2014 Kia Forte problems and recalls

49% of owner complaints on the 2014 Kia Forte related to the Engine (214 of 440).

440
Complaints
3
Recalls
32
Crash reports
36
Fire reports
29
Injuries
118.0
Severity index

Severity index 118.0 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 118.0p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 8 of 139 by severity index among 2014 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 94% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2014 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 214 complaints (48.6%)214 49%SteeringSteering: 63 complaints (14.3%)63 14%Air BagsAir Bags: 62 complaints (14.1%)62 14%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 56 complaints (12.7%)56 13%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 50 complaints (11.4%)50 11%Service BrakesService Brakes: 28 complaints (6.4%)28 6%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 24 complaints (5.5%)24 5%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 22 complaints (5.0%)22 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE21448.6%
STEERING6314.3%
AIR BAGS6214.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5612.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5011.4%
SERVICE BRAKES286.4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM245.5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING225.0%

Complaints filed per year

041822013: 12014: 232015: 212016: 122017: 52018: 422019: 602020: 492021: 822022: 382023: 422024: 212025: 272026: 17 (partial year)131415161718192021822223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20131
201423
201521
201612
20175
201842
201960
202049
202182
202238
202342
202421
202527
2026 (year to date)17
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.5x those in 2020 to 2022 (90 against 169).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
20V75000002/12/2020ENGINEKia 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.
17V77300001/12/2017SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGESKia 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
15V01500016/01/2015ELECTRICAL SYSTEMKia 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.

Other Kia Forte model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 12 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-03. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.