10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 16
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,455 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2015 Kia Forte engine problems

engine problem

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2015 Kia Forte Owner Comments (Page 6 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #25

Mar 172020

Forte

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

All of a sudden car started making loud clanking sound when driving. Could not accelerate. Car was in motion on a city street. Towed car to Kia dealer and tech said he can not find a reason for the problem but the internal part of the engine failed

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #24

Jan 152020

Forte

  • 129,000 miles
The car keeps cutting off while driving. Was told by the mechanic at first that it was the oil pump. Got it in the shop and they said after inspection that the oil pump is working fine, but is only pushing 1 psi of pressure into the engine. They said the engine is shot and needs to be replaced. It cuts off when we are in stop and go traffic.

- Darby, PA, USA

problem #23

Jan 012020

Forte

  • 109,000 miles
My engine is making terrible noises, it is full of oil, regular maintenance has been prformed, oil pressure light continies to come on and noe car has started dieing at random times while driving vehicle

- Claremore, OK, USA

problem #22

Feb 242020

Forte

  • 72,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I've had my car maintenance done regularly. It only has 72K miles on it. I've only used synthetic oil. My car started making a ticking sound. And has stalled out on my 1 time. I took it for its routine oil change. (noticed the oil was dirty, very dirty and it should not have been that bad) after the oil was changed, the ticking kept getting louder. Brought it to a shop. He told me def internal. Could be a cam, a crank or something else. Just found out too that with oil changes, do not use eith fram or aftermarket filters. I've only ever had places use the fram filters. There is a black filter that should be used because the others just blow out from the oil pressure. That would've been good to know.

- Rochdale, MA, USA

problem #21

Jul 282018

Forte

  • 56,698 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine and the TPMS warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that after an oil change the lights went off and then returned. The vehicle was taken to the capital Kia dealer, located at 2950 morse rd, columbus, oh 43231, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 56,698.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #20

Dec 082019

Forte

  • 105,000 miles
My foster daughter bought a 2015 Kia Forte 5 months ago. The car was fully serviced at the time she bought the car. The engine simply failed on the freeway on Dec 8th. Other cars were zipping by and one car even side swiped her... it was scary and very dangerous. My mechanic reported engine failure for unknown reasons. I called Kia customers service and they said I needed to have the car towed to a Kia dealer for a diagnosis. $300 later, the Kia mechanic reported the same problem and that it would cost $10,000 to get fixed. Kia offered us $500 towards the repair. Thousands of other Kia engines have been recalled. Please hold Kia responsible before someone gets hurt!

- Corte Madera, CA, USA

problem #19

Jul 202019

Forte

  • 44,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled intermittently. The vehicle was taken to O'lathe Kia (130 N. fir St, O'lathe, ks) where the ignition switch was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a representative was sent to examine the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 44,600.

- Gardner, KS, USA

problem #18

Oct 122019

Forte

  • 68,000 miles
I have had a 2015 Kia Forte with the gdi engine in it. I have been paying on it for over 2 years now. I went to the store last night and when I started the car after I got out of the store I heard a loud clanking noise. Come to find out there was no oil even though I have it serviced regularly. Was running fine, no indicator lights. Went up the road yesturday it was making loud clacking noise. I immediately pulled over. Called my daughter and she came to the location and said I had no oil! even though I just had it changed. We put 4 qts in and had it towed home. Plz help!!! we have taken good care of this vehicle and it is still under financing!! I'm a disabled widow with no vehicle now!

- Englewood, FL, USA

problem #17

Jul 012019

Forte

  • 75,000 miles
I was sent information on an emissions recall on my car but didn't take my car in until I saw that the emissions light illuminated on my dashboard around 07/01/19. I called Kia manufacturer, I believe on 07/05/19, case # 13251901 and informed that representative that the emissions light illuminated and that there was recall on my car and asked how to get car repaired. The representative stated to take it to a Kia dealer and they would be able to see recall and repair. I called Kia and made an appt. For 07/18/19 spoke with dj. Kia stated that an emissions update in the car computer was done, no paperwork was given to me. The next morning, while going to work, I noticed that my car was smoking- a big cloud of smoke and there was a burning smell so I immediately took the car back to Kia and 1st spoke with dj. The smoke was lighter by this time but could be seen. Then, I spoke with kevin who stated that they did a diagnostic and couldn't find anything and that the car was not smoking any longer. He got one of the car technicians to drive the car with me to see if it will start back smoking, it did not, the emissions ight was not showing so kevin stated to bring it back if the emissions light comes back on. On 07/27/19, a strong smell of engine fumes came through the vents inside the car and the engine light came back on. I brought my car back to Kia and spoke with rob and left my car there, he stated that it was a small leak and he believed it was the gas cap seal and he ran diagnostic 3 times but did not have cap but will order it. Two weeks later, I called about cap, it was never ordered and spoke with kevin again and made another appt. To bring car in and gas cap was replaced but light was still on. They stated that they needed to order a part to do another diagnostics and part is not in 2 weeks later. My car is still not fixed with no resolution in sight.

- Temple Hills, MD, USA

problem #16

Aug 212019

Forte

  • 62,500 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The contact also stated that the failure occurred sporadically at least fifty times within the last six months. The vehicle was taken to Kia of alliance (2010 w state St, alliance, oh 44601), but they were not able to replicate the failure. The vehicle had been at the dealer since September 5, 2019. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,500.

- Minerva, OH, USA

problem #15

Oct 132018

Forte

  • 33,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte 5. the contact stated that while driving at 80 mph, an abnormal noise was detected as the vehicle stalled and completely shut off. The contact mentioned that it was a small fire located under the hood that was put out by a truck driver. Neither police nor fire report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to kendall Kia of nampa 15700 N Idaho center blvd, nampa, id 83687 (833) 904-0460 where the contact was informed that the engine had a hole in the engine block. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred while driving at 20 mph. The vehicle was towed to white's mountain motors 2400 E yellowstone hwy, casper, wy 82609 (307) 237-2438 where the timing chain, oil pump and camshaft was replaced and the vehicle was taken for a test drive but failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 33,000.

- Riverton, WI, USA

problem #14

May 262019

Forte

  • 116,799 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was shut off and restarted, but the failure recurred. The contact had the vehicle towed to luther bloomington Kia (1701 american blvd w, bloomington, mn 55431, 612-424-7641) where it was diagnosed that there was a loss of compression on the fourth cylinder. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 116,799.

- North Minnesota, MN, USA

problem #13

Jul 012019

Forte

  • 94,000 miles
At 94,000 miles, I was told I needed to have my total engine replaced. It was sluggish to accelerate, then started a rattling sound, and I barely got it to the auto repair shop.

- Alton, IL, USA

problem #12

Apr 162019

Forte 4-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
Hello. My name is [xxx]. I drive a 2015 Kia forte5. It's the sx model with right around 91000 miles right now; and as of recently it has fallen ill. I took it to the dealership after I noticed a slight knocking sound as well as some weird misfires I was feeling. After diagnosis they told me and I quote "internal damage to the cylinder head&possibly pistons from what the technician gathers so far. A tear down to visually inspect is the next step. For the diagnosis though the cost is $134.98". based on the information received from them I contacted the warranty company, expecting them to cover the costs but for some reason was turned away. I am now coming aware that the issues listed above have been subject to many recalls for the exact same engine as mine, however I learned this information though a third party technician. Not once did the dealership mention it. I looked further and found several cases on many online Kia forums of people claiming to have the same issues with the same engine. I am just looking to have some help getting this situation resolved as I've had many people tell me that I shouldn't be having these kinds of problems with a car this young. Not to mention that my car still falls under the power train warranty as well as the extended warranty. Below I have sent copies of all the diagnostic information I received. Please respond as soon as possible. I thank you for your time. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #11

Apr 162019

Forte 4-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
Hello. My name is [xxx]. I drive a 2015 Kia forte5. It's the sx model with right around 91000 miles right now; and as of recently it has fallen ill. I took it to the dealership after I noticed a slight knocking sound as well as some weird misfires I was feeling. After diagnosis they told me and I quote "internal damage to the cylinder head&possibly pistons from what the technician gathers so far. A tear down to visually inspect is the next step. For the diagnosis though the cost is $134.98". based on the information received from them I contacted the warranty company, expecting them to cover the costs but for some reason was turned away. I am now coming aware that the issues listed above have been subject to many recalls for the exact same engine as mine, however I learned this information though a third party technician. Not once did the dealership mention it. I looked further and found several cases on many online Kia forums of people claiming to have the same issues with the same engine. I am just looking to have some help getting this situation resolved as I've had many people tell me that I shouldn't be having these kinds of problems with a car this young. Not to mention that my car still falls under the power train warranty as well as the extended warranty. Below I have sent copies of all the diagnostic information I received. Please respond as soon as possible. I thank you for your time. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #10

Mar 302019

Forte

  • 90,000 miles
On Saturday March 30, 2019, I was driving along the 110 North highway ( California) with my only son, my mother and my boyfriend, I was getting signaled to pull over by other drivers at that very moment my car stalled and heavy dark smoke started to come out of air vent, my boyfriend shouted for us to get out of the car quick, my mother is disabled and uses a walker to walk we had to make sure she got out first, as we started to run from the car I turned around and noticed a fire under my car ( I was driving like that, unknowingly) my car went into flames within minutes and it was a total loss. I have provided pictures for you review, I was very afraid for not only my life but my families life, it crossed my mind that I was going to die, if these doors don't open.

- Lynwood, CA, USA

problem #9

Mar 042019

Forte

  • 103,000 miles
Engine light came on took it to Kia they did a tune up and fuel flush car sounded terrible. Told me they couldn't diagnose the problem unless the engine light came on again. I took it back because the sound was worse 3 weeks later. They said I needed a new engine $7702 or they could check the engine for $2000 and replace it if needed the price would be $7702 plus tax. I do not understand why it sounded worse after the tune up or why they did not identify the problem before the tune. They said it was internal engine failure.

- Grand Blanc, MI, USA

problem #8

Jan 212019

Forte

  • 37,900 miles
Mil light wont go off, catalytic converter damage possible, car only 3 years old"?"

- Clifton Park, NY, USA

problem #7

Dec 262018

Forte

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. While driving approximately 72 mph, the front of the vehicle caught fire. The contact noticed that the fire was coming from the engine. There were no injuries. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Nokomis, FL, USA

problem #6

Jul 272018

Forte

  • 70,000 miles
I was driving on highway 8 in san diego, ca and I heard a loud rattling noise, the check engine light lit up and the engine died and I was lucky to be able to coast the car to the shoulder of the freeway. I had it towed to my Kia dealership in el cajon, ca. They looked at it and told me my engine seized and the engine was blown. I bought this car 11 months ago as a cpo and it is within the warranty of 10 yrs/100,000 miles. I've only put 21,000 miles on it. They are asking for my maintenance records and are having a special investigator to come out on 7/31/2018 to determine the cause. I have had one oil change done at the dealer in January of 2018, the rest of the oil changes I did on my own. The last oil change was just 2 weeks ago. The dealership is now telling me that it's up to the investigator to decide if the engine was defective and if they'll cover my engine under the powertrain warranty. When I took my vehicle in to the dealer in January 2018, I informed the mechanic that there was a knocking/pinging noise in the engine, he told me that this was normal. They never documented my complaint. After reading about all the problems with these engines and how Kia is handling these problems, I am very concerned that they'll honor the warranty. I am making car loan payments on this car and cannot afford to pay for a new engine while the battle over these engines play out in the courts, your investigations and the recent fbi involvement. The dealer never informed me of possible problems with these engines. I never would've purchased this car. Please help, I am concerned that the investigator will falsify what is found in the engine upon investigation.

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

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