2014 Kia FORTE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2014 Kia FORTE has 638 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 8.0x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (34% of all complaints), specifically: this is our 2nd 2014 kia forte ex with navigation everything top of the line... well the first one had a knock in the motor so the dealership "exchanged" it and this one the seat takes about 5 min to lock into place after you adjust it and you have to be driving for it to lock in. there is a knock w. ⚠️ 47 fire reports filed.

47 fire reports 51 crash reports 43 injuries

638

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

8.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

215 complaints

34%

• THIS IS OUR 2ND 2014 KIA FORTE EX WITH NAVIGATION EVERYTHING TOP OF THE LINE... WELL THE FIRST ONE HAD A KNOCK IN THE MOTOR SO THE DEALERSHIP "EXCHANGED" IT AND THIS ONE THE SEAT TAKES ABOUT 5 MIN TO LOCK INTO PLACE AFTER YOU ADJUST IT AND YOU HAVE TO BE DRIVING FOR IT TO LOCK IN. THERE IS A KNOCK W
• I HAVE A 2014 KIA FORTE SINCE SEPTEMBER 2013 ACQUIRED SEVERAL DAYS THE UNIT IS STARTED HAVING A VIBRATION IN THE ENGINE. THESE VIBRATIONS ARE FELT THROUGHOUT THE CAR AND WHEN IN LOW OR STOPPED. I TOOK HIM TO THE SERVICE CENTER WHERE YOU BUY AND SERVICE TECHNICIANS ALWAYS TELL ME THAT NO FAULTS EVERY
• ON 2 OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS STALLED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN.THE FIRST TIME IT WAS IN APRIL 2014.2ND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS AROUND JULY 29TH 2014. I FIRST REPORT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BACK IN MARCH WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A OIL CHANGE. THEY WOULD NOT PUT IT DOWN ON THE PAPER WORK TO LOOK AT IT SINCE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 23 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“THIS IS OUR 2ND 2014 KIA FORTE EX WITH NAVIGATION EVERYTHING TOP OF THE LINE... WELL THE FIRST ONE HAD A KNOCK IN THE MOTOR SO THE DEALERSHIP "EXCHANGED" IT AND THIS ONE THE SEAT TAKES ABOUT 5 MIN TO LOCK INTO PLACE AFTER YOU ADJUST IT AND YOU HAVE TO BE DRIVING FOR IT TO LOCK IN. THERE IS A KNOCK W”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

63 complaints

10%

• I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH A MAN RAN A RED LIGHT AS I WAS GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. HE HIT MY CAR RIGHT AT THE "HINGE" OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND HIT ME INTO THE CAR NEXT TO ME. MY SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND HE HIT ME GOING 35 MPH. THIS IS NOT COOL, IS THERE ANYT
• I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH A MAN RAN A RED LIGHT AS I WAS GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. HE HIT MY CAR RIGHT AT THE "HINGE" OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND HIT ME INTO THE CAR NEXT TO ME. MY SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND HE HIT ME GOING 35 MPH. THIS IS NOT COOL, IS THERE ANYT
• I TOTALED MY CAR BY HYDROPLANING INTO A GUARDRAIL AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 22 crashes

“I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH A MAN RAN A RED LIGHT AS I WAS GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. HE HIT MY CAR RIGHT AT THE "HINGE" OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND HIT ME INTO THE CAR NEXT TO ME. MY SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND HE HIT ME GOING 35 MPH. THIS IS NOT COOL, IS THERE ANYT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

62 complaints

10%

• THIS IS OUR 2ND 2014 KIA FORTE EX WITH NAVIGATION EVERYTHING TOP OF THE LINE... WELL THE FIRST ONE HAD A KNOCK IN THE MOTOR SO THE DEALERSHIP "EXCHANGED" IT AND THIS ONE THE SEAT TAKES ABOUT 5 MIN TO LOCK INTO PLACE AFTER YOU ADJUST IT AND YOU HAVE TO BE DRIVING FOR IT TO LOCK IN. THERE IS A KNOCK W
• TURNED ONTO A FAIRLY NARROW STREET WITH CARS PARKED ON BOTH SIDES; I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE MIDDLE OF STREET UNTIL I PASSED ALL PARKED CARS; ATTEMPTED TO MOVE BACK INTO MY LANE AND STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND STARTED JERKING; I WAS HEADED TOWARD A STOP SIGN POLE; I JUMPED THE CURB AND SCRAPPED RIGHT FROM
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WITH A STEEP INCLINE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP OR TURN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

56 complaints

• SCRATCHES UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON CAR PURCHASED AS NEW MAY INDICATE PRIOR USE AND ODOMETER TAMPER. *TR
• TURNED ONTO A FAIRLY NARROW STREET WITH CARS PARKED ON BOTH SIDES; I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE MIDDLE OF STREET UNTIL I PASSED ALL PARKED CARS; ATTEMPTED TO MOVE BACK INTO MY LANE AND STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND STARTED JERKING; I WAS HEADED TOWARD A STOP SIGN POLE; I JUMPED THE CURB AND SCRAPPED RIGHT FROM
• ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2014, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING OUR 2014 KIA FORTE WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE. AS SOON AS I PULLED THE CAR OVER TO THE SHOULDER, FLAMES CAME OUT OF THE HOOD. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. KIA CORPORATE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT H

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 10 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“SCRATCHES UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON CAR PURCHASED AS NEW MAY INDICATE PRIOR USE AND ODOMETER TAMPER. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

54 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WITH A STEEP INCLINE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP OR TURN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES
• I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A RED LIGHT WHEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT RIGHT NEXT TO ME. I LOOKED AROUND, SAW NOTHING. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC NEAR ME AND NO BRIDGES OR OVERPASSES ANYWHERE NEAR. I THEN HEARD SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED LIKE ROCKS ON THE ROOF OF MY CAR. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND
• WINDSHIELD ON 2010 2014 KIA FORTE SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY WEAK. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD TWICE ON THE 2010 FORTE DUE TO SMALL ROCK HITTING WINDSHIELD AND HAVE TO REPLACE 2014 KIA FORTE WINDSHIELD DUE TO SAME PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD. IN COMPARISON MY 2003 COROLLA HAS ENDURED THE SAME DRIVIN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 10 fire reports💥 8 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WITH A STEEP INCLINE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP OR TURN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 638 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: THIS IS OUR 2ND 2014 KIA FORTE EX WITH NAVIGATION EVERYTHING TOP OF THE LINE... WELL THE FIRST ONE HAD A KNOCK IN THE MOTOR SO THE DEALERSHIP "EXCHANGED" IT AND THIS ONE THE SEAT TAKES ABOUT 5 MIN TO LOCK INTO PLACE AFTER YOU ADJUST IT AND YOU HAVE TO BE DRIVING FOR IT TO LOCK IN. THERE IS A KNOCK W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH A MAN RAN A RED LIGHT AS I WAS GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. HE HIT MY CAR RIGHT AT THE "HINGE" OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND HIT ME INTO THE CAR NEXT TO ME. MY SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND HE HIT ME GOING 35 MPH. THIS IS NOT COOL, IS THERE ANYT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: THIS IS OUR 2ND 2014 KIA FORTE EX WITH NAVIGATION EVERYTHING TOP OF THE LINE... WELL THE FIRST ONE HAD A KNOCK IN THE MOTOR SO THE DEALERSHIP "EXCHANGED" IT AND THIS ONE THE SEAT TAKES ABOUT 5 MIN TO LOCK INTO PLACE AFTER YOU ADJUST IT AND YOU HAVE TO BE DRIVING FOR IT TO LOCK IN. THERE IS A KNOCK W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: SCRATCHES UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON CAR PURCHASED AS NEW MAY INDICATE PRIOR USE AND ODOMETER TAMPER. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)