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.
On 2/19/2021 I was driving on the hwy and the car was losing power. I don't drive it that much so wasn't sure if it was just me. But as I pulled into a drive thru and was coming to a stop, the car was idling a little rough and the engine was ticking and lightly knocking. Also here is a list of continuing issues that we have had over the years since we bought the car brand new with like 12 miles on it. The rear passenger window has never worked. The radio bluetooth always had connectivity issues. Then the tire pressure warning light appeared and is still on. The tire shop said it might be a defective tire sensor back passenger. The airbag light is always on now. Then the radio antenna fell off the roof, I glued it back on. Recently the buttons on the steering wheel have not been functioning properly, or not at all. And the driver window button does whatever it wants to do, sometimes it will work with some light finesse.
Purchased on June 27 2019. 3 weeks later I stopped by dealership for assistance it's been a nightmare since. Car had been consuming oil and I've spent thousands of dollars for repairs. Just had master mechanic replacing catalytic converter and it's already plugged. Kay on both accounts assured me nothing wrong, nice car has 23 brains it's the echo drive. Engine light blinks and no one can get a code reading, no one but Kia. Both service rep, tyler and Kia Consumer Affairs agent, dean thought I was, and referred to me as wharton whom purchased the car 2014 and had engine problems according to these individual that thought I was there for same reason. Dean from Kia Consumer Affairs specifically told me during a phone conversation Dec 2020, and verifying my VIN number that my vertical was in fact on recall list. I call Jan 20th 2021 and told I was not and case was closed due to I being informed of recall to which I called after seeing arrival on line. I'm advised to go on your website with my VIN number and find out if I'm part of recall. I am not. Why"??". this car obviously is defective if I'm thought to be shannon trying to take Kia for a ride and I'm the 3rd owner with same problem as prior owners. This car is not safe. I've turned to Kia to begin with and paid for compression tests, replaced catalytic converter over $1000 dollars and it needs replacing again due to oil consumption. Fact is I was sold a car with engine problems and have almost been rear end due to power loss, limp mode tyler called it... it's not safe. What can I do now I know I'm out $9000 dollars on this car on my ssdi pay. Much more details documented who what when here and what was said. Times and dates for entire duration of events starting with kira at ron bouchards in fitchburg mass July of 2019 and Oct 2020. Consumer stated she would like the complaint to be removed from public viewing. Consumer stated Kia has no recall on the vehicle even though oil leak is recalled and will not make a recall appointment.
Driving my Kia Forte 2014 on the freeway, as I would accelerate my car would hesitate. I started to accelerate more and it would slowly die down until it completely stopped. Before this incident it would completely turn off at stop lights or stop signs. I got it diagnosed and its the catalytic converter and those are supposed to last a life time. My car is only 6 years old and I had a Pontiac Grand Prix 1989 that lasted 20+ years. Now the inside of my car smells like gas and I just got this car a couple months ago!
The radio turns it's self on and off. One minute the horn is working the next minute the horn is not working. The horn works when it wants to work. The airbag light came on out of nowhere the car was not in a wreck or anything of that nature. Same with the buttons on the steering wheel. If you use the buttons to change the song on the steering wheel it actually turns radio completely off instead of changing the song. And that happens with the volume button as well. I've already been to a mechanic and told them that I think there is an electrical issue but I just get looked at like I'm crazy.
My airbag light came on and then the steering wheel controls all are not doing what they are intended to do. I did a google search and it is saying the clock spring. It also states that they are made to last a life time of the vehicle. I took it to towbin Kia in henderson nv. They confirmed it is bad and not covered under my extended warranty. This is a safety issue being it is the airbag in the steering wheel. And is very expensive to fix. I noticed on the google search many many other people are having the same issue. When I am in the drivers seat whether I am stationary or in travel motion the air bag light is on constant. The cruise control buttons do not do what intended...for example push cruise and it comes on but will go right off. The audio control such as bluetooth button turns radio up... the call button say please say a command the hang up button won't hang up the call and changes the station on radio. Very confusing. But the clock spring controls airbag and steering wheel controls....confirmed by Kia that this is intended functions. None works. I feel this item should be a recall issue due to safety requirements of the airbags. If the airbags deploys while driving without an accident or if it does not deploy at the time of an accident could be deadly either way.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
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The contact owned a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, they noticed smoke coming from the V port where the vehicle charged from. The contact turned the vehicle off once he noticed the smoke. The contact stated that all seats were burned. The contact stated that once the fire department came, the vehicle had caught on fire. The contact stated the fire department extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. No one was injured. The vehicle was not towed. However, the vehicle was deemed totaled. The fire department stated a short fuse caused the fire. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact they would receive a callback. A case was opened with the manufacturer regarding the matter. The approximate failure mileage was 39,483
Headlights and interior lights flickering/going out while the car is in motion or stationary on city streets and highways. Sometimes they don't come back on unless I tinker with the headlight control switch. It is a major safety concern seeing as how I drive daily in the dark to work
This car has several issues which I have found other 2014 owners having the same issue as I do. The headlights and taillights take turns going out. I am to the point about every 5 weeks I am replacing a burned out light. One headlight will go out then I fix that. A few weeks later I will get pulled over for a taillight.being out. One officer told me he was giving me a warning because his wife has the same issues with her lights going out. I will replace the taillight then a few weeks later the other headlight will go out then the other taillight will go out. I find myself always replacing a light. I've pulled up to many Forte owners to let them know a taillight was out and they all say "again" the lights are a major problem. Also my driver side window won't go all the way up. I have had the problem fixed then about 6 months later the same problem happened again where the window will go almost all the way up but it still leaves a little gap in the window for air to come inside which will cause your car to rock back and fourth from the air flow in and out. Its dangerous as it has even pushed me into the other lane from the air pressure coming through the opening in the window.
The contact owns 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that upon re-entering the vehicle with a passenger, the vehicle was started and smoke emitted from the charger port. The contact had to pull of the road and turn off the vehicle as the flames erupted which caused the driver and front passenger to have to exit the vehicle. The fire was coming through the lighter/charger port connection. The vehicle was destroyed due to the failure. A fire inspection report was provided after the flames had been extinguished. A dealer was contacted crain Hyundai of North little rock, 5660 warden rd, North little rock, ar 72116, (501) 232-4018 but had not provided any technical guidance as of yet. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure to determine if they may investigate the fire. 100,000.
When car is in motion on a downward slope like on a bridge or where a road is broken, on applying brake it seems like the pedal is touching the ground making grinding noise and car skids and doesn't stop. I have installed new rotors and brake pads on all four sides. When turn on the ignition, car doesn't start at all, doesn't even make clicking sound. When touch the battery compartment positive charge system then car starts with key ignition on. This happens when car is driven throughout the day assuming battery is fully charged. No light ate on when try to start the engine.
Wiring to the heat and air conditioning is melted together and ge fan doesn't work all the time. Dont have air conditioning. And the adapters dont work cant charge phone. Also there is a ticking noise come from the front of car U can hear it when idling but gets worse when U step on the gas going down the road.oil has been charged and is checked frequently. The noise started right after had oil change and tires rotated.
03/08/19 at 5:45am I was entering us hwy 23 N. bound from central ave. In sylvania Ohio. The car was having issues with acceleration as I tried to get on the freeway. Suddenly I heard like a fan noise, the oil light came on followed by the engine light and the car just shut off! I pulled to the side of the road as smoke was filling the cabin. I got out and went around front and flames were coming out between the hood and the fender on the passenger side. I called 911. One police and 2 fire trucks showed up in nothing flat! the fire was moving into the cab. The car is a total loss! after my own research I firmly believe it was the cooling fan resistor. That would explain the noise I heard and the fire.
Vehicle was in motion when the electrical went out. The ABS, traction control, and steering warning lights came on. The vehicle was difficult to steer to the side of the road. Car had 60K miles. Battery is now on its 3rd replacement. Other prior warning signs were headlights flickering and occasional clicking when starting. These other prior warning signs have occured since 30K miles.
Vehicle in motion hit deer. Airbags did not deploy have had electrical problems at the time and continues being a hazard air bags never deployed. Smell of something but info turned out to be blower motor connector the blower motor malfunctions the seatbelts did not restrain
Takata recall, the indicator gauges/sensors on the instrument panel indicating low oil pressure, as well as others are currently not working and my engine is burning oil in excess of manufactures specifications. General knowledge is that this can cause my engine to seize or catch on fire which is an immense safety concern. Per the york pa Kia dealer, the oil was empty the oil pressure indicator never illuminated. It wasn't until my car was deemed empty that the check engine light came on. Car was inspected by dealer and york Kia (Sept 18) claimed no permanent damage to my engine as a result. (vehicle passed emissions/safety two weeks later - monroe muffler & break, york pa) as my car didn't seem to be leaking oil, subsequent vigilance by me revealed that my car was burning oil. Two follow-up visits since September to remedy the problem with lancaster pa Kia (last 11/27 - 11/28 (81,500 K on engine) and work with gwc (power train $2,100 warranty) an aftermarket warranty have been rejected despite evidence that my car is burning oil in excess of specs. As I am not the original owner, nor did I purchase this as a certified vehicle, as there is no active recall, Kia will not remedy. Maintenance records support that this vehicle wasn't mechanically neglected and maintained by all previous owners. If you request notes from the dealers that I have been working with please call me at [xxx] and leave me a message so I know what the call is regarding. In addition my email is [xxx] thank you. Ps. as this is my only vehicle, and not really safe, information that would indicate that a recall for my make and model would be very helpful on how I handle the situation with my current vehicle. Lost around $500 needing rentals etc. Plus worthless warranty. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Had recall repaired on 01-26-18 & had check electrical wire in photo, & why did not start when turn key. No one could find anything including personal mechanic. Found Kia Forte had many electrical problems & this should not occur with 4 year old car. Occurred 2nd time on 07-20-18 & when wire touched to "tighten, " car started. Feels like wants to cut off & you can feel vibration, but seems to keep going. Seems to occur after running then parking, but all lights & bells are working, so not battery. Situation occurred prior to recall for repair & was told to tell Kia shop. You have to check manually, not depend on computer as that is only as good as the programmer. It can make mistakes, too. All times vehicle was parked after operating. It could cut out in middle of interstate & cause serious or deadly accident.
Electrical issues have happened countless times. Such as turning on the blinker makes all lights go out in car then turn back on as well as replacing the brake lights on multiple occasions. Engine: Should be recalled because it shakes and vibrations often times. The same way the Kia optima engine theta ll engine had to be recalled due to engine failure this engine has similar issues and it overall isn't the best car with a passenger safety rating of just 2 or 3 stars. Kia needs to look into this issue with the engine and electrical components and recall them because they are unsafe. My engine should not vibrate the entire vehicle to the point where I'm vibrating obnoxiously. Also the electrical hazards are unreal especially if I have to replace brake lights multiple times. Kia. Look into this and fix it. These things happen whether the car is moving or not.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Perris, CA, USA