2017 KIA FORTE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

5/5

★★★★★

Safety Rating

419

Owner Complaints

38 Crashes 14 Fires 6 Deaths

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

53

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2017 KIA FORTE

The 2017 KIA FORTE has received a total of 419 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 9 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS. 53 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (139 complaints), Unknown Or Other (48 complaints), and Electrical System (42 complaints).

Recalls for the 2017 KIA FORTE

NHTSA has recorded 9 recalls for the 2017 KIA FORTE, potentially affecting up to 2,567,381 vehicles.

Recall 22V031000 — AIR BAGS

| 410,619 vehicles affected

Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's...

View full details →

Recall 22V031000 — AIR BAGS

| 410,619 vehicles affected

Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's...

View full details →

Recall 22V031000 — AIR BAGS

| 410,619 vehicles affected

Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's...

View full details →

Recall 22V031000 — AIR BAGS

| 410,619 vehicles affected

Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's...

View full details →

Recall 22V031000 — AIR BAGS

| 410,619 vehicles affected

Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's...

View full details →

Recall 21V622000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH

| 253,074 vehicles affected

Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.

View full details →

Recall 21V622000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH

| 253,074 vehicles affected

Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.

View full details →

Recall 21V260000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP

| 4,069 vehicles affected

Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.

Consequence: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.

View full details →

Recall 21V260000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP

| 4,069 vehicles affected

Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.

Consequence: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 2017 KIA FORTE

419 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2017 KIA FORTE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Engine
Complaints: 139 4 Crashes 4 Fires 3 Injuries
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 48 6 Crashes 4 Fires 5 Injuries 2 Deaths
Electrical System
Complaints: 42 3 Crashes 2 Fires 2 Injuries
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 38 2 Crashes 2 Fires
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 29 2 Crashes 2 Fires 5 Injuries
Air Bags
Complaints: 17 13 Crashes 14 Injuries 2 Deaths
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 15
Power Train
Complaints: 12
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 10
Steering
Complaints: 9 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Structurebody
Complaints: 8 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 8 1 Crash
Service Brakes
Complaints: 7 1 Crash
Wheels
Complaints: 6
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 5
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 4
Seat Belts
Complaints: 3 3 Crashes 3 Injuries 2 Deaths
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringconnectorsplugsaccesory Power Outletjackportusbsaecigarette Lighter
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingenginecrankcamshaft Position Sensor
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingengineoillubrication Oil Cooler
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagestrunk Lidlatch
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Airantilockabs Warning Light
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 1
Structure
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Suspensionmultiple Axletorque Arm
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 1
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11708259 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
I am emailing i have an issue with a my vehicle i took it in to the dealership and got the recalls performed and they still have not updated in the system i am trying to rent out my car on turo and am not able to do i also contacted the dealership and they said its all electronic what can i do to clear this up or speed it up am sorry am trying to get forward any sort of way you guys can help
#11705805 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
Not providing enough oil pressure for my timing to function correctly.
#11704131 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
Had to replace a P0014 Exhaust camshaft position timing VCT solenoid - over advanced (Bank1) last year on October 1,2024. Now 2025 December 8,2025 need a nothing camshaft position timing VCT solenoid and also says I need replace my engine. I think something is not right about the engine or something on the engine. Not sure but something is definitely wrong. Never had this kind of problem before , but no cars i've ever had.
#11702613 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
About three years ago the clear paint on my car started to peel on the mirrors and car handles. It's progressively gotten worse and now the roof and side mirrors only have patches left and driver side door has started peeling.
#11701841 | ENGINE | | N/A miles Fire 2 Injuries
My vehicle caught fire while driving also before fire vehicle started popping and stuttering rattling sound. I was on highway.

View all Engine complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2017 KIA FORTE

The 2017 KIA FORTE received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Test Category Rating
Overall Rating ★★★★★ (5/5)
Frontal Crash ★★★★ (4/5)
Side Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
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 2017 KIA FORTE

Kia America, Inc. has issued 53 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2017 KIA FORTE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

PI2106_OWNR_401 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2106) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2018 MY Kia Forte vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter Nu GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The...

PI2106YZ_TSB_R1 — ENGINE

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2106Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service...

SC238A_TSB — SERVICE BRAKES

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: BRAKE TUBE/LINE REINSPECTION/REPLACEMENT & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL REAPPLICATION (SC238A) - This bulletin provides information to inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake tube(s)/line(s) for leakage and apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components on certain 2014-2017MY Forte and Forte Koup (YD) vehicles produced from...

SC238_TSB_R3 — SERVICE BRAKES

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: BRAKE TUBE/LINE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC238) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to inspect and, if necessary, replace the...

PI2106_OWNR_201 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2106) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2018 MY Kia Forte vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will...

CS2305_TSB_R3 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2305) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the...

SC264_DP — STRUCTURE

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a preventive measure, to apply anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2017-2018 MY Forte vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2016 through July 27,...

CS2305B_OWNRYDM — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without...

TSB_ENG219_R1 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.This bulletin provides information on setting the "Service Interval Reminder" feature available on most 2014-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model...

SC238_TSB — STRUCTURE

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: BRAKE TUBE/ LINE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC238) - This bulletin provides information to inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake tube(s)/line(s) for leakage and also apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components on certain 2014-2017MY Forte and Forte Koup (YD) vehicles produced from November...

Showing 10 of 53 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2017 KIA FORTE

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the KIA FORTE

View all KIA FORTE model years →

Other KIA Models

View all KIA models →

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report