2017 Kia Forte cruise control problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Kia Forte have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 40,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Forte | 7 |
| 2015 Forte | 3 |
| 2017 Forte (this page) | 12 |
| 2018 Forte | 6 |
| 2019 Forte | 3 |
Of the 7 model years of Kia Forte we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 12.
The failure pattern owners describe
Multiple owners describe the engine hesitating without warning during acceleration, with some vehicles locking at a single speed (30-35 mph) regardless of throttle input. Others report sudden power loss on highways and city streets, creating dangerous traffic situations. A handful of complaints describe unintended rapid acceleration—one vehicle lurched forward while stationary at a red light despite the driver's foot on the brake.
Stalling and engine shutdowns are common: RPMs drop suddenly, the car shakes and feels "jumpy," and in one case the engine cut off mid-traffic. Simultaneously, owners report fleeting or absent check engine codes, making diagnosis nearly impossible even at Kia dealerships. Multiple dealers confirmed they've seen this pattern across many 2017 Fortes but failed to fix it permanently.
One owner claims the engine seized from oil depletion despite regular oil changes with no visible leaks and no warning lights beforehand—a condition Kia recall #SC210 addresses. Across the board, Kia's manufacturer response has been to insist the vehicle performed as designed and deny the problem exists, leaving owners unrepaired and unsafe.
Failure modes owners describe
Hesitation and loss of acceleration power
Engine hesitates without warning during acceleration or gear shifting, reducing power delivery. Owners report the car becomes sluggish and hard to accelerate, sometimes locking at a single speed (30-35 mph) regardless of throttle input. Issue occurs at any speed and can create safety hazards in traffic.
When: Occurs from 8,200 miles through 90,000+ miles; some complaints report onset within months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine hesitation during acceleration; Sluggish acceleration response; Vehicle locks at 30-35 mph regardless of gas pedal input; Loss of power on highways and city streets; Power loss after 30+ minutes of driving; Shaking or vibration during acceleration
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: One case required new engine spring and ignition cord installation; repairs at multiple Kia dealers have failed to permanently resolve the issue. Dealers have reported seeing this on many 2017 Kia Fortes but provided repairs have not fixed the problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated in at least two cases that the vehicle performed as designed and no failure existed. No recalls or TSBs specific to this issue are mentioned in narratives.
Unintended rapid acceleration
Vehicle accelerates suddenly without driver input or with minimal throttle depression. One incident occurred while stationary at a stop light with foot on brake; another at very low mileage (8,200 miles). Creates immediate safety risk of collision.
When: 8,200 miles and within first months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lunges forward without warning; Rapid acceleration at stop light despite brake pedal applied; Sudden acceleration with light gas pedal pressure; Engine Light illuminates after incident
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (temporary or intermittent)
Repairs/costs cited: One case was not diagnosed or repaired by dealer; another case resolved on its own after 30 seconds
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware in one case; no recall or service bulletin information provided in narratives
Engine stalling and shut-down
Engine attempts to stall or cuts off during driving without warning. RPMs drop suddenly, creating shaking and jumping sensations. Can occur while driving, idling, or parked. One case resulted in owner nearly being hit due to unplanned engine shutdown.
When: 1-2 weeks into driving period; repeats frequently (up to 10 episodes in 2 weeks reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine tries to stall going uphill; Car feels shaky and jumpy; RPM drop without warning; Engine cuts off in middle of traffic; Engine shuts off when AC is engaged; Engine light illuminates and remains on
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (persistent)
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repairs documented in narratives; issue reported to have worsened despite being flagged by check engine light
Intermittent hesitation with fleeting check engine light
Random hesitation and shaking with power loss occurring once every few days, particularly when stopping then accelerating after 30+ minutes of driving. Check Engine Light either does not display or blinks briefly then disappears without storing a code, making diagnosis impossible.
When: Occurs periodically during normal driving; can repeat frequently
Symptoms owners cite: Random hesitation and shake; Power loss during stop-and-go acceleration; Check Engine Light blinks but does not persist; No stored diagnostic codes in system
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (temporary/intermittent, no stored code)
Repairs/costs cited: Two Kia dealers reported seeing this on many 2017 Kia Fortes; recommended repairs made but issue persists
Engine oil depletion and seizure
Engine burns oil and seizes, dealer blamed owner for running vehicle out of oil. Owner claims regular oil changes at service facility with no visible leaks. Kia recall #SC210 addresses similar condition.
When: Approximately 2 years of ownership (purchased November 2021, issue by October 2023)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine seized due to oil depletion; No visible oil leaks on pavement; No warning signs prior to failure; Complete engine failure
Repairs/costs cited: Engine burned up and seized; ASC warranty denied coverage; owner has proof of regular oil changes from Valvoline
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia recall #SC210 exists and addresses this exact failure mode; however, owner's warranty claim was denied
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2017 Kia Forte?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 25,000 and 50,000 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,000; a quarter make it past 50,000. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.