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.
See TSBs and recalls for the Kia Forte.

Kia Forte electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (2%)

$1000 - $2499 (2%)

$500 - $999 (3%)

$100 - $499 (21%)

< $100 (72%)

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Chart based on 61 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2019 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

90000 mi Replaced battery under warranty 

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2018 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

53000 mi

US $120
AC flush and re-charge 

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2017 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

45000 mi Backup camera developed a leak, water got in and ruined the camera. Dealer replaced under warranty. 

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2015 Kia Forte 4dr Hatch

turbocharged 201hp 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

31000 mi

US $750
motor on side mirror burned out. {the other side also burned out a few years before but was covered by original warranty} two trips. one to pay for parts that were not inventory. the second to do the work. Replaced motor of mirror and also the mirror assembly 

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2015 Kia Forte 4dr Hatch

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

18993 mi

US $1700
TPMS Sensor recall Side mirror would not go up/down 

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2014 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

10700 mi The display screen for the backup camera and audio system was black and not responding, even though the audio system was working. Loose fuse, fixed by pulling it out and re-seating it. 
42000 mi

US $370
Problem: cabin light flashing occasionally when I made a turn, eventually the icon in the dash that signified an open door also flashed when I made a turn. Solution: turned out a door sensor was malfunctioning and reporting an open door when I turned. It was replaced, along with an oil change. 

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2014 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

99000 mi

US $120
Replaced battery. 
125000 mi

US $200
The other problem I"m living with is intermittent bluetooth. Kia says orig unit not so compatible with upgraded iphones. Dealer cost was something like 800 for new radio unit so I am living with that as well for now. Not sure what I'll do. 

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2014 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

50300 mi Right rear window motor was not operating. Dealer replaced motor under warranty. 

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2012 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

125000 mi

US $900
Replace a/c compressor 
133117 mi Bad work last time. Unstuck valves and recharged system. Was not blowing cold enough air. 

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2012 Kia Forte 4dr Hatch

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD

30380 mi

C $30
[headlight bulb] 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

107397 mi

US $36
Cabin air filter replaced with fram fresh breeze charcoal filter. 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

15500 mi Steering wheel audio controls were behaving erratically. Dealer replaced the controls on the steering wheel, which corrected the problem. 
1240 mi Ignition key sticks, not sure why 
2480 mi Cruise control did not work correctly. replaced cruise control 
7440 mi Warranty recall of dashboard clock. The clock would freeze up (as in showing the same time for several hours) then go blank. They ended up replacing the clock completely. 
45440 mi Parking Sensor would was not working, car would not release key from ignition. Car remained in alternator position. 
36000 mi

US $130
Windshield wiper motor was defective. Also, map light bulb replaced 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Hatch

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

wouldn't start; had to be towed to dealer where they replaced a bad starter 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Hatch

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

15000 mi TPMS bad, replaced. clock broken, replaced. 
1860 mi Clock quit working, cruise control was acting up. 

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2010 Kia Forte

Engine not specified

15700 mi In shop three times to fix AC odor. Never fixed 
16740 mi AC odor still present when sold. 

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2010 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

173-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD

26000 mi steering wheel electronics malfunction ie stereo 

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2010 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

12000 mi new airbag deployment program to cover expanded deployment scenerios. 
38000 mi Dealer preformed software update to ECU for A/C logic control at idle speed. No problem notice before work done and no difference noticed after work done. 

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2010 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

40040 mi The horn works intermittently, it is totally unreliable. Many times in traffic the horn just doesn't work. At the dealership they tested it a few times and it worked, they didn't fix. They told me to go when it doesn't work but it's rando 

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2010 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed automatic FWD

16400 mi Airbag light was on, they replaced the module. 
92000 mi

US $40
Driver side and passenger side door sensor went out and wouldn't register when the door was opened. Replaced sensor in door jam. Haven't actually fixed it since it seems like more trouble than it is worth, but several buttons on the steering wheel only work intermittently, sometimes not recognizing that I hit it when I deliberately did or sometimes doing something other than what it supposed to. Cruise control is the worst and barely works now. 
15300 mi Stop lamp (brake light) switch defective (3rd time this has happened). Now there is a recall for the problem, so hopefully the new part is going to last longer than the first three did. 
38000 mi Passenger front seat belt latch failed Seat belt latch replaced 
77400 mi

US $110
heated exterior mirrors quit heating 

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2010 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

93000 mi

US $130
Vent stopped blowing heat or air conditioning. Then started again without repair. Then stopped again. 
93000 mi iPhone very problematic linking to audio system, after latest iPhone software update 
6000 mi Passenger side rear door automatic door lock not working. 
59800 mi Brake switch faulty. 
9300 mi The brake light sensor wasnt working well. My car has auto start button and its affecting it. Changed by the dealer and voila, its ok now. Very easy. 
10540 mi AC compressor was stocked up while running. Starter solenoid burned due to continous try to run the engine(stop start button). Changed the AC compressor,condenser,expansion valve and starter assembly. Battery changed @ 1 1/2 years. 
38440 mi

﷼85
Carbon brush worn out. 
6000 mi Driver's P/W switch cluster (4 window switches) not lit since purchase. Dealer replaced cluster and all is well.  
18300 mi Tire pressure problem as indicated by the TPMS. 15" HANKOOK OPTIMO are on the car. Disregarding 1 puncture and replacement, I've had the car in for tire pressure problems at least 6x's in 2 years. Very odd, no? TPMS was indicating low PSI but tires remained inflated at proper levels. The dealer performed unspecified maintenance and all is well. 
48100 mi My TPMS light is temperamental -- the symbol not the letters. It's on solid -- no blinking -- for days, and then off for days. A constant 32PSI in all four tires. The rep said it was no doubt a faulty sensor, $40+Labor=$140. Not Repaired. 
48000 mi TPMS indicator is now on full/all the time. Dealer says it out of warranty and all cost will be on me. I elect not to do anything more until -- at least -- I need new tires. 
4220 mi Starter problem. 
70455 mi

US $133
AC was not cold. Mechanic found low fluid. He evacuated the system and recharged it. 
71956 mi

US $164
AC not working again. Mechanic was unable to locate leak so evacuated and recharged system. That made it work temporarily 
72307 mi

US $896
AC failed again. This time we took to a dealer. Dealer was again unable to locate the leak. Evacuated and Refilled system again. Dealer finally found the leak. Replaced Condenser and the pressure switch then recharged the system. 
8060 mi

C $15
Replaced cruise control part. Verified function of wiper heater  Electrical, other than above, repair Verrified battery since it required a boost (with nothing having been left on)  
78740 mi

C $4000
And the alternator was replaced at no cost to me. 
36000 mi Switch to control fan speed did not work correctly, replaced part at no cost. 
140000 mi

US $400
Clutch went out on AC compressor. Paid a local mechanic to do the work. 
156000 mi

US $13
Replaced brake sensor under brake petal. Very easy and quick repair although I had no brake lights due to problem. 
112000 mi

US $380
Replaced a/c condensor 
147000 mi

US $35
Replaced headlights 

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2010 Kia Forte 2dr Coupe

173-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD

52800 mi

US $380
Yet ANOTHER TPMS sensor failed (5th) Physically fell apart. Dealer didnt stock, took it to F&F Tire, Brookfield WI. $167 tire, $225 for TMPS&labor. Aftermarket part locks out antiskid. $100 more than dealer & doesnt work! KIA WARRANTY? HA! 
73000 mi ANOTHER failed TPMS sensor. 
47500 mi Airbag light on. Bottom half of the passenger seat was replaced. 

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2010 Kia Forte 2dr Coupe

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

4000 mi bluetooth mic doesn't work properly, the reprogrammed and it still doesn't, also driver and pass side carpeting is pulling away from middle console and looks like it will continue to do so. 
43000 mi

US $360
Passenger window went down and stayed. Took in under warranty, they replaced the window motor. next day same thing, took it back and they had to lock the window up. Waiting for master switch part, now out of warranty, won't cover it. 
14300 mi AC compressor went out, ordered part and replaced, no charge 
33000 mi

US $60
The radio completely stopped working. Not a fuse. 

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2010 Kia Forte 2dr Coupe

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

7000 mi Horn replaced. 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Kia models.

Kia Forte Electrical 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.