Home · 2024 Kia Forte · Complaints

What 22 owners told NHTSA about the 2024 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 (22)Crash / fire / injury (5)Airbags (5)Electrical system (5)Engine (5)Transmission & drivetrain (3)Lane Departure (2)Lights (2)Body & structure (1)Brakes (1)Driver assistance (1)Fuel system (1)

Newest first · 22 complaints

Jun 16, 2026Engine

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated and the "all cylinders misfiring" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was bad fuel in the tank that needed to be drained. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was diesel in the tank. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted; the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed the vehicle loss automotive power while the accelerator pedal was depressed. A dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

NHTSA ODI 11744432

Apr 14, 2026Engine

My car would not go when i gave it gas on a major highway with mu 3 children in the back seat. We almost got into a wreck.

NHTSA ODI 11731156

Apr 10, 2026Suspension

Suspension noise over bumps

NHTSA ODI 11730346

Mar 8, 2026Electrical systemAirbagsBrakes

Exposed electric wires, airbag system failure codes, breaks non resistance in functional limitation of human safety. Voltage malfunction involves hazardous crash impact results

NHTSA ODI 11722834

Feb 26, 2026Crash

My car suddenly accelerated while I was pulling into my canopy carport causing me to crash into an old basketball goal and then the wall of my cottage. When this happened I was slowly pulling in to park when the car suddenly accelerated on its own and kept moving forward despite me pressing the brake. The RPM gauge continued to rev after the impact and the only way that I was able to make it stop was by putting the car into park and pushing the button to turn the car off. No warning lights illuminated on my dash. I have video of the incident from my security camera in my backyard.

NHTSA ODI 11720595

Feb 26, 2026Electrical systemAirbagsVisibility & wipers

Dealership refused to fix my safety system unint failure alont with proof of voltage malfunction

NHTSA ODI 11720720

Feb 25, 2026Electrical systemLightsAirbags

AIRBAG SYSTEM UNIT, AIRBAG SENSOR, VOLTAGE CRONIC MALFUNCTIONING POWER SUPPLY

NHTSA ODI 11720535

Nov 5, 2025Engine

Please see attachment:

NHTSA ODI 11697564

Oct 2, 2025

I purchased this brand new in 2024 and about 5 months ago it started to just loose power. It almost caused me to be hit several times and the car just won’t go it looses all power and you can press the gas and it won’t go but eventually will start going again. It’s very dangerous luckily I haven’t had a wreck with me and my Infant in the car and I’ve been able to move out of the way of others.

NHTSA ODI 11691108

Sep 27, 2025Electrical systemEngine

The car shuts down on my wife multiple times now more than 10 to 15 times and most of the time it’s on the freeway few times she’s had my teenage son with her and I have three videos that I have sent to Kia but they’re refusing to move with buying the car back, saying because the dealership cannot duplicate the problem And the dealership drives the car 10 to 20 miles. I’ve stated to the dealership and to Kia factory that this car has to be driven every day like my wife who drives it so they can discover the problem they’re not going to be able to discover the problem or just drive and get 10 to 20 miles once or twice Last time I was found on my wife to take the car to the dealership on the freeway and it shut down on her on [XXX] right before the junction of [XXX] and I also have a video of that if I’m able to download it. I’ll download it for you guys. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11690050

Sep 22, 2025Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

While the vehicle was approximately ten months old with approximately 11K miles, it was continuously not functioning properly and would not start/accelerate. My 2024 KIA Forte, which was purchased new from a KIA dealership, has continuously failed to function properly. It had a water pump replaced after failing to be operated for more than a week and has since continued to fail - this time for not starting at all, not accelerating properly, and losing all power while driving (switching off completely) on at least two separate occasions. The dealership stated that I should drive the vehicle and document it when it occurs again (video) to assist them with identifying the issue since they are unable to correct the malfunction. It has been at the dealership for more than a month with no definitive resolution concerning the safety of the vehicle. I refuse to drive the vehicle and am afraid that I may injured/killed in an accident due to the safety concerns aforementioned. As of today's date, 09/22/2025, my 2024 KIA Forte remains at the KIA dealership with no foreseeable actions that may lead to a safe resolution. Further: 1) Component or system failed/malfunctioned - Engine, fuel pump, water pump. 2) Is it available for inspection - Yes. 3) How was your safety or that of others put at risk - Vehicle switched off multiple times while operating in traffic and barely escaping accidents. Suffered a scrape on the passenger's door as vehicle would not accelerate and stalled in a separate incident. 4) Vehicle or component been inspected by manufacturer - Yes, at the KIA dealership again. 5) Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure - No, there were no prior warning lamps, messages, or symptoms. KIA dealership stated that the 2024 KIA Forte has been "reprogrammed", but the dealership has been unable to identify the safety issues it has. I do not feel safe to operate this vehicle nor have any family members operate it.

NHTSA ODI 11688947

Sep 13, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

Car has been in several times for repair clutch assembly clutch plate, flywheel transmission, and the problem continues with shifting it does not want to go into gear it grinds even with the clutch fully to the floor. It will not go into first gear, not going to reverse intermittently and sometimes it will go from 1st to 5th third gear is missing sometimes first gear is missing this can happen at any given time shifting putting it into reverse sometimes it will not go into gear. It will just grind gears or taking off from a dead stop. It will not go into first gear. It will automatically go into third gear even though you’re putting it over and trying to put it into first gear, it will not engage in first gear. It will go to third gear and if you try to put it in a different gear, it will grind. Kia is aware of the issue with my vehicle and another vehicle that is experiencing the same problems and is unable to fix them this is an ongoing intermittent issue

NHTSA ODI 11687028

Sep 3, 2025Transmission & drivetrainLane DepartureCrash

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Forte GT. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH on an off-ramp and making a right turn, the lane assist feature had malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to steer and crash into the guard rail. During the incident, the passenger side of the vehicle was damaged along with the guard rail. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was driven away. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Previously, while driving, the vehicle had experienced transmission failures, causing the vehicle to jerk and shudder while attempting to accelerate. The RMPS failed to increase over 1.5 and failed to accelerate during normal mode however, in sports mode, the vehicle performed normally. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 14,000.

NHTSA ODI 11684783

Aug 4, 2025

Police report filed after the vehicle was attempted to be stolen. 3 suspects were found in the car preparing to drive off with the car using the USB method as the cord was on the floor and it is not mine amd suspects were found in the car with it running and begining to move the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11678218

Jul 6, 2025AirbagsSeat beltsCrash1 injury

Date of Incident: [XXX] Location: [XXX] To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this letter to report a potential airbag malfunction involving my 2024 Kia Forte GT. On [XXX], I was the driver and sole occupant of my vehicle when I was T-boned on the driver’s side while traveling [XXX] on [XXX] at the intersection of [XXX] . The collision was severe enough to spin my vehicle and resulted in significant damage to the driver-side door and frame. Despite the force and nature of the crash, none of the airbags in my vehicle deployed—including side airbags that should have been triggered by the impact. I was later diagnosed with a concussion and sustained other physical and emotional injuries from the crash. As of the date of this complaint, the vehicle has not been repaired, and I have photos documenting the damage. Given the potential risk to other drivers who may experience similar failures, I am requesting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review this vehicle for airbag deployment defects. I am willing to provide photos, medical records, and further details as needed. Also, the seatbelts sometime freeze when pulling them out to get secured in the car, you have to release and then pull again to gain full access to the seat belt. There is a police report done on this matter but I do not have access to it yet because it has yet to be approved by the LRPD sergeant. We checked on July 5th, 2025. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11671432

Mar 22, 2025

2 MONTHS AFTER I BIUGHT CAR, ENGINE LIGHT CAME OFF..AND WILL ONLY BE OFF IF I WOUL RELEASE GAS CAP SEVERL TIMES ETC..IN FEB 2025 THE DEALER SAID ITS 02 SENSOR I HAD IT REPLACED, 2 WEEKS LATER ITS EXACLY SAME..I HAVE READ THE CODEA AND CATALITIC CONVERTER AND EMISSION EXHAUST AND 02 SENSOR ALL FAILES..I NEED A NEW REPLACEMENT CAR, AS THIS IS A LEMON CAR..BIUGHT OIN JULY 2024 ..ALSO THEY MADE EMISSION TESTS /WINDOW STICKER FOR 2 YEARS???? BC TEHY PROBAB;Y NEW IT HAS ISSUES??? IT IS ALL VERY WEIRD

NHTSA ODI 11649847

Mar 22, 2025

2 MONTHS AFTER I BIUGHT CAR, ENGINE LIGHT CAME OFF..AND WILL ONLY BE OFF IF I WOUL RELEASE GAS CAP SEVERL TIMES ETC..IN FEB 2025 THE DEALER SAID ITS 02 SENSOR I HAD IT REPLACED, 2 WEEKS LATER ITS EXACLY SAME..I HAVE READ THE CODEA AND CATALITIC CONVERTER AND EMISSION EXHAUST AND 02 SENSOR ALL FAILES..I NEED A NEW REPLACEMENT CAR, AS THIS IS A LEMON CAR..BIUGHT OIN JULY 2024 ..ALSO THEY MADE EMISSION TESTS /WINDOW STICKER FOR 2 YEARS???? BC TEHY PROBAB;Y NEW IT HAS ISSUES??? IT IS ALL VERY WEIRD

NHTSA ODI 11649849

Nov 19, 2024Electrical systemLights

Headlights shut off while driving at night. The right turn signal was on and was in a right hand turn when the car hit a small dip. There was the sound that you hear when you turn on the key when the car hit the dip and the healights went off. After pulling off the road and turning on the hazard lights, tried turning the headlights off then back on several times. The parking lights seem to come on then went off. Noticed that the information screen reset and was at the setup screen. Turned the car off then restarted the car and the headlights turned on. On the freeway the tone you hear when you turn on the key sounded several times as the car went over the bumps at the overpasses where the road is subsiding. This is a rental car. No police report made. No information if problem occurred previously or if rental company had problem looked into. Problem occurred 11/16/2024

NHTSA ODI 11626195

Oct 6, 2024

There is grinding in the gears when pressing on the gas as well as down shifting and in reverse. The car will rev high and will not shift or down shift at the appropriate time and is stuck in gear.

NHTSA ODI 11618351

Jun 15, 2024Driver assistanceCrash

Hello, I'm trying to fix my front radar calibration right now but the dealership appointments is months away and I cannot wait that long and it's a hazard to be driving on the road with this being unfixed. Also, please have a vietnamese translator on call when/if you contact me by phone. Thanks!

NHTSA ODI 11594550

Apr 19, 2024SteeringAirbagsLane DepartureCrash

The lane assist stopped working properly and pulled me into the guardrail

NHTSA ODI 11583959

Mar 3, 2024Body & structure

In order for the drivers door to shut, you have to nearly slam it shut. If you don’t, you’re still able to lock the vehicle which results and trapping the door. This means that if you attempt to unlock the vehicle, it will not let you you have to force the door open with your bodyweight. I am driving a loaner vehicle from a Kia dealership and this happened to me several times it’s quite disturbing especially if something has been left in the car and you don’t have access to it like my medication. The vehicle locks will still lock even though the doors are not shut this causes the doors to jam.

NHTSA ODI 11575154

Working with the data? Download all 22 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 2024 Kia Forte verdict →