Kia Forte Kia Forte

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Kia Forte repairs by problem area

Engine (24%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)

Brakes and Traction Control (7%)

Suspension and Steering (11%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (30%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (13%)

Other (7%)

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Chart based on 242 repairs.
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Kia Forte body repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (0%)

$500 - $999 (0%)

$100 - $499 (9%)

< $100 (91%)

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Chart based on 22 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2017 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

147-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

27000 mi Right Front and Left Rear rear door handles came off. Dealer ordered part but it came unpainted. Took a week for the parts to be ready and 45 mins to install. 
45000 mi Left rear door handle broke off. Part took 4 days to arrive and another 3 days to paint. This is the second time this door handle has broken off. 

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2016 Kia Forte 4dr Hatch

173-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

3000 mi Fabric on rear side of backseat was out of slot, had to be reinserted. Repair was done successfully. 

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2014 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

173-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

85000 mi Steering wheel leather was flaking off at the top of the wheel. Dealer initially told me that because the car is over 60k miles they wouldn't replace it. However the district manager authorized warranty replacement after creating a case. 

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2014 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

148-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

24000 mi The casing around one of the rear brake lights leaked into the trunk and back seat area. During the rainy season we had, it really messed up the back seat. This was happening to several Forte's at the time as we researched the problem first. 
5160 mi Paint chip on hood, both pillars A, both front side, roof, they had to repaint. After the repair, i have seen other spots that are damaged on 3 of the 4 doors. Very annoying for a new car. 
5860 mi Paint chips continued to appear over the body and door. The repainted the entire vehicle except front bumper. 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

173-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

14760 mi

C $60
mudguard replaced 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

58000 mi

US $300
Rear view mirror detached from the windshield. Required replacement. Fuel door wouldn't open. Fuel door wouldn't open. 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Hatch

173-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

30000 mi Rear hatch loose 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Hatch

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

1860 mi Power switch on the sun roof quit working 
41000 mi

US $5
Rattle developed in the hatch windows. I installed foam into the crease to stop noise. Paint on the wiper arm has peeled off. 

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2010 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

8060 mi Chrome finish on exterior door handles was coming off. 
20000 mi SA085 Front Wheel Arch Sealing 
10700 mi Broken sunglass holder/dome light assembly 

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2010 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

35300 mi Rear passenger floor would get wet after driving in heavy rain. I was told it was due to a damaged weather liner in the door. It was replaced and all seems fine. 
56000 mi Not to be difficult BUT -- 01/10/17 A VSC for added anti-corrosion material. I called the dealer (Scott KIA, Springfield PA) 2x and I'm told they did not receive the necessary material yet. How do I get them to respond better? THX, Ray 
20460 mi Rattling and buzzing noise from front door trim.  And door handle silver paint peeling off at one door. Gear knob paint peeling off too. Still waiting for replacement parts. 

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2010 Kia Forte 2dr Coupe

173-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD

45000 mi Glove box, rear seat, driver's door, passenger's door rattle. Lots of small rattles cropping up. After 44k miles nearly all the screws in doors needed 3/4 turn to tighten back up again. Installed dampening foam in glove box & rear seat. 
550 mi Gear shift knob was defective. Kia replaced knob under warranty. 
18000 mi Headlight had condensation inside housing. Dealer replaced headlight under warranty. 
52800 mi

US $380
Switch for moonroof fell apart inside (the contacts for the switch). Couldnt close top. No manual closing method visible like in Lincoln, even under trim. Forced switch about for an hour until it made connection and closed. 
73000 mi Sunroof switch never fixed. 
4000 mi Sunroof rattle resolved with adjustment TSB. 

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2010 Kia Forte 2dr Coupe

173-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

250 mi Noticed that the seat belt was soaked with water. Dealer replaced door weatherstrip. Dealer performed the repair under warranty. 
5000 mi Second trip in for wet seatbelt. Entire seatbelt is soaked all the way into the retractor. Has been at dealer for 4 days now with no explanation available. No corrective action identified yet. Second trip in for wet seatbelt. Entire seatbelt is soaked all the way into the retractor. Has been at dealer for 4 days now with no explanation available. No corrective action identified yet. 

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2010 Kia Forte 2dr Coupe

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

6500 mi Windshield replaced due to abnormal crack that formed, not from a rock or road debris. 

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Kia Forte Body Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently Kia Forte problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.