This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
This is in regards to: Manufacturer Recall Number SC284TD NHTSA Recall Number 23V652 This recall is deemed a serious fire risk to my Kia Forte Koup 2012. There has been no updates on any sign of when the remedy will become available. This is a serious problem for me. I need a remedy part to be supplied and become available so I can fix my car in a timely manner so I can drive my car knowing I will be safe and to those around me.
In 2003 I purchased a KIA minivan and couldn't promote the company enough. In 2012 I bought a KIA Sportage and Forte. In 2023 KIA issued a recall on all cars having a key start ignition to update them with some software to prevent the cars from being stolen. I called KIA corporate after notification and they sent me a club for my forte as an interim fix until the software could be updated. Later on checking with the dealership I was told not only do they not have the software fix yet that my VIN number was not on the list, KIA corporate did not hesitate to provide me with a club which I use until today because Kia has failed to provide a fix and even if they did my vehicle seems to be exempt even though it is of the model year affected and a key start. KIA RECOMMENDATION WAS TO HAVE OWNERS TO PARK THEIR CAR IN THE GARAGE. On top of that another recall, interim notice. dated November 14th, 2023 warns of potential fire hazard from the Hydraulic electrical control unit (HECU) even while the vehicle is parked. KIA's recommendation is to PARKYOUR CAR OUTDOORS AND AWAY FROM OTHER VEHICLES AND STRUCTURES IN THE MEANTIME. So now you have it, I have a car which can be stolen easily TO BE PARKED IN THE GARAGE which might catch fire so IT IS TO BE PARKED OUTSIDE. Please, broadcast this message to people potentially wanting to purchase a KIA vehicle. How many other KIA owners are in the same boat with me?
I have had this car for only a couple of months and all of a sudden every time I excelerate my car wont move and it will either jerk or wont go unless you take your foot off the gas then redo it. Then we find out there was a recall now I am scared to drive my car at all. My car has the tire pressure light flashing, the abs light, the brake light, and traction control light on.
Is the car still available: UNKNOWN. The Police report saids the Engine caught fire, it was while parked and was not driven since around 7pm that night, it was inspected by Geico insurance company and by the Police Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, Case Number: 2020-00014944 Reporting Officer: 151 - Sheppard. The vehicle would have put me and my girlfriend in danger if we drove again or further that night or had it been parked in a garage. The vehicle was parked in front of my apartment and was fully engulfed in flames, my girlfriend heard an explosion and saw the car in flames on our surveillance camera. The time of total loss was around 2am that night. The Fire department extinguished the vehicle and said it was a Total loss. It was 20ft from my apartment. Other residents live and park their vehicles near mine. Other residents moved their vehicles before police arrived. The problem wasn't confirmed with Kia Motors nor the Kia Dealership: Dutchess Kia in Poughkeepsie, NY. My VIN number and car model doesn't qualify for the current engine HECU recall, Other models have been recalled except the 2012 Kia Forte EX Automatic. There were no warning lights, no signs, no messages, no other symptoms of a problem prior. Also, no phone call, voicemail, no letters, no emails was sent to me regarding this issue nor about other related models with the HECU engine or similar. Some websites say the 2012 Kia Forte EX has the HECU Engine but I'm unsure. I initially thought this was a problem with just my car but the manufacturer has since made many faulty vehicles under other models and possibly even the same model as mine that have gone unreported. I was made aware of this by videos of current and prior Kia owners, the news and car related websites. I paid off my car in Full with no compensation for the faulty engine or total loss of my vehicle. These are the videos and pictures, I can't upload them because it reaches Max file size: https://photos.app.goo.gl/cT3XrBS3R1WNYuqg9
My airbag light is on took it to dealership when the airbag recall came out to have it check and got it back with airbag light on. And when it rains water gets in the trunk and also my passenger and driver side floor board gets soaked it has begun to show signs of mold this really concerns me due to the fact i have health issues and having to drive a car with mold growing in it is a huge issue
- Oliver Springs, TN, USA
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Driving up mountain road, heard a -??pop-?? and smelled smoke-like chemical odor.lost control of steering and battery icon came on. Was able to get into a turn out and exited the car. Saw orange flames under engine. No cell service in this are so flagged down a passing car who called 911. Fire truck came and put out the flames that had already engulfed and burned the car.
This complaint it about Kia Motors. My motor sent a rod through the block due to a recall. However, i called a week before because of rod knock that started on 05/22/21(blew 05/27/21), i was told parts were ordered. A week after i was told that the engine blew. I towed it to a dealership (05/28/21) Its been an additonal 2 and a half weeks with no update as to when itll be repaired, no loaner offered. Ive already lost one job because of Kia's lack of quality control. This engine failure is common and i believe common enough to not have to wait this long for work to be done.
I previous report number 11384011, pictures uploaded: Driving to repair location on freeway and the car starting smoking and burst into flame from the engine. Managed to stop and got out of the burning car. I immediately called fire service who came and stop the burning. Car towed to Kia dealership facility.
Drove my 2012 Kia Forte for about half a mile around our street and I started smelling burning odor and before I could guess, where the smell was emanating from, I saw heavy smoke coming out from the front and side of the hood. I frantically managed to stop and park. I tried to open the hood but I couldn't. after many tries with the heat I finally opened it. As the smoke was coming from the engine, I realized it was very hot, while other parts of the whole engine compartment was cool. When I tried to start it after 30 minutes, I saw the check engine signal on the dashboard. I simply parked car on the curve, locked it to find a tow truck. Next day called Kia Consumer Affairs department and they told me that my car is not part of the recall, after I gave them my in number. They said to check after 1/27/21, the date the current recall will be published. They said to take my car for Kia dealership and pay for repairs. They they will refund me if it is part of the recall on 1/27/21.
The NHTSA website says I have a recall under my VIN number but when I go to the Kia website and enter it for service it says no recall found, so I can not have it repaired.
After I have been driving my car for about ten minutes, it starts to make a metallic popping sound. It is more noticeable when I am driving under 30 mph or when I am coming to a stop. I have been unable to identify the source of the sound and I am concerned that it is related to the engine.
My son was driving home and was going about 55 mph on ar hwy 62. The road narrows down from two lane to one right by a bluff when the motor without warning, threw a rod in the middle of the highway and shattered the engine. Absolutely no where to pull over. He was very lucky not to be hit as he couldn't give any notice to the vehicles behind him. We always made sure to change the oil and make sure everything was in top notch. Come to find out the oil wasn't making it to the engine. Kia should include this in their recall as their other engines have had major engine failures on the same engine in other vehicles. What would be even better is if they replaced it because another engine would do the same thing. Since this engine is in pieces now! unfortunately I it's not even fully paid for. It has since become a $10,000 yard ornament. So thankful nobody was hurt but Kia should be held responsible. I'm sure we are not the only ones who have had this happen.
Had phone charging and a gps system to travel, directions. 3/4 of the way both stopped working 100%. never were charged either. Then at the place needed to go, overnight the battery must have died as the clock and radio were reset to 12:00 etc... the usb and round chargers still did not work. Battery was checked and was perfect. Do not know what caused all this mess. Terrible when needed it all. This happen when in motion but then stationary still nothing.
Nov 7 2016 was stopped at a light on a main street with two car lengths between me and person in front, due to the heavy volume of traffic. I was hit in the rear, end by an SUV, then slammed into the car in front of me, and sent back again and slammed the car that initially hit me. My air bags did not deploy. Was seriously injured in crash with long term effects.
Made a turn at approx 12 mph. Car bumped into neutral when groceries tipped over. Heater, radio, and engine all quit. Could not be restarted, vehicle had zero power. Stranded in intersection. Towed to repair, informed engine had seized due to over-revving in neutral. Had zero power, could not over-rev. Kia and warranty company refusing any responsibility or coverage. Being told it needs a new engine and a new starter. Estimated repair $8500, more than twice bluebook value. I see after research this is a common problem with Kia vehicles of this era. Approx. 83000 miles, all service up to date. I notice on the aul report the amount of wear on the engine, and the description of the damage using words like "heavily scored and worn to copper backing." I find it hard to believe this kind of damage could have been done in the minute or so the car was in neutral, especially since driver was aware of what had happened. (she saw the groceries tip over and hit the shifter).
A humming sound / and vibration is coming from engine compartment & does not coincide with engine RPM. Faster the speed the louder it gets the loudest @ 45mph. Sound is like a small motorcycle it's next to you. Have already rotated/balanced tires & didn't help. It is almost a transmission whine but it doesn't change w/ shifting or when in neutral
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- Houston, TX, USA