2011 KIA FORTE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
4/5
Safety Rating
212
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
13
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2011 KIA FORTE
The 2011 KIA FORTE has received a total of 212 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE. 13 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (45 complaints), Air Bags (34 complaints), and Power Train (17 complaints).
Recalls for the 2011 KIA FORTE
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2011 KIA FORTE, potentially affecting up to 3,978,211 vehicles.
Recall 23V652000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
| 1,730,192 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner...
View full details →Recall 23V652000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
| 1,730,192 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner...
View full details →Recall 18V363000 — AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
| 507,587 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all...
View full details →Recall 16V070000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
| 10,240 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Forte vehicles manufactured August 27, 2010, to November 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly manufactured, resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
Consequence: If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission cooler hose, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC129.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2011 KIA FORTE
212 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 KIA FORTE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 45 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 34 | 19 | 1 | 27 | 1 |
| Power Train | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 16 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentotherlabels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodytrunk Lid | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from under the hood, and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact noticed a burning odor in the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed pollution control system. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken for the State Inspection, and the vehicle failed the inspection due to a failed pollution system. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that the failure described in the recall notification indicated a possible engine fire. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
The centered high mounted brake light overheated during normal vehicle operation. The plastic bulb socket and housing melted, causing the bulb to dislodge and fall into the interior of the vehicle. The bulb was extremely hot and burned holes through an interior fabric item that was stored in the rear cargo area for less than 15 minutes. There was no collision or modification involved. This created a potential fire hazard inside the vehicle. No warning lights or dashboard messages appeared prior to the incident. The cause of overheating is unknown. The damaged bulb, socket, and surrounding components were available for inspection at the time of the incident.
The centered high mounted brake light overheated during normal vehicle operation. The plastic bulb socket and housing melted, causing the bulb to dislodge and fall into the interior of the vehicle. The bulb was extremely hot and burned holes through an interior fabric item that was stored in the rear cargo area for less than 15 minutes. There was no collision or modification involved. This created a potential fire hazard inside the vehicle. No warning lights or dashboard messages appeared prior to the incident. The cause of overheating is unknown. The damaged bulb, socket, and surrounding components were available for inspection at the time of the incident.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an unusual ticking sound and smoke coming from under the hood. In addition, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed smoke that was coming from the HECU fuse box. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for three weeks without any communication from the dealer. The contact was unsure if the vehicle had been inspected or not. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Safety Rating for the 2011 KIA FORTE
The 2011 KIA FORTE received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2011 KIA FORTE
Kia America, Inc. has issued 13 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2011 KIA FORTE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PI2102_OWNR_401 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2102) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2010-2011 MY Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles equipped with 2.4-liter MPI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing...
CS2305L_OWNRTD2 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly to certain Kia vehicle owners. These devices can help deter a theft attempt. We are making this device available to customers free of charge and will...
CS2305L_OWNRTD — STEERING
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly to certain Kia vehicle owners. These devices can help deter a theft attempt. We are making this device available to customers free of charge and will...
SC141DPSM — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
SERVICE MANAGER MEMO: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - Attention: All Kia Service Managers - Kia Motors America, Inc. will be conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a preventative measure, to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014 MY Sorento, 2011-2014 MY Optima and Optima Hybrid, 2011-2014...
TSBSC129 — ENGINE
VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN: A/T FLUID COOLER HOSE REPLACEMENT (SC 129) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE A/T COOLER HOSES IN CERTAIN 2011 MY FORTE (TD) VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM AUGUST 27, 2010 THROUGH NOVEMBER 11, 2010. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY CURED...
TSBSC129 — EQUIPMENT
VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN: A/T FLUID COOLER HOSE REPLACEMENT (SC 129) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE A/T COOLER HOSES IN CERTAIN 2011 MY FORTE (TD) VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM AUGUST 27, 2010 THROUGH NOVEMBER 11, 2010. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY CURED...
TSB SC129 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE A/T COOLER HOSES IN CERTAIN 2011 MY FORTE (TD) VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM AUGUST 27, 2010 THROUGH NOVEMBER 11, 2010. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY CURED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF...
TSBSC126 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE UPDATE (SC 126) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO UPDATING THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING (CALIBRATION) OF THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) ON SOME 2011MY OPTIMA (TF) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4L ENGINE AND CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS, PRODUCED FROM OCTOBER 14, 2010 THROUGH SEPTEMBER...
TSBSC126 — ENGINE
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE UPDATE (SC 126) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO UPDATING THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING (CALIBRATION) OF THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) ON SOME 2011MY OPTIMA (TF) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4L ENGINE AND CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS, PRODUCED FROM OCTOBER 14, 2010 THROUGH SEPTEMBER...
055 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
KIA : SOME VEHICLES EXPERIENCING NO CRANK OR START, MIL LAMP, HARSH SHIFTING, DEPRESSING THE START/STOP BUTTON TWICE. *LJ
Showing 10 of 13 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2011 KIA FORTE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the KIA FORTE
- 2009 KIA FORTE — 1 complaint
- 2010 KIA FORTE — 310 complaints
- 2011 KIA FORTE (current)
- 2012 KIA FORTE — 397 complaints
- 2013 KIA FORTE — 268 complaints
- 2014 KIA FORTE — 630 complaints
- 2015 KIA FORTE — 319 complaints
- 2016 KIA FORTE — 190 complaints
Other KIA Models
- KIA SORENTO — 13,451 total complaints
- KIA OPTIMA — 10,045 total complaints
- KIA SOUL — 7,147 total complaints
- KIA SPORTAGE — 6,540 total complaints
- KIA SEDONA — 3,334 total complaints
- KIA SEPHIA — 3,080 total complaints
- KIA TELLURIDE — 2,109 total complaints
- KIA RIO — 1,784 total complaints