KnownCarProblems2017 Kia Forte Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 305 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Kia Forte, most often about the engine (52% of complaints, typically around 81,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Forte model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2017 Kia Forte problems
Engine
158 complaints · 52%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
I already filed a complaint on this previously, however in 2020 my engine failed stop working. And I was unable to drive it or fix it. I lost my job, I had to get a rental car. The car lost speed while driving and would not go anymore..
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the engine needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was…
Other or unspecified
49 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 26,500 miles.
I purchased this vehicle dec. 2017 with 318 miles. Vehicle began to sputter when trying to start. First time, towed in was told nothing was wrong. Went home, next morning the vehicle sputtered to start. After 3rd try & loud sounding, I popped the hood & the entire engine was shaking in its cradle. Towed in again…
There were some parts recalled, which I has replaced at 20,000 miles. At 23,000 miles on a trip the engine light came on and the engine began to sputter as if not getting enough gas or as if the timing was off. This issue happens intermittently, even after returning car to dealership for 4 days after which they…
Electrical
47 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 33,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring.
- low miles and still under all manufacturer's warranties. - engine will idle rough, vibrating the whole car while stationary. Dealer could not replicate. - engine acceleration is poor from standing, dangerous in city traffic. Dealer could not replicate. - engine will shut off while turning left in los angeles city…
My car was parked outside like it always is. Went for a walk and when I came back, my car had been on fire. After fire department did their investigation, it was deemed electrical. The light in my visor or the wiring to it had gone wrong. My whole front of the seats is totaled.
Lights
44 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 40,500 miles. Parts named most often: tail lights, brake lights, headlights.
Headlights have gone out multiple times even after replacement with new headlight bulbs. There has been one occasion where the headlights went out while I was driving at night on a busy road. I've had to replace the headlights at least every 6 months because of this issue. *when did this happen* date is the most…
I bought this car brand new at the end of 2017. I have taken extremely good care of the car. A little over a year ago, I took it into the dealership to get something cosmetic fixed on the interior. I picked up my car and when I got home I realized both headlights and one brake light were not working. I took my car…
Fuel system
30 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 22,500 miles.
Hello: Forte has intermittent strong gas smell thru vents. Is at dealer for second time. To me https://www.NHTSA.gov/recalls#vehicle please contact US and dealer as to next step for our safety. [] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'
Car driven 300 miles on one tank of gas, time to get gas, gas won't go in and when I try to put gas in my car , it sprayed out all over me and the car. Very scary. I can't get gas into my car. This just happened today. Never happened before and I filled up fine last week. Can't drive my car because it's empty and…
Air bags
18 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles.
The 2017 Kia Forte my client was driving was involved in an accident which resulted in moderate to heavy front end damage, approximate speed of impact was 20-25mph, the airbags did not deploy.
Involved in an accident where another driver failed to yield and caused the impact on 3 lane road going at about 40mph. At the point of impact, I was thrown into the steering column. The air bag did not deploy nor did the seatbelt lock to keep me from hitting the steering wheel. Minor injuries sustained because of…
Speed control
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
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 ([phone], located at 200 sw grady way, renton, wa 98057) where it was diagnosed that the…
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…
Transmission
12 complaints · 4%The vehicle is the s model, new for 2017, I have driven the car approximately 2,000 miles since leasing it in september 2016. The car has poor acceleration, especially going up hills and merging into traffic (moving, city). It hesitates at traffic signals (from a dead stop). The vehicle tends to sway side to side from…
My car begins randomly shaking. I have had all maintenance done at the Kia dealership as per my warranty specifies. The last 4 weeks, my car will randomly shake violently while idle, attempting to accelerate in the different drive modes. Yesterday, june 21st, 2018, my car started shaking violently as I was parked at…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2017 Kia Forte recalls
Air bags
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the acu, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed march 21, 2022. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc226.
Full defect summary
Kia motors america (kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 sedona, soul, soul EV, 2017-2018 forte, and 2017 forte koup vehicles. The air bag control unit (acu) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on february 10, 2022. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc216.
Full defect summary
Kia motors america (kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 forte 4-door, forte koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 401, "internal trunk release."
Engine: pump
Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed august 16, 2021. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc210.
Full defect summary
Kia motors america (kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0l nu mpi engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2017 Kia Forte
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Kia Forte?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (158 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles); other or unspecified (49 complaints, typically around 26,500 miles); electrical (47 complaints, typically around 33,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2017 Kia Forte have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 25, 2022 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2017 a bad year for the Kia Forte?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Forte model year since 2000, with 305 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.