Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin Index / 2017-KIA-FORTE / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2017 Kia Forte owner complaints

299 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 2 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 7 complaints shown

110 total in this category · severe · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/31/2018 15,206 mi ODI #11164302.0

While sitting idle for over 45 minutes the car started to vibrate. When I began to drive it shook and did not pick up as it should when driving. When stopped at a traffic light it vibrates worse. I called the dealership to schefule an appointment for january 4,2019 but received a call today (december 31, 3018)to reschedule for january 18,2019. I've researched the internet and found that there are others having the same problem. I am a little leery in driving the car since the dealership doesn't have loaners and I must continue with my day to day living. I am not driving on the interstate with this problem. Stated earlier

12/29/2021 ODI #11445372.0

My car is constantly stalling and I have nearly gotten into several accidents because it would stall at red lights, or while driving, turning it stalls. In order to keep it from stalling have to keep putting it into neutral. I can't get a proper scan on it because the engine light isn't on. This has been happening for about 2 months and it is getting worse. I have under 50,000 miles on it.

12/22/2022 ODI #11498542.0

The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormally loud noise. The driver pulled off the roadway and safely stopped. The contact stated that her daughter had not noticed any warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that her daughter saw a puddle of oil underneath the vehicle. The contact's daughter had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the mechanic determined that the vehicle had thrown a connecting rod and that engine oil was sprayed on the engine support and frame. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The manufacturer had not

12/18/2025 ODI #11705805.0

Not providing enough oil pressure for my timing to function correctly.

12/11/2019 ODI #11288309.0

I was driving my Kia forte 2016 in a regular street when it started jerking before it stalled. Luckily I pulled up quickly enough to avoid being stuck in the middle of the road. I waited few minutes then I started it again and I drove off. I did not have this issue with this vehicle, but I started looking into it online when I realized other Kia models were recalled for the same issue.

12/09/2022 ODI #11496738.0

Cylinder 2 is misfiring and causing the engine to get out of rhythm. The car begins shaking and the engine struggles to keep running. The car feels like it will stop running at any given point of when it happens. The check engine light only appears when at a complete stop or when my foot is on the gas. When I take my foot off the gas and the car cruises, the check engine light goes away, making it extremely difficult to catch/code.

12/07/2018 ODI #11156782.0

2017 Kia forte I buy this car brand new back in december 22, 2017 and last month the car start to shake while I'm driving then it start to jerk as if its getting ready to turn off. 3 days a go the check engine light came on I only drive this car to work church no long distance trips or anything I have been getting my oil change and everything that to help with up keep of my car so was thinking my car is a lemon.

other 3 complaints shown

12/23/2021 ODI #11444871.0

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V622000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The part was not available for repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Invalid VIN.

12/10/2025 ODI #11704131.0

Had to replace a P0014 Exhaust camshaft position timing VCT solenoid - over advanced (Bank1) last year on October 1,2024. Now 2025 December 8,2025 need a nothing camshaft position timing VCT solenoid and also says I need replace my engine. I think something is not right about the engine or something on the engine. Not sure but something is definitely wrong. Never had this kind of problem before , but no cars i've ever had.

12/05/2023 ODI #11558539.0

My engine shutoff/misfired while I was driving. The rest of my vehicle maintained power, dashboard headlights, radio. I took it to an autoshop where the issue was replicated. When my engine shut off the I had three check lights come on eps, oil, and battery. There was no warning prior to the engine shutting off.

lighting 2 complaints shown

29 total in this category · severe · avg repair $250 · see lighting cluster analysis →
12/29/2020 48,000 mi ODI #11385418.0

The low beam headlights HID have gone in and out while diving at night..then they have now blown out twice.at $100 dollars a piece..this is unacceptable..!! There seems to be a shot circuit in the light switch itself..it has blinked off when using the turn signal as well which leads me to come to this conclusion..

12/21/2020 59,000 mi ODI #11384457.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Kia forte. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the driver's side headlight became inoperable without warning. After opening the hood, the headlight worked as designed. Additionally, while using the left turn signal, the driver's side head light became inoperable. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 59,000.

airbags 2 complaints shown

16 total in this category · critical · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
12/28/2017 6,150 mi Crash ODI #11057064.0

I was parking my car yesterday at 7/11 and the car accelerated on it's own and crashed into a cement pillar. The airbag did not deploy. I have seen a blog where dozens of forte owners complained about the same issue, sometimes more than once. I was injured and the car needs $9000 in repairs, also I am sure my insurance will increase.

12/09/2023 Crash ODI #11559293.0

The airbags did not deploy when a large jeep turned into the driver side door.

electrical 2 complaints shown

42 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/25/2022 ODI #11498793.0

The trunk seal is not functioning properly. Water gets into lighting and causes mold in truck.

12/13/2019 64,750 mi ODI #11288880.0

While driving my check engine light came on and the car began increased vibration. The light would go off when coasting and turn back on when accelerating. By the time I got home the vibrations continued even when in park as well as not acceleraing. Engine code p0303 was read from the engine light. I have now replaced the second coil pack on a cylinder in the past 5 months.

body 2 complaints shown

6 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $1,500 · see body cluster analysis →
12/23/2021 ODI #11444822.0

The trunk of my 2017 Kia Forte wouldn’t open in the morning. I checked for a solution online and saw there was an active recall (SC216) on the latching mechanism of the trunk which was causing it to get stuck. Took it to the dealership to get it fixed. They fixed it but then told me I needed to pay for it. When I told them it was a recall issue they took the new part off and told me to leave. Now my trunk doesn’t close and it’s being held in place with a piece of string.

12/16/2020 39,400 mi ODI #11383680.0

Tl* the contact owns 2017 Kia forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that water was entering the vehicle from the trunk and the driver's side front and rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to karp Buick (400 sunrise hwy, rockville centre, ny 11570) where the vehicle was repaired twice however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 39,400.

wheels 1 complaint shown

6 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $400 · see wheels cluster analysis →
12/16/2019 27,933 mi ODI #11289366.0

On two occasions I have had the tires blowout on my vehicle. Once while driving and the other occasion while my vehicle was parked in the garage and had not been moved for three days. My vehicle only has 27,000 miles and hardly any thread wear. The tires are kumho 205/r16 55

powertrain 1 complaint shown

11 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/09/2022 ODI #11496720.0

Son purchased his first car and like the 17 forte. Bought it for around 12k and drove it for 8k miles and he had the engine start knocking. No indication lights nothing. Checked the oil thinking it could be that but it wasn’t low on oil. Had it towed to our mechanic he said the motor was blown. Kia would not do anything after it sat in the dealership ship for 21 days. Just received an estimate of $7800 to replace a motor with a used motor with 42k on it!! Are you kidding me! These motors are horrible and there service is the same. Stand behind your product if you ever want to be successful. He could have been stranded in the middle of nowhere with a car having less then 100k miles on it. Needs to be recalled.

Showing 300 of 299 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Kia/Forte#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
Get a free warranty quote →
Sponsored — we earn a commission if you complete a quote. Disclosure.