Every 2011 Kia Forte recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 23V652000
Sep 25, 2023Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModulePark outside
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Full recall details for 23V652000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 18V363000
Jan 6, 2018Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
- Risk
- If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Full recall details for 18V363000 →Power Train · NHTSA 16V070000
May 2, 2016Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit and Lines
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Forte vehicles manufactured August 27, 2010, to November 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly manufactured, resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
- Risk
- If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission cooler hose, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC129.
Full recall details for 16V070000 →
2011 Kia Forte complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 161 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Forte, reporting 28 crashes, 12 fires, 35 injuries, 1 deaths. Kia has issued at least 80 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine48
- Air Bags36
- Power Train19
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic17
- Electrical System16
- Unknown Or Other13
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (29)
- Equipment (26)
- Structure (25)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (24)
- Steering (18)
- Power Train (17)
Read Kia Forte owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2011 Kia Forte
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 3 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
AQ23002Opened Nov 17, 2023Open
- Loss of Motive Power
DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
- Air bags may be disabled during crash
PE18003Opened Mar 16, 2018Closed Aug 30, 2019
What people reported
Owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Forte. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedFire
“The contact owned a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, a bystander went into the contact's place of employment and stated that there was a fire inside the vehicle in the parking lot. The contact became aware that his vehicle was the one on fire.”
2011 KIA FORTEJul 31, 2026 · PA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11754070
“MY CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. FULLY STOPPED, MY CAR IS ON 1000RPMS, I WILL BE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED AND MY RPM SHOOTS ALL THE WAY UP.”
2011 KIA FORTE KOUPMar 8, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11185115
Fire
“The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an unusual ticking sound and smoke coming from under the hood. In addition, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated.”
2011 KIA FORTEOct 21, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11694817
“ONE MORNING I STARTED THE CAR AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR ALSO MADE A KNOCKING/TICKING SOUND THAT WAS NOT USUAL AND THE ENGINE HAD AN ABNORMAL SOUND TO IT WHEN STATIONED AND IN MOTION.”
2011 KIA FORTE KOUPMar 1, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11183518
FireCrash
“The NECU system failed and blew the engine and caused a fire no longer available for inspection. No move running. No warning lamps at all of any sort.”
2011 KIA FORTENov 7, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11623917
Check your Forte by VIN
Not every 2011 Kia Forte is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Kia dealer.
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