems represents a systemic design defect rather than isolated wear & tear.

NHTSA ODI 11745123

The headlights and dashboard lose power intermittently while driving at highway speeds, specifically triggered by using the turn signal. This is ongoing since January when I started having to take it for a recalls.More things kept happening. I kept having to have more repairs. Every time I went, I told them about this and it just keeps going on. Today I took a huge list of things they should check to see why it’s doing this. This is the following list that I gave them -2017 Kia Forte - Service Request: •Issue: Headlights/dash icons flicker specifically when using turn signals. •Issue: Average MPG keeps resetting (Computer Brownout). •Mandatory Checks: 1Multi-Function Switch (internal short). 2Manual Voltage Drop Test on the G01 Ground Point. 3Alternator Ripple Test (check for "dirty" power). Last night on my way home from my daughter’s house which is a 50 minute drive, it was in the dark pouring rain and no longer than I had got started going home, I used the turn signal and my lights flickered a little which that’s what they’ve done before. Then the icon inside the car for headlights flashed on and off, lights inside got very dim and then my headlights got so dim that I had to follow other cars that had LED headlights down an interstate at 65 mph or less safely just to get to my exit to get home for over 45 minutes. I have mentioned this to them repeatedly, but I gave this list to them this morning. I called a little bit ago just to check on things and I was told “well we’ve been driving it for over an hour and we can’t seem to get it to act up”. I said are you not going to do the things that I stated and actually physically touch and look and not just sticking it on a computer. He rudely asked- what are you talking about? It’s all computer. That’s what we do.I’ve had to deal with this since pretty much the middle of January 2026. We are now here at May 7 and it got at its worst last night and horrified me and my safety.When I have car will upload docs

NHTSA ODI 11736367

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the catalytic converter was clogged. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under a class-action lawsuit extended warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ODI 11627436

The speedometer does not work. The car will not accelerate. I always have belt problems.

NHTSA ODI 11565938

I've had it looked at by a Kia dealership and they said I let it run out of oil and burned up my engine. My ASC warranty won't cover it. I had no idea. I've got proof from Valvoline where I always get my oil changes and proves I did it regularly. I had no oil leak signs on the pavement. Your recall #SC210 which I just found out about talks about exactly what happened to me. I really don't think it was my fault and it should be covered. I had no indication that something was wrong till this happened. I've had no problems since I bought the car in November 2021till now.

NHTSA ODI 11506137

I got this car in January, it's only October and my speed doesn't accelerate. When I step on the gas pedal there is a huge kick and my RPM goes from under one to 4 or 5 to get to 20mph. I noticed that I could change the drive to D1 and D2 but when driving and going over 30mph my car is in D6. I have yet to find a solution. No warning lights have come on yet but I don't want it to get to that point before having the car for a year.

NHTSA ODI 11435366

I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. MY VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE SO I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP AND MY VEHICLE STOPPED, THANKFULLY I DID NOTHING HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I DROVE FORWARD AND MY ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON; AFTER NO MORE THAN 30 SECONDS, THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. ALL HAS BEEN FINE SINCE, HOWEVER I LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM AND APPARENTLY KIA HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH CARS LUNGING FORWARD AND CAUSING MAJOR ACCIDENTS. I HONESTLY AM TERRIFIED FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME.

NHTSA ODI 11390714

I TOOKEN MY 2017 KIA FORTE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP COUNTLESS OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND STILL WITH NO AVAIL. AS I'M DRIVING THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS SHAKING THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON THEN THE CAR EITHER SHUTS OFF ON ITS OWN THEN GOT TO WAIT IT OUT FOR IT TO START. IF I GO TO TURN ON THE AC THE CAR ALSO SHUTS OFF. I'VE ALMOST GOTTEN HIT DUE TO THE CAR UN RELIABILITY.

NHTSA ODI 11350053

ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO AGO WHILE GOING UP A HILL I NOTICED THE CAR TRYING TO STALL OUT. IT HAS BEGUN TO DO MORE FREQUENTLY NOW WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE IN IDLE AND/OR PARK ALSO. YOU CANNOT HEAR THE CAR 'KNOCK' BUT IT'S AS IF YOU CAN FEEL IT TRYING TOO. ONE INSTANCE I WAS IN A TURNING LANE AND THE CAR LITERARILY TRIED TO CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE RPM'S DROPPED AND CAR JUST FELT REAL SHAKY AND JUMPY. TOTAL EPISODES APPROXIMATELY IN ABOUT 2 WEEEKS I WOULD SAY ARE CLOSE TO MAYBE 10? THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME IN AT FIRST INSTANCE WHEN I WAS GOING UP A HILL AND HAS NEVER GONE OFF. BUT THE PROBLE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED BUT SEEMS TO HAVE GOTTEN WORSE.

NHTSA ODI 11349731

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL INCIDENCE OF BEING "LOCKED" AT ONE SPEED. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE GAS THE CAR WILL SPEED UP UNTIL REACHING 30-35MPH AND WILL NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE GAS PEDAL COULD BE TOUCHING THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST 35MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED AT OUR LOCAL KIA DEALER IN THE EARLY FALL OF 2019. IT WAS SAID TO BE REPAIRED NOW LESS THAN 6 MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS SOMETIMES ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI 11302455

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN MY CAR LOST POWER. I TRIED GIVING IT GAS AND IT JUST WOULD SPUTTER, STILL BARELY MOVING. I HAD PEOPLE ALMOST HITTING ME. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AND I JUST HAD BOUGHT IT 60 SOMETHING DAYS AGO. THE CAR WILL JUST LOOSE POWER NO MATTER HOW FAST YOU GOING. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11282532

CAR WILL RANDOMLY HESITATE AND SHAKE WITH POWERLOSS MAYBE ONCE EVERY FEW DAYS. THIS WILL HAPPEN WHEN COMING TO A STOP THEN ACCELERATING AGAIN AFTER DRIVING FOR 30 MINUTES OR SO .CEL WILL EITHER NOT DISPLAY OR BLINK A FEW TIMES BUT GO AWAY (AND NOT SHOW UP ON THE HISTORY) MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DIAGNOSE. TOOK IT TO 2 KIA DEALERS, BOTH SAID THAT THEY'VE SEEN THIS ON A LOT KIA FORTES., THEY HAVE MADE THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS BUT STILL HAVE THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11230560

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE OR SWITCH GEARS, THE ENGINE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAR PROS KIA RENTON (425-204-6600, LOCATED AT 200 SW GRADY WAY, RENTON, WA 98057) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHUCK OLSON KIA (206-219-4040, LOCATED AT 17001 AURORA AVE N, SEATTLE, WA 98133) WHERE IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT CALLED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WHERE AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO MEDIATE BETWEEN THE CONTACT AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE LATTER DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ODI 11222210

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUNTSVILLE KIA (6519 UNIVERSITY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35806 (256) 217-1700) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND A NEW ENGINE SPRING AND IGNITION CORD NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11207243

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR PEDALS, THEIR FOOT WAS BLOCKED BY SOME KIND OF PARTITION ON THE FLOOR. THE PARTITION WAS LOCATED BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM BRAKING OR ACCELERATING IN A TIMELY MANOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTO EXPRESS KIA (10320 WATTSBURG RD, ERIE, PA 16509, (814) 825-4747), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,600. *TT CONSUMER STATED YOU AGENT COULD NOT HAVE TAKEN MY REPORT ANY MORE INCORRECT. THE PROBLEM AND DANGER IS ABOVE THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS. WHEN CHANGING FROM GAS TO BRAKES MY FOOT (TOES) IS COMING IN CONTACT WITH AN AIR BAFFLE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS GANG FROM GAS TO BREAKS. THIS NEEDS LOOKED INTO BY YOUR AGENCY AND CORRECTED. UPDATED 10/19/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11121649

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. KIA OF ORANGE (210 WEST KATELLA AVENUE, ORANGE, CA 92867) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,200.

NHTSA ODI 11098972

I HAVE HAD MY 2017 KIA FORTE FOR 3 MONTHS AND IN THE VEEY BEGINNING IT DROVE FINE. RECENTLY THE CAR HAS BECOME VERY SLUGGISH AND BECAME INCREASINGLY HARD TO ACCELERATE. I NOTICED IT BUT BRUSHED IT OFF. THIS PAST WEEKEND I LET SOMEONE DRIVE MY CAR AND THEY COMPLAINED ABOUT HOW HARD IT WAS TO ACCELERATE. THAT'S WHEN I KNEW THAT IT WASN'T JUST ME. TODAY, AS I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE AN UNPROTECTED LEFT TURN THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND I WAS CAUGHT IN THE INTERSECTION LONGER THAN I NEEDED TO BE. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT COULD HAVE ENDED BADLY. I THINK THIS PROBLEM NEEDS LOOKING INTO. I SHOULD NOT BE HOLDING UP TRAFFIC BECAUSE MY CAR DOESN'T ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD WHEN I AM FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 10969201