Kia Forte Recalls (2010-2023)
The Kia Forte has been the subject of 18 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA across the 2010 to 2023 model years. They cluster mostly around the air bags, suspension, and service brakes. At least one is serious enough that NHTSA tells owners to stop driving the vehicle until it is fixed.
The Kia Forte scores 10 out of 100 (grade F), one of the heavier recall records among the vehicles we track. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 78% involve a critical safety system, 2 carried a do-not-drive warning, and 17% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.
Those 18 campaigns span 13 model years of the Kia Forte. The single largest affected 3,866 vehicles, over suspension. Some carry a do-not-drive warning, the most serious class of recall, which means NHTSA advises against driving the vehicle until the repair is done. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common Forte problems owners report and its crash-test safety ratings.
The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the Kia Forte may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.
Kia Forte recalls by model year
Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.
Kia Forte recalls by affected system
Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.
Recalls by model year
2023 Kia Forte Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2023 Kia Forte, involving the suspension and steering. 2 carry a do-not-drive warning.
2021 Kia Forte Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2021 Kia Forte, involving the steering and air bags.
2019 Kia Forte Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2019 Kia Forte, involving the power train and exterior lighting.
2018 Kia Forte Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2018 Kia Forte, involving the air bags, latches/locks/linkages, and engine and engine cooling.
2017 Kia Forte Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2017 Kia Forte, involving the air bags, latches/locks/linkages, and engine and engine cooling.
2016 Kia Forte Recalls
1 recall affects the 2016 Kia Forte, involving the latches/locks/linkages.
2014 Kia Forte Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2014 Kia Forte, involving the engine, service brakes, and electrical system.
2013 Kia Forte Recalls
5 recalls affect the 2013 Kia Forte, involving the service brakes, engine, and air bags.
2012 Kia Forte Recalls
4 recalls affect the 2012 Kia Forte, involving the service brakes, engine, and air bags.
2011 Kia Forte Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2011 Kia Forte, involving the service brakes, air bags, and power train.
2010 Kia Forte Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2010 Kia Forte, involving the service brakes, air bags, and exterior lighting.
Every Kia Forte recall in detail
Select any recall to read the full defect, risk, and remedy text. Do Not Drive and Park Outside warnings stay visible without opening anything.
Suspension
- Affected years
- 2023 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 215
- Reported
- Apr 1, 2024
- Owners notified
- Apr 17, 2024
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
Risk: Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC306. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 23V-649.
NHTSA campaign number 24V244000.
Service Brakes
- Affected years
- 2010-2013 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 1,730,192
- Reported
- Sep 25, 2023
- Owners notified
- Mar 29, 2024
Defect: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 23V652000.
Suspension
- Affected years
- 2023 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 3,866
- Reported
- Sep 22, 2023
- Owners notified
- Sep 27, 2023
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
Risk: Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC283.
NHTSA campaign number 23V649000.
Steering
- Affected years
- 2023 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 939
- Reported
- Dec 8, 2022
- Owners notified
- Jan 12, 2023
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front left steering knuckle may crack, which can result in a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front left steering knuckle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2023. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC259.
NHTSA campaign number 22V906000.
Steering
- Affected years
- 2021-2022 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 30
- Reported
- May 5, 2022
- Owners notified
- May 27, 2022
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
NHTSA campaign number 22V304000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2017-2018 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 410,619
- Reported
- Jan 25, 2022
- Owners notified
- Mar 21, 2022
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
NHTSA campaign number 22V031000.
Latches/Locks/Linkages
- Affected years
- 2016-2018 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 253,074
- Reported
- Aug 9, 2021
- Owners notified
- Feb 10, 2022
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
NHTSA campaign number 21V622000.
Engine And Engine Cooling
- Affected years
- 2017-2018 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 4,069
- Reported
- Apr 13, 2021
- Owners notified
- Aug 16, 2021
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.
NHTSA campaign number 21V260000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2021 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 142
- Reported
- Mar 11, 2021
- Owners notified
- Mar 18, 2021
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.
NHTSA campaign number 21V164000.
Engine
- Affected years
- 2012-2015 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 294,756
- Reported
- Dec 2, 2020
- Owners notified
- Jan 25, 2021
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
NHTSA campaign number 20V750000.
Power Train
- Affected years
- 2019 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 834
- Reported
- Aug 5, 2020
- Owners notified
- Sep 2, 2020
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Forte vehicles. The left front axle driveshaft may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to break.
Risk: A broken driveshaft can result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left front axle driveshaft for a heat treatment verification code, and replace it if the code is missing, free of charge. The recall began September 2, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC195.
NHTSA campaign number 20V459000.
Exterior Lighting
- Affected years
- 2019 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 1,754
- Reported
- Oct 31, 2018
- Owners notified
- Nov 30, 2018
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Kia Forte vehicles equipped with LED headlights. The headlights may not have been manufactured with the correct low beam aiming. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the headlights are not properly aimed, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlight aiming and replace the headlights, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC171.
NHTSA campaign number 18V771000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2010-2013 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 507,587
- Reported
- Jun 1, 2018
- Owners notified
- Sep 28, 2018
Defect: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 18V363000.
Service Brakes
- Affected years
- 2012-2014 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 134,366
- Reported
- Dec 1, 2017
- Owners notified
- Jan 30, 2018
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
Risk: If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC158.
NHTSA campaign number 17V773000.
Seat Belts
- Affected years
- 2013 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 5,245
- Reported
- May 17, 2016
- Owners notified
- Jul 1, 2016
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2013 Forte vehicles manufactured September 10, 2012, to October 31, 2012. The screws that hold the front seatbelt retractor retaining plates may not have been properly tightened, and as a result, the seatbelt retractor retaining plates may break in a crash.
Risk: If a retaining plate breaks during a crash, pieces of the plate could strike the occupants, increasing risk of injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace both front seatbelt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. The recall began July 1, 2016. Kia's number for this recall is SC132.
NHTSA campaign number 16V312000.
Power Train
- Affected years
- 2011 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 10,240
- Reported
- Feb 5, 2016
- Owners notified
- Mar 30, 2016
Defect: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 16V070000.
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2014 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 86,880
- Reported
- Jan 16, 2015
- Owners notified
- Feb 20, 2015
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kia Forte vehicles manufactured December 5, 2012, to April 17, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the cooling fan resistor may overheat and melt.
Risk: If the cooling fan resistor overheats and melts, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and for vehicles produced from December 5, 2012 to January 27, 2014, dealers will replace the cooling fan resistor and multi-fuse unit. For vehicles produced from January 28, 2014 to April 17, 2014, dealers will replace the multi-fuse unit only. Owners of vehicles with a 1.8L engine will also have the engine control unit software updated. The recall began on February 20, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC113.
NHTSA campaign number 15V015000.
Exterior Lighting
- Affected years
- 2010 Kia Forte
- Vehicles in this recall
- 980,377
- Reported
- Apr 1, 2013
- Owners notified
- Apr 19, 2013
Defect: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
NHTSA campaign number 13V114000.
Common questions about Kia Forte recalls
- Does the Kia Forte have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA has 18 recall campaigns on record for the Kia Forte across the 2010 to 2023 model years. The most common areas are the air bags, suspension, and service brakes.
- How many times has the Kia Forte been recalled?
- The Kia Forte has 18 recall campaigns from the 2010 to 2023 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
- What is the most serious Kia Forte recall?
- The most serious recall on record involves the suspension, affecting 3,866 vehicles. NHTSA flagged it as do-not-drive, meaning owners should stop driving the vehicle until the repair is done. Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Which Kia Forte model year has the most recalls?
- The 2013 Kia Forte has the most, with 5 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
- How do I check if my Kia Forte has an open recall?
- Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.
Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.