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%)

Chart based on 242 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the Kia Forte.

Kia Forte engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (6%)

$1000 - $2499 (0%)

$500 - $999 (0%)

$100 - $499 (12%)

< $100 (82%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 51 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

102165 mi

US $233
Intermittent start due to rust buildup on the top of the starter due to road salt. Replaced starter and problem went away. 
160000 mi Car kept stalling at speeds between 25 and 35 mph. Would use 1 quart of engine every 1,000 miles. Dealer said the car had a bad engine and needed a replacement. 

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2016 Kia Forte 4dr Hatch

turbocharged 201hp 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD

14000 mi Surging/hesitation reported, exhaust manifold turbo charger replaced. 

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2015 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

17980 mi

C $400
Emissions system 

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2014 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

125000 mi

US $200
One recall notice was for fuel volume supply. The other was for a brake pedal contact I believe. I had an exhaust emission light on the dashboard before the recall repair, yet it was intermittent. When in the shop, they could not duplicate. After the repair, it started to show up more and now is constant. I will probably live with it.  
126000 mi

US $2500
Cylinder 2 not holding full compression, and estimated cost $2K to $2.5K. Because of the mileage of the car, and potential for other problems, I ended up trading in the car for a new Honda Civic. Up to now, liked the Kia, but was very disappointed to have this problem so early. Not sure if I'd buy another one or not. 

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2014 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

22000 mi Check engine light was on. Dealer said it was a software glitch and reflashed software. 
86000 mi

US $22
Leak in gasket on oil drain plug. Gasket was replaced, all is well. 

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2014 Kia Forte 2dr Coupe

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

9800 mi replaced GDI high pressure fuel pump under warranty 

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2012 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

88000 mi

US $7000
Engine rod failure 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

107397 mi

US $36
Engine air filter replaced. 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

17360 mi Would not start. Flap frozen open due to cold 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

47500 mi Water pump was working but faulty & making a whistling noise a high speeds. 
68200 mi

C $80
Engine short block replacement, timing chain kit, oil pump, pistons and crankshaft 
161300 mi

US $330
Motor makes a tapping/knocking noise. Timing chain, tensioner, and guides replaced. This repair did not correct the problem. Mechanic stated that it could be a wrist pin or a piston slap. 
620 mi Car was starting in the morning but idle speed was ranging from 1600-2600 RPMs and not coming down, even in the afternoon leaving work same thing would occur. Had ECM update by dealer, waiting to see if it solves the problem. dealer had car overnight, seen idle speed act up, completed ECM update again. Been known not to work the first time. Note: New Kias are designed to idle higher than normal initially to heat up catalytic convertor to reduce emission gases. 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD

20000 mi Car started to overheat during rush hour traffic. Brought to dealer after second occurrence; first time added fluid. Overheated to 250 degrees F. Dealer tightened connections to radiator fan because fan was not engaging. 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Hatch

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

7000 mi

US $50
Gas milage not up to what it should be 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Hatch

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

7000 mi Gas smell in passenger cabin. Dealer could not reproduce. Has happened several times since then. 
54000 mi Engine noise like a valve or lifter at cold start start Noise similar to valve/lifter . KIA Rep listened to noise and determined there was an engine problem (not sure exactly what). Decided to replace motor. After new parts are received dealer will install new short block motor and rebuild he 

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2011 Kia Forte 4dr Hatch

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD

15000 mi Cracked heat shield on exhaust 

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2011 Kia Forte 2dr Coupe

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

18800 mi I took it to get my oil change and the guy said that some seal was leaking oil, not badly but leaking. Took it to the dealer, they acknowledged the problem and were more than willing to fix it promptly and under warranty. 

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2010 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

173-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD

6000 mi two fuel injectors leak fuel. Dealer replaced them. 
43000 mi oil leak around oil pan due to failed liquid gasket. Dealer sealed. Took 1 day to "diagnose" the leak and 1 day to repair. 

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2010 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

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

47620 mi Side Oil pan was leaking. Gasket and oil pan was changed (it is a small one on the driver's side??!). 
5000 mi hard shift from 2nd to 3rd gear first time after engine start 

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2010 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

15000 mi

US $63
ECM upgrade 
33000 mi Flex pipe from exhaust manifold was leaking. It was replaced under warranty. 

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2010 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed automatic FWD

15300 mi Leaky gasket replaced. 
68000 mi Replaced flex exhaust (hole), and O2 sensor 
2000 mi Shift programming issue. Can not replicate 
1000 mi Jerky shift on 5 sp auto trans 2-3 shift Jerky shift on 5sp auto trans 2-3 shift 
4000 mi Jerky shift on 5sp auto trans 2-3 shift 
66000 mi Oil leak that I assume to be front crankshaft seal. Dealer has added dye to oil to find source of leak. Must make second trip to dealer in one week. Oil leak part 2. Deal checked leak with dye. Determined seal NOT leaking, oil leaking through the pan. Manufacturer determined leak was a seep and not a weep therefor not covered by warantee WTF?? Car still leaks oil we are NOT happy 
81000 mi Oil leak through porous aluminum pan. Traded car because led to believe would get over 30 mpg, but gets 27-28. 

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2010 Kia Forte 4dr Sedan

156-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

240000 mi motor blew up 
10800 mi The thermostat went out and had to be replaced. The car is 7 months old. 
59000 mi

US $126
Fuel injectors dirty and clogged. Fuel rail dirty. 
145000 mi

US $400
Oxygen sensor 
16120 mi change the belt tensioner, weak tension. thats all. 
5620 mi Transmission not switching gears properly. 
15500 mi Sometimes, car does not start well... 
8060 mi

C $15
Replaced cruise control part 
8060 mi Rough shifting. Reprogrammed engine & transmission. 
78740 mi

C $4000
The engine developed piston slap And was replaced with a used engine with 31 thousand kilometers on it.  
20460 mi leaking oil pan; dealer replaced it 
37300 mi Engine oil leak 

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2010 Kia Forte 2dr Coupe

173-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD

17980 mi When refueling,fuel was overflowing out of the tank when the pump auto-stopped when tank was full. Evap valve was replaced. Warranty repair. 
21700 mi When refueling, fuel is overflowing out of the tank when the pump auto-stops. 
25420 mi I quit filling it until the pump auto-stopped. I started filling it by the visual level on the gauge so it would never overflow because I stopped it early. The last time it happened was shortly after I took it to the dealer to look at it in October. 
47500 mi Engine rattle between 2100-2400RPM. Engine rattle when cold and unusual noise while accelerating and warmed up. Dealership tech says "one of the pistons was falling apart". Replaced engine long block and internals under warranty. Gotta love the 100k mile warranty! 

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2010 Kia Forte 2dr Coupe

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

6000 mi check engine light came on, a valve was stuck in the on position due to extended periods of not driving it, was told to let the car warm up for a few mins when i drove it for the first time when i get back into town each week or two 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans, Coupes, and Hatchbacks.
See TrueDelta's information for all Kia models.

Kia Forte Engine 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.