THERE IS A CONSTANT KNOCKING COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND LOUD NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALSO TURNING ON AND OFF. 2012-2015 KIA FORTE KOUPS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN RECALLED, BUT NOT THE 2011 MODEL. THIS CAR HAS THE SAME THETA 2 ENGINE AND THE SAME…

12/18/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11384045.0

2011 Forte · powertrain

MY CAR BROKE DOWN IN DECEMBER 2015, WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY FIX IT. I PAID OVER 1000 USD. 2 MONTHS LATER THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAME REASON MY CAR BROKE DOWN COUPLE MONTS BEFORE THAT RECALL. UNTIL THIS DAY I HAVE TRIED TO GET MY MONEY…

12/14/2017 · NHTSA ODI #11054367.0

2011 Forte · electrical

The centered high mounted brake light overheated during normal vehicle operation. The plastic bulb socket and housing melted, causing the bulb to dislodge and fall into the interior of the vehicle. The bulb was extremely hot and burned holes through an interior fabric item that…

12/09/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11703885.0

2011 Forte · engine

IN 2016, JUST A FEW MONTHS PAST THE FIVE YEAR WARRANTY, ENGINE STARTED MAKING NOISE. $5K REPAIR. ENGINE HAD BROKEN ENGINE BEARING CAUSING KNOCK SOUND. LESS THAN 50K MILES. MANY MODELS THAT YEAR RECALLED FOR ENGINE PROBLEMS, SAME MODEL IN SURROUNDING YEARS RECALLED FOR ENGINE…

12/09/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11157130.0

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 16V070000 05/02/2016

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Forte vehicles manufactured August 27, 2010, to November 11, 2010

If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission cooler hose, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC129.

Common questions

Is the 2011 Kia Forte reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Kia Forte is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2011 Kia Forte?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 38 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Kia Forte has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Kia Forte?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 160 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 11 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with kia. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.