TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Kia Forte powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Kia Forte have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Forte | 9 |
| 2014 Forte | 16 |
| 2015 Forte | 17 |
| 2017 Forte (this page) | 11 |
| 2018 Forte | 8 |
| 2019 Forte | 46 |
| 2020 Forte | 15 |
| 2021 Forte | 7 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: INHIBITOR SWITCH REPLACEMENT (SA317B/C) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the inhibitor switch on some 2017MY Optima (JFa), Sorento (UMa), Optima Hybrid (HEV), Optima Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), Sportage (QL), Forte (YD), and Sedona (YP), and some 2016-2017MY Optima (JF) vehicles, equipped with a front wheel drive 6-speed transmission, which may experience the concerns listed below. These concerns may be due to the inhibitor switch not allowing the correct gear position signal to be sent
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: INHIBITOR SWITCH REPLACEMENT (SA317B/C) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the inhibitor switch on some 2017MY Optima (JFa), Sorento (UMa), Optima Hybrid (HEV), Optima Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), Sportage (QL), Forte (YD), and Sedona (YP), and some 2016-2017MY Optima (JF) vehicles, equipped with a front wheel drive 6-speed transmission, which may experience the concerns listed below. These concerns may be due to the inhibitor switch not allowing the correct gear position signal to be sent
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: INHIBITOR SWITCH REPLACEMENT (SA317B/C) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the inhibitor switch on some 2017MY Optima (JFa), Sorento (UMa), Optima Hybrid (HEV), Optima Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), Sportage (QL), Forte (YD), and Sedona (YP), and some 2016-2017MY Optima (JF) vehicles, equipped with a front wheel drive 6-speed transmission, which may experience the concerns listed below. These concerns may be due to the inhibitor switch not allowing the correct gear position signal to be sent
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2017 Kia Fortes report severe powertrain problems with alarming frequency. Engine knocking is the most common complaint, developing suddenly without warning lights and progressing to complete engine failure. One owner's engine seized after just 8k miles of ownership; another experienced bearing/piston rod failure at 70k miles. Dealers have refused warranty coverage on engine failures even when mileage falls within Kia's powertrain warranty period.
A separate owner required a full transmission replacement at 90k miles—a repair costing $4,500. Another owner at 20,800 miles reports rough shifting, shuddering, and power loss that dealers claim they cannot replicate.
Several owners experienced total electrical shutdown while driving at highway speeds, killing the engine and power steering with no warning lights. One incident occurred just 50 mph from disaster on a busy interstate; another owner lost all electrical power after driving away from a gas station.
Oil pan gasket failure causes significant oil loss without external leakage. A recall exists for 2017–2018 Fortes, but not all affected vehicles are covered. Spark plug and ignition coil failures prompted a recall, yet owners report replacement coils failing again within months of the recall service. Across these reports, dealerships have consistently denied warranty coverage and claimed inability to replicate problems despite owners providing repeatable conditions.
Same Kia Forte powertrain reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Engine knock/knocking and bearing failure
Engine develops knocking sounds at idle and under acceleration, progressing to engine failure due to bearing/piston rod failure. Owners report no warning lights initially, then oil pressure warning. One case diagnosed as piston rod bearing failure at 70k miles; another engine seized after knock developed.
When: Between 8k and 92k miles; knocking onset typically sudden
Symptoms owners cite: Engine knocking/ticking sounds; Violent engine shaking at idle and during acceleration; Oil pressure warning light; Loss of power; Engine failure
Codes mentioned: Oil pressure warning lamp
Repairs/costs cited: One owner quoted $7,800 for used motor replacement (42k miles). Dealership repair failed to resolve issue in one case after 21 days.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia denied warranty coverage in multiple cases despite mileage under 100k miles and within powertrain warranty period. One owner noted similarity to Flaherty et al. v. Hyundai Motor Company litigation regarding engine design.
Transmission failure
Complete transmission failure requiring full replacement at or near 90k miles. Owner reports never having experienced transmission failure in any prior vehicle.
When: 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idling; Rough gear shifts from 1st to 2nd; Shuddering in 3rd gear; Loss of power during takeoffs; Check engine light
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (code not specified by owner)
Repairs/costs cited: Complete transmission replacement cost approximately $4,500 (owner paid for repairs and rental car). Another owner at 20,800 miles reports rough shifting and power loss; dealership unable to replicate issue.
Total loss of electrical power while driving
Complete electrical system shutdown during highway driving, killing engine, power steering, and all dashboard lights. Safety-critical event occurring without warning lights.
When: One instance at 50 mph on highway; another after AC compressor issue; one at undisclosed mileage
Symptoms owners cite: All electrical systems shut off simultaneously; Power steering lost; Dashboard lights extinguished; Engine shut off; No warning lights preceding failure
Codes mentioned: P0504 (reported in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner mentions AC compressor suspected as potential root cause; one case involved stop lamp fuse PID reading 'broken' despite fuses and brake switch testing normal.
Engine oil pan gasket leak
Oil pan gasket failure causing significant oil loss despite no visible external leakage. Oil level drops dramatically between services.
When: At 92k miles; leak detected 5,000 miles after synthetic oil change
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light (flashing); Low oil level on dipstick; No visible external leakage on concrete driveway
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership suggested oil pan gasket replacement. 2017–2018 Kia Forte oil pan recall exists but owner's VIN not covered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Oil pan recall issued for 2017–2018 Kia Forte but owner's specific VIN excluded from coverage. Dealership denied warranty coverage despite vehicle still within warranty period.
Intermittent loss of throttle response and power
Sudden and recurring loss of engine power and throttle response during highway driving without any warning lights to alert driver. Power returns unexpectedly after loss.
When: Occurred 8–12 times during single highway drive
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of throttle response; Complete loss of engine power; No warning lights; Power returns without intervention
Codes mentioned: P0504
Repairs/costs cited: Owner performed self-diagnosis with scanner; found P0504 code in ECU and broken stop lamp fuse PID in BCM, but physical fuses tested normal and wiring appeared intact.
Spark plug and ignition coil failure
Spark plugs and coil packs fail prematurely, causing engine misfire or stalling. Recall issued for spark plug and coil replacement on 2017 Forte.
When: Within one year of ownership; replacement coils failed again 7 months after recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfires; Engine stalling
Repairs/costs cited: Recall service performed to replace spark plugs and coil. Replacement coils failed within 7 months, requiring second repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for spark plug and coil replacement on 2017 Kia Forte.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2017 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 powertrain problem on the 2017 Kia Forte?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 33,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Related
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/2017/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.