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 1 of 7)

problem #125

Mar 012022

Forte

  • miles

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

I have already filled out one of these forms a couple of years ago. It is absolutely ridiculous that every 2011-2015 Kia Forte engine has been recalled, but mine has not. My engine completely blew up a few years ago. It has the exact same problem all these other engines have. I called Kia and asked them to help me replace it bc the issue is exactly the same and they refused. A con-rod warped and then broke and it shot through the bottom of my engine. The rod could have shot back into the inside of the car. God forbid my daughter would be in my car and that happens. I had to replace the engine and the turbo which isn-??t cheap at all. Then because of the strain of all of that, it made my transmission go out which has now been replaced. All of these other engines have the exact same problem. It-??s the same problem as the 2.0L, but I guess because mine is a 1.6L and it-??s a manual transmission, mine hasn-??t been recalled yet? The only reason I-??m making another report is because my check engine light is on, AGAIN, and the new engine in my car is starting to experience the exact same issues as my last one. Literally every other type of Kia Forte engine has been recalled except for my. I would like a recalled to be issued and a refund of the money I have sunk into this car. I can-??t sell it because I owe too much on it, so the only option is to fix it. At this point I have put more than double the amount of money into this car than it-??s even worth. Something needs to be done here. I-??m really not trying to wait around until it blows up again and I have to replace another engine. I know I-??m just one person, but there has to be other complaints like this.

- Dublin, VA, USA

problem #124

Apr 152024

Forte

  • miles
On approximately, 04/15/2024, 8:00 am, My 2015 Kia Forte with less 115,000 miles suddenly shut down going 65 MPH! A severe accident was avoided by manhandling the steering wheel to get it to the side of the road. When I called the Kia's Consumer Affair, to report the incident, I was told there was no recall on the motor so they were not labile. I am very frustrated, upset and stressed that Kia's doesn't care about it reputation.

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

problem #123

May 012024

Forte

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle did not accelerate as intended. In addition, the RPMs were elevated extremely high. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, the contact was informed that the repair would not be covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). In addition, the contact was informed that the recall notification had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

- Superior, WI, USA

problem #122

Feb 292024

Forte

  • miles

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

Purchased the car certified preowned from a Kia dealer with 45,000 miles on it, meaning I would have the the remaining 55,000 miles of the 100,000 mile powertrain coverage. At 77,000 miles a small ticking noise started on the way to work and became a knock on the way home. I pulled over where it was safe and towed it to the dealer. They replaced the engine under warranty. Now at 154,000 everything has been running great except for burning oil rather quickly. Where I get my oil changes done offers free top-offs so I would return frequently to make certain the oil level was always in the safe zone. Driving home from work one night, I was on a busy freeway when suddenly and without warning a small squeak noise came from the engine and it stalled. Luckily I just happened to be in the right lane and there happened to be a narrow but safe shoulder to coast over to. Had this happened while I was close to the fast lane, the consequences could-??ve been dire. The engine would not hardly turn over and would not start. I had it towed to my mechanic who said it sounds like a serious engine problem and you should contact the dealer. I towed it to the local Kia dealership where the service department informed me that there was an extended 50,000 mile warranty added to the original 100,000 warranty (which I was never notified about) but since I was 4,000 miles over I did not qualify. This means the replacement engine quit after 77,000 miles just like the original. I feel that they should in good faith honor the warranty - had I been informed I could brought the car in just 4,000 miles earlier and they would-??ve checked the compression and determined that the rings were failing which is why it used so much oil, and they would-??ve replaced this second engine under warranty.

- Valencia , CA, USA

problem #121

Feb 042024

Forte

  • miles
Full engine failure at around 110,000 miles. Metal shavings in oil. Car stalls suddenly when driving. Unsafe to drive.

- Gorham, NH, USA

problem #120

Apr 082024

Forte

  • miles
Over the last 5 years that I have owned the vehicle, the engine will stall when idle or at low speeds. This has happened at stop lights, on hills and while on the highway (which is obviously very dangerous). The engine the vehicle has to be turned off and restarted and usually it will stall again within a few minutes. For the most part, this happens after the vehicle has been driven for at least 15-20 minutes and there are few issues at higher speeds. As such, when taken to the dealer, they have been unable to replicate the issue. The issue is sometimes resolved after an oil change, however it may recur before the next oil change is due (ie within 3 months). The vehicle has otherwise had it's recommended service Many internet searches note many vehicles of my model and many other Kia's with the exact same issue

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #119

Mar 242024

Forte

  • miles

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

engine seized at the light. i was stuck in the middle of a 6 lane road located in greenville midnight. engine can cause a fire and burn up while i-??m inside. the problem was confirmed by a test machine by the mechanic -??Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1)-?? no warning lights at all! -?? the traffic light was red and once it turned green i let off the brake and then it shut off

- Kinston , NC, USA

problem #118

Jan 102024

Forte

  • miles
Engine shuts off while driving

- Davenport, FL, USA

problem #117

Nov 032022

Forte

  • miles
The engine in my car began failing at 60,000 mile despite having all maintenance records. The KIA dealership expressed that this is happening to many similar cars and a recall was issued for a similar engine to mine with the same issue. They expressed that the engine could seize up while driving and cause a wreck unless I purchase a new/used one to put into my car. Again all routine maintenance was kept up to date.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #116

Jan 152020

Forte

  • miles
Car has same issues for 4 years, shaking, stalling, loosing speed while driving. Check engine light on. Light knocking noise while driving can-??t go above 45 miles an hour. Also 3 times car smelled like electrical burning. But was told by Kia nothing wrong with engine

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #115

Oct 122023

Forte

  • miles

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

My daughter was driving it and all of a sudden the engine light came on then the oil it started to loose power so she pulled over right away so we had it towed to a mechanic and the motor needs to be replaced. We never had problems at all with it until then its been well taken care of.

- Gainesville , MO, USA

problem #114

Jan 012020

Forte

  • miles
Three years ago, I took my car to 2 separate kia dealers regarding the knocking in engine. Both said it's "normal". I told them then that they wouldn't sell the car with it knocking. I was contacted in 2022 by credit karma of a safety recall regarding brakes. Another recall was from kia regarding safety from vehicles easily being stolen. I cleared these 2 safety recalls on my vehicle, but I am still being told nothing is wrong with the knocking I hear under the hood. My vin# states my car isn't affected, but I think it is. My brand of car should be included in this recall. Thank you

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #113

Jul 272023

Forte

  • miles
Engine failure. I was stopped at a red light and when I pressed the accelerator to go, I didn't realize the engine shut down. I had to have the car towed and learned a day later of the engine recall for the 2015 Kia Forte EX 5

- Griffin, GA, USA

problem #112

May 262023

Forte

  • miles
My engine blew up. It should be included in the recall but it says its not for the 2012-2015 kia forte.

- Weenatchee, WA, USA

problem #111

Jun 012023

Forte

  • 100,601 miles
Airbag warning is on, buttons/control of the wheel dont work, cruise control does not work. Motor shakes a lot. We got this car 2-3 weeks ago light was not on when we got it from the dealer. Im not an expert but I think that something is not working properly... im do apologize for the inconvenience

- Bell Gardens, CA, USA

problem #110

Jun 062023

Forte

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that after several oil changes, he noticed that the vehicle was consuming and excessive amount of engine oil. Following a visual inspection, the contact stated that he noticed the engine was leaking oil and making an abnormal sound. The check oil level warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #109

Mar 152023

Forte

  • miles
Car lost power, stalled in traffic at a stoplight on a slight incline, rolled back into another vehicle. Have been having repeated problems with stalling. Have taken it to 3 dealerships, none of whom have done anything beyond oil changes. They've even refused to scan it. Kia says it should be under warranty for a new engine after KSDS update, then says it's not. We've been lucky not to have injuries so far because it's done this stalling thing multiple times in traffic.

- Reynoldsville, PA, USA

problem #108

Feb 212023

Forte

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for service, the local mechanic informed the contact that the engine sounded rough. After performing a diagnostic test on the vehicle, the mechanic informed the contact that the engine was faulty. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who confirmed that engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #107

Mar 012023

Forte

  • miles
Engine lite came on car running rough... going to Kia dealer to check for the ksds module...software was updated in 11/2021

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #106

Dec 312022

Forte

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs, coils, and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

- Centereach, NY, USA

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