general problems of the 2017 Kia Motor Forte - part 1

47 problems related to equipment have been reported for the 2017 Kia Motor Forte. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2017 Kia Motor Forte based on all problems reported for the 2017 Forte.

1 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2026

I am emailing I have an issue with a my vehicle I took it in to the dealership and got the recalls performed and they still have not updated in the system I am trying to rent out my car on turo and am not able to do I also contacted the dealership and they said its all electronic what can I do to clear this up or speed it up am sorry am trying to get forward any sort of way you guys can help.

2 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 12/18/2025

The vehicle went into tasca kia for a cam shaft replacement, this did not fix the issue and the vehicle needed an entire engine replacement under power train warranty. Since then, the vehicle has continuously stalled. The vehicle is not indicating a reason for stalling, it is documented in video, and I have continued to inform the dealership where the vehicle is. This vehicle has shut off on me at rates of speed of 60 mph, comes to a complete stop, and is a huge safety concern. I have reported it to the dealer every time, I have provided video, and I have left the vehicle with them, they have continued to ask me to pick up the vehicle and return the rental because they cannot recreate the problem and cannot continue to lose money on the rental. There are no prior issues, there were no warning lights or lights remaining on the dash when the stall happens.

3 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 12/08/2025

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.

4 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 11/27/2025

My vehicle caught fire while driving also before fire vehicle started popping and stuttering rattling sound. I was on highway.

5 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 11/12/2025

I have 2 problems with my 2017 kia Forte sedan: 1) they have put an "environmentally friendly" coating on the wire harnesses under the front hood of the engine which emits a vanilla scent when warm and attracts rats that eat the wire harness when the vehicle is parked. They need to revert back to the original jacket material on the wire harnesses that don't attract rodents. I've spent hundreds of dollars repairing the wire harness, and it's an ongoing problem on wires I haven't replaced. The ones I've already replaced were with "original" materials that don't have the environmentally-friendly coating. 2) paint (or clear coat?) peeling on the roof and door handles in less than 100,000 miles. I'm told this could be due to a faulty primer, but kia won't do anything about it, as they say their paint warranty is only for 3 years or 36,000 miles, which is subpar.

6 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 09/13/2025

Car steers to tilting directions. Doesn't drive straight especially on the highway. Headlights are horrible.

7 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 05/07/2025

I am writing to formally request reconsideration for including my 2017 kia Forte in the existing recall (NHTSA recall no. 21v-260, manufacturer recall no. Sc210) affecting similar 2017-2018 kia Forte models. Despite my vehicle not being initially included, I believe it should be reconsidered due to the following reasons: 1. Similar engine issues: the recall pertains to certain 2017-2018 kia Forte models manufactured at the kia mexico plant between June 5, 2017, and July 24, 2017, equipped with 2. 0l nu mpi engines. My vehicle, manufactured at the kia mexico plant, is equipped with the same 2. 0l nu mpi engine and has experienced similar issues as described in the recall, including abnormal engine noise and warning lamp illumination prior to engine failure . 2. Consistent maintenance record: I have maintained my vehicle consistently, adhering to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. The carfax records demonstrate regular oil changes, brake inspections, tire rotations, and other necessary maintenance performed both at authorized kia service centers and independent shops. The most recent maintenance was conducted at 112,530 miles, just before the engine failure occurred . This demonstrates that the failure was not due to neglect or lack of proper maintenance. 3. Premature engine failure: my vehicle’s engine failed before reaching 116,000 miles, which is significantly premature for a well-maintained engine of this type. Given the similar defect characteristics — oil pressure issues caused by foreign particles in the oil pump variable relief plunger — I strongly believe that my vehicle’s failure aligns with the recall conditions described . 4. Safety concerns: the defect described in the recall poses a significant safety risk due to the potential for loss of motive power while the vehicle is in motion. My experience aligns with this risk, as the engine failure occurred without sufficient warning, putting me and others at risk.

8 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 02/08/2025

I purchased a 2017 kia Forte from a used car dealer. Two weeks after I picked up the car, the car stalled at intersections. I checked it out at a midas and they found that oil was not getting to the engine and it needed a new engine. I towed it back to the dealer because it was within the lemon law, under 75,000 miles. He said he fixed it, and replaced the engine, but after I picked it up, the same thing happened. I towed it back again and printed a list of mechanical things to check that was online. The second time, he said they cleaned the engine. I am concerned that there is a serious problem with the car and it is not safe to drive. I would have to restart the car and it would stall again. I have not picked up the car a third time again.

9 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/10/2025

-airbags did not deploy. -the car is available for inspection. -the driver was put at significant risk after the vehicle accidentally slid on ice while navigating a sharp curve, causing it to veer off the road and crash into trees. The impact resulted in the car being totaled from the front bumper to the back. Despite the severity of the crash, the airbags failed to deploy, making the driver's seatbelt the only factor that ultimately saved his life. -insurance agent still needs to look at the car. Police office was present, along with tow driver. -no warnings.

10 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 11/23/2024

On November 23, 2024, the brakes gave out on my 2017 kia Forte5 ex. I found several recalls for my car regarding the brakes, trunk, engine and airbags. However, my son was in an accident and I was unaware of any recalls, as the car was purchased used. Would I still be able to get my car repaired under these recalls, or do I need to contact kia?.

11 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 07/09/2024

The hood latch doesn't always work and the hood could fly up and obstruct vision and cause a wreck,the gas door sticks and won't open on the first try, engine is slow on excelleration some times. Not sure when it all started.

12 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2024

The light that marks the low oil of the engine, never turned on and the engine’s time belt was damaged as a result of this, and one of the valves too, and the car just consumed the synthetic oil in just about 7 months, and this is a factory defect because the low oil light inside the car never turned on. And I need that the company replace my engine as a result of this manufacturing defect. My car after that incident has a code p0011.

13 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 12/20/2023

My car started sounding like a diesel truck. The car didn’t want to changes gears right. It was shutting off randomly. I got on the freeway and it wouldn’t shift out of 3rd gear the way it was suppose to, the car speedometer was reading 60-70 mph but when I switched it to manual it was only in 3rd gear. I almost got rear ended by a diesel truck with a trailer due to it not wanting to shift. I had a mechanic look at it and put it in the code reader. It came up just the cam sensor which were replaced. Went to drive off and it sounded way worse than before. Reput it on the code reader and it said something about the oil pump. Got a second opinion and this mechanic said that it was the bearings in the motor. And now it’s going to be a problem and that’s I’m better off getting a new car.

14 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 12/15/2023

I have 2 complaints with my kia Forte. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? yes it can be inspected. 1st complaint-the component or system that malfunctioned was the brakes, possibly caused from the entire braking system, the electronic parking brake software and any damaged intermediate shafts. The problem is like the telluride SUV kia. 2nd complaint is an intermittent burning smell mostly in the rear area after I get out of the car to park in the garage for the night. It does not occur all the time. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? after I was outside of the parked car on a level road, I saw my car rolling. I had to open the door and jump in to pull the emergency brake on with it moving. I was not able to get my left leg into the car with it moving so my left leg was dragging outside on the rough pavement and ruined my brand new shoes and hurt my left leg and big toe. I was shook up. Ever since, I always pull on my emergency brake when parked. 2nd issue- I am not sure of the safety issue with the burning smell. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? no has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? no, I did not know what to do. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? no warning and no symptoms prior to the issues. The 1st issue with the brakes occurred this past Dec. 2023 and was then only occurrence. The 2nd issue has occurred several intermittent times in the past 2 years with the burning smell.

15 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 11/27/2023

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.

16 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2023

Headlights started to flicker off and on after using the blinkers. Just randomly. The alarm won't arm or disarm unless I put the key into the ignition, the alarm (and horn) is set off, I have to take the key out and disarm the alarm it with the remote. The car still starts, all the alarm does is make noise. The dashboard displays fuse and the clock is always displayed at 1:00 when I start my car. They couldn't diagnose my car when I took the car in for a recall software update, after the update hours later the headlights and dashboard lights turned off while I was on the freeway-no blinkers used when this happened. It happened several times after that. The dealer said they would need to keep my car and though it is under the extended warranty I pay for, there wouldn't be a rental car until it was diagnosed and if it is covered then they would reimburse me or my car rental. I had to wait several weeks until I could get an appointment, and my own car rental. Now the dealer said they couldn't find anything wrong. They kept the car because they had not addressed the inside fuse display on dashboard, clock, or alarm issue.

17 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/17/2023

My car was stolen on 4-17. They tore up the steering column . Kia knows what's going on with the tick tick challenge and is doing nothing about it. They quoted me $800 for labor only!!! this is unacceptable. I had to replace my window, my insurance won't cover, I had to purchase a club. I feel violated. I don't know if my car was used in the commission of a crime or will be stolen again. Why isn't kia recalling or fixing these vehicles. I qualify for the starter immobilizer kit, but they should fix their problem first. I am livid!!!! its all over the media in 17 states on the rise of these thefts. When is someone going to make them accountable, when someone has to die first.

18 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2023

Unknown. My 2017 kia Forte lx turns off while I’m driving. The entire car dies but the electric works. I have to put in park and sit a minute before my car will start again.

19 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 12/01/2022

About three years ago the clear paint on my car started to peel on the mirrors and car handles. It's progressively gotten worse and now the roof and side mirrors only have patches left and driver side door has started peeling.

20 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 08/18/2022

Ongoing acceleration and shaking issues. Lose power randomly and has stalled randomly. Now is frequent. I was told it is normal for cars to have some shaking however this is not normal. I try to accelorate and cannot, I had my own diagnostic test done and asked for the coil to be replaced. Kia said it was the spark plugs. Took the car back the next day because I again couldn't accelerate. Over a week later and no communication and I called and left a message. Now kia said it is the coil. Car now at approx 71k miles.

21 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/21/2022

Fuel door latch does not release properly preventing me from filling the vehicle and possibly running out of fuel while in traffic.

22 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 05/19/2022

The 2017 kia was parked in the attached garage of a private residence when a fire broke out. The building was fully involved by the time first responders arrived shortly after midnight on may 19, 2022. Both residents of the home were deceased at the scene, in separate bedrooms. The point of origin of the fire was determined to be at the kia, which was heavily damaged in the fire. The individual making this report is the attorney representing the estates of the decedents.

23 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/05/2022

My 2017 kia Forte is a easy target for the " kia boys" here in columbus ohio. . My car was a victim of theft where my passenger glass was shattered and my steering column was taken apart and my ignition was jamed in by a screwdriver. Kia has made this car susceptible to theft and has nothing to do about it. I want relief from this hazard.

24 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 12/21/2021

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.

25 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2021

Trunk latch on my vehicle gets stuck can only open after jumping down on hood while pulling lever at the same time intermittently happens. Lately been happening more often than not.

26 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2021

Leaving work last week and noticed my trunk was open. Thought maybe I had accidentally pressed the release button and went to close but trunk latch wouldn not latch down and close. Had to fold the back seats down and crawl into the trunk while a coworker held the trunk shit and use a flathead screwdriver to manually lock the latch. After doing so now the trunk will not open.

27 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 08/06/2021

My vehicle is stalling out while I am driving. Also I have to at times try too start it twice wont turnover on first try. Has been reported to dealer they dont seem to know what the problem is. I called 2 months ahead of April 2021 and kia told me they were so booked up they couldn't see me till almost 2 months later. Car is still doin the same.

28 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 07/25/2021

Trunk latch apparently broke and trunk popped opened on it's own while driving. We have not been able to tie it down due to broken latch. Obscures view and cannot be driven safely at this time. Has not been seen or confirmed by a repair shop yet.

29 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/04/2021

Trunk of car will not close never had any problems before one day it closes the next day it won't.

30 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 02/24/2021

My car keeps shutting down. . . Stops running, have to start it again to keep going.

31 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/30/2021

The trunk of my vehicle just opens on its own while driving down the road and then when I pull over to close it won't. The latch is not engaging, once I get the latch to catch then I can't get my trunk to re-open. This has happened numerous times. The most recent occurrence happened on Saturday, January 30, 2021.

32 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/27/2021

I was stopped at a stop light with my foot on the brake. My vehicle lunged forward with my foot still on the brake so I pulled the emergency brake up and my vehicle stopped, thankfully I did nothing hit anyone or anything. When the light turned green I drove forward and my engine light turned on; after no more than 30 seconds, the light turned off. All has been fine since, however I looked up this problem and apparently kia has a serious problem with cars lunging forward and causing major accidents. I honestly am terrified for this to happen to me.

33 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 11/04/2020

Trunk lid opens while driving.

34 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 07/14/2020

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

35 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/14/2020

My car was parked outside like it always is. Went for a walk and when I came back, my car had been on fire. After fire department did their investigation, it was deemed electrical. The light in my visor or the wiring to it had gone wrong. My whole front of the seats is totaled.


Other Equipment related problems of the 2017 Kia Motor Forte


Safety Ratings of Forte Cars
Fuel Economy of Forte Vehicles
Forte Defect Investigations