What Kia Forte Koup owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Kia Forte Koup safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 57 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 64 |
| 2013 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 33 |
| 2012 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| 2011 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 |
| 2010 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 45 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Kia Forte Koup complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte Koup. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, white smoke was coming from under the hood. While the independent mechanic was starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The mechanic turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that prior to the smoke on a separate occasion, while the contact's daughter was driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had caused the battery, starter, and knock sensor to fail. The vehicle was repaired for the prior failures. The contact stated that after the most recent failure, the independent m…
In December after getting letter in the mail saying I needed an upgrade to my car's knock sensor I took it to a Kia dealership. I received word from the dealership that my car had suffered a lower crank shaft failure and would need to be replaced. The dealership told me that this was a known issue and gave me a number to call to file a claim. After months of trying to get follow-up from the Kia claim office, they denied the claim. They said my engine had suffered failure before I had the knock sensor update and if it would have occurred after they would have replaced the engine. Kia knows that there is a severe issue with the engines they put in these vehicles and they are failing to fix th…
THESE VEHICLES ARE ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS! I'VE BEEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS MY ENTIRE CAREER FOR 15 YEARS WITH A LEVEL CERTIFICATIONS AND ASE'S. I STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SIMPLE MATTER OF ANY ACCELERATION OVER 2900 RPM IT STARTS KNOCKING. I WILL NOT PUT MY FAMILY OR MYSELF IN THE DANGER OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER. IF SOMETHING WERE TO BREAK WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE RESULTS COULD BE DEVASTATING! I'VE CONTACTED KIA MANY TIMES REGARDING THIS MATTER YET I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT KNOCKING HIS NORMAL THEY CALL IT A PING. I TOLD THEM I USE 91 OCTANE EVERY TIME I FILL SO THERE'S NO WAY OF PINGING FROM PRE DETONATION. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS MAINTAINED AND OIL CHANGES ARE ALWAYS …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY KIA OF FONTANA (16272 S. HIGHLAND AVE, FONTANA, CA 92336) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF AN ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC CODE THAT WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONSUMPTION VALVE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FA…
I PURCHASED THIS KIA IN 2014, SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD TO REPEATEDLY REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS, TAIL / BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. THE PLASTIC PART OF THE CONNECTORS HAVE DRIED OUT AND ARE BREAKING INTO PIECES DUE TO THE WIRING GETTING TOO HOT, AS THE PARTS THAT ARE LEFT ARE NOW STARTING TO MELT. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL DIFFERENT CARS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS AS MUCH AS IN THIS CAR. ALSO, ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DOESN'T WANT TO UNLATCH. I WILL BE PARKED AND IT WOULD SOMETIMES TAKE ABOUT 2 MIN FOR IT TO UNLATCH. SOMETIMES I WOULD THINK IT WASN'T EVER GOING TO UNLATCH AND I WOULD BE TRAPPED.
DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE RPMS DROPPED TO ZERO. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT ON THE SHOULDER WITHOUT ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THE ENGINE SEIZED UP BUT THE OIL LOOKED FINE. THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THIS WAS ODD. THE CAR HAD 101,000 MILES IN IT.
THETA II ENGINE RECALL. A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO GUIDE IT OFF THE INTERSTATE TO A SAFE SPOT ON THE SIDE. THE CAR WOULDNT STARY BACK AT ALL. COME TO FIND OUT, THE RODS FAILED AND LOCKED THE ENGINE UP. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, ONE OF THE THINGS I DID WAS CHECK EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD INCLUDING THE OIL. THE OIL WAS FULL. AFTER READING ALOT ON THIS ISSUE, THERE IS ALOT OF KIA FORTE AND FORTE KOUP THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT YET THEY WONT INCLUDE THEM IN THE RECALL. IT HAS THE SAME ENGINE IN IT AS THE OTHER KIA'S THAT GOT RECALLED SO WHAT MAKES THEM ANY DIFFEREN…
I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 77 IN CHARLOTTE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. WHILE DRIVING, MY WHEEL HAD A STRUCTURAL FAILURE. I RETRACED MY ROUTE AND DO NOT SEE ANYTHING ON THE ROUTE (I.E. MAJOR OBSTACLE). REGARDLESS, THIS FAILURE IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS IN THE PAST AND HAVE RUN OVER SUBSTANTIAL ROAD DEBRIS AND NEVER HAD THE WHEEL ALMOST COME OFF OF THE CAR.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC238 Flight #501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace brake line(s) in certain 2014-2017 MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently registered in states where heavy amounts of road salt are used. In addition, an anti-corrosion material will be applied to the underbody components for added protection.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2106 FLIGHT 501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2018 MY Kia Forte vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter Nu GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit (âECUâ).
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2105 FLIGHT 501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2016 MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit (âECUâ).
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2102 FLIGHT #501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2010-2011 MY Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles equipped with 2.4-liter MPI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit (âECUâ).
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - 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 to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 20, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whole Integrated Body control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Ant-Theft Software Logic up
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. Kia has developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade and can be installed at the ignition cylinder location to provide additional protection against the social media theft method. Prior notifications stated that this modification had to be performed by July 1, 2025, but the subject vehicles are now eligible until March 31, 2027, to have the ignition cylinder protector installedâif re
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 19, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles, a protective cover will be permanently affixed to
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made available to owners of eligible Kia model vehicles free of charge at authorized Kia dealers since 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade has been developed and can be installed at the ignition cylinder location to provide additional protection against the social media theft method.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2105) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2016 MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit (âECUâ).
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2102) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2010-2011 MY Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles equipped with 2.4-liter MPI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit (âECUâ).
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SALT-STATE: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC238) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia conducting Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace brake line(s) in certain 2014-2017 MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently registered in states where heavy amounts of road salt are used. In addition, an anti-corrosion material will be applied to the underbody components for added protection.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2105) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2016 MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit (âECUâ).
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine fail
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Ele
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai Sonata, MY 2012-2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. ODI also evaluated data from the automotive air bag system supplier, ZF-TRW (ZF), to review vehicles that may contain the same air b
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2017, owners most often name: engine, air bags, electrical system. 52 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
