Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Kia Forte problems

Owners filed 444 complaints about the 2014 Kia Forte with NHTSA between Oct 2013 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (216).

Complaints
444
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
32
Reported by owners
Fires
36
Reported by owners
Injuries
29
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine216
  2. Steering64
  3. Air bags63
  4. Electrical system57
  5. Service brakes26
  6. Fuel/propulsion system24
  7. Exterior lighting22
  8. Power train18
  9. Structure18
  10. Vehicle speed control14
  11. Seat belts14
  12. Tires12
  13. Wheels11
  14. Seats8

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
20131
201423
201521
201612
20175
201842
201960
202049
202182
202238
202342
202421
202527
202621

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

216 reports3 crashes23 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that oil was leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that at start-up the check engine and low oil pressure warning light remained illuminated with an abnormal burned oil odor. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was failing and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (ENGINE); as a possible cause for the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2026EngineODI 11768964

Steering

64 reports4 crashes
“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to operate. The contact stated that the steering wheel would knock from left to right and would unexpectedly seize. Due to the failure, the steering became difficult to control. The vehicle was taken to a service center, where the failure was confirmed to be related to the steering system. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel flex coupling had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure via telephone, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 53,280.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026SteeringODI 11766772

Air bags

63 reports21 crashes
“Airbag warning light has came on had a mechanic run codes and it says all air bags unresponsive. Now my car is refusing to start. If continue to try it eventually starts. Major oil leak and consumption along with knocking. Along with my break lights not working occasionally along with my head lights and brights not working at all”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, EngineODI 11766256

Electrical system

57 reports3 crashes10 fires1 related recall
“I have currently been avoiding driving my car because it goes in limp mode when I’m stopped at red lights I smell oil burning sometimes ive seen small amounts of smoke coming from the engine as well as just receiving an oil change less than a month ago and it already being bad , I checked the mail the other day and i received a recall letter from Kia stating my car needs to be serviced and that I can take it in for a free engine test and inspection free of cost as well as a system update free of cost , I schedule an appointment today for 11 I was told it will take half a day I receive a text to pick it back up 1 hour later I ask if an engine test was also done i received no response so I came in and was told that I would have to pay 270 for a diagnosis despite the engine inspection being different they refused to do one stating the previous owners warranty is up so the system update was done without any inspection or test to see if the damage was already which it is based off the state of my car , when trying to leave my car was not starting up and when it finally did it went into limp mode completely and wouldn’t drive at that point I reach out to Kia costumer…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11720848

Service brakes

26 reports4 crashes
“My vehicle was leaking fluid, so I took it in and discovered that my vehicle’s ABS module failed in what was described to me as an “unusual way” at both the initial garage where I took it and, later, to the dealership, which was the only place that could do the actual repair. Some research showed that the failure matched the way this component failed in Kia and Hyundais that were recalled for this issue, which the dealership acknowledged. But my specific car wasn’t included in the recall, so I had to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket to repair it. Since then, I’ve been waiting for the recall to expand to include my vehicle so I could be reimbursed, because it seems very unlikely my vehicle didn’t get the same flawed system that was recalled in the other Kias and Hyundais. I’m told submitting this could help.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2026Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11708537

Fuel/propulsion system

24 reports1 crash3 fires
“Break line, have to continue to fill break fluid, the smell of something burning when stopping or stopped , passenger right light keeps going out , continues need to be replaced”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2023Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11547448
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.