Should I buy a 2014 Kia Forte with documented electrical problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented electrical issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2014 Kia Forte electrical problems

severe 43 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →

Failure mileage

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$850

2crashes

9fires

1injury

What stands out

Of the 13 model years of Kia Forte we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 43.

No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 15V015000 January 16, 2015

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kia Forte vehicles manufactured December 5, 2012, to April 17, 2014

If the cooling fan resistor overheats and melts, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and for vehicles produced from December 5, 2012 to January 27, 2014, dealers will replace the cooling fan resistor and multi-fuse unit. For vehicles produced from January 28, 2014 to April 17, 2014, dealers will replace the multi-fuse unit only. Owners of vehicles with a 1.8L engine will also have the engine control unit software updated. The recall began on February 20, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC113.

What owners are reporting 1 most recent

electrical · filed 12/13/2021

When I engage the left turn signal the headlights will intermittently shut off. They sometimes come back on and sometimes do not. Usually after completing a turn they come back on. It's unpredictable and this has caused some scary situations. It is a continual problem that needs to be fixed by KIA.

Had electrical trouble with your 2014 Kia Forte? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the electrical problem on the 2014 Kia Forte?

It's a meaningful issue. 43 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.

At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?

Across the 24 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 53,000 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 73,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,000; a quarter make it past 110,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to electrical?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover electrical issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Kia/Forte. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.