Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 Kia Forte problems

Owners filed 162 complaints about the 2011 Kia Forte with NHTSA between Jun 2011 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (48).

Complaints
162
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
28
Reported by owners
Fires
13
Reported by owners
Injuries
35
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine48
  2. Air bags36
  3. Power train19
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic18
  5. Electrical system16
  6. Vehicle speed control12
  7. Service brakes11
  8. Exterior lighting8
  9. Structure8
  10. Electronic stability control (esc)6
  11. Seat belts6
  12. Fuel/propulsion system5
  13. Steering5
  14. Engine and engine cooling3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20117
20128
20134
20146
20158
20169
201711
201832
201916
202010
202111
20223
20239
202417
20256
20265

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

48 reports1 crash6 fires
“I just bought this car with 79873 miles on it it now has 81853 miles and its making a ticking noise.I been looking over the engine and wondering why my check engine light doesn't come on when I left my gas cap off.I bought this car from a used car dealership..I been doing some research on this type engine and most of them have me recalled.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2025EngineODI 11694631

Air bags

36 reports20 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“No incident yet, but I see other Kia's that have been recalled for powertrain system and air bag issues. The power train issue comes up when I get my engine light checked and the airbag light is on. Also, a constant problem is the break switch, the push button car won't start sometimes and the steering wheel doesnt lock because immobilizer Is a problem and other Kia's have been recalled but not mine, instead they sent me a wheel car lock. I see online so many people complaining about the push button car not starting like mine which may be due to the immobilizer issue and theft. It is annoying to see other vehicle recalled but not mine.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2023Power train, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11535370

Power train

19 reports1 crash1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and reversing, the gear shifter became stuck in reverse(R). There was no warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic assisted the contact in shifting the gear shifter linkages into park(P) manually. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the gear shifter linkages might be damaged; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to their location for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,630.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 27, 2023Power trainODI 11556977

Service brakes, hydraulic

18 reports4 fires1 related recall
“The contact owned a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 60 MPH, the RPMs rose and the vehicle hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The driver pulled over into the emergency lane when an abnormal popping sound emitted from the vehicle without warning. Black smoke then entered through the interior vents, and the vehicle caught fire. The driver and two passengers exited before the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames. Emergency services were notified, and the fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard and was deemed a total loss. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026Service brakes, hydraulicFire reportedODI 11770828

Electrical system

16 reports1 crash5 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 9, 2025Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11703885

Vehicle speed control

12 reports6 crashes1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE DAUGHTER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY STOPPED COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW A RED FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED OR TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V070000 (POWER TRAIN), HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-333-4542. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS PART OF THE RECALL. A CASE NUMBER: 12391153 WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2017Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlFire reportedODI 11001351
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.