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2015 Kia Forte Problems & Owner Complaints

258 NHTSA owner complaints
16 crash 20 fire 11 injury 1 death

Age-normalised, this year draws ~21.5 complaints per year on the road — ranking 3 of 14 Kia Forte years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2015 Kia Forte, cited in 156 of 258 filed complaints (60%).

Electrical System is next (29 complaints, 11%), followed by Air Bags (23), Power Train (17), Service Brakes (16).

Across all complaints, 16 report a crash, 20 report a fire, 11 report injuries, 1 report a death.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 10 crash, 6 injury, 1 death report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2015 Kia Forte, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 258.

Engine 156 2 crash 16 fire 1 injury

“My car stopped while I was driving and I had a catastrophic engine failure. I had to use my engine warranty and also out of pocket pay. I want to issue a warning to the dealer who sold me this vehicle. And I want a reimbursement because I recently purchased the vehicle/”
NHTSA complaint #11633215, 2024 · 1 injury(ies)

“Engine Oil over pressure caused my oil filter to explode oil in to my engine compartment. Destroyed my engine as well. My car is not listed in the recall list for cars with this exact same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11488655, 2022 · fire

“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning smoke odor was detected. The contact pulled over and noticed there was smoke coming from under the hood. Additionally, there were engine parts that had melted and a puddle of fluid on the ground. A bystander assisted the contact in pushing the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (…”
NHTSA complaint #11447945, 2022 · fire

Unknown Or Other 31 2 crash 3 fire 4 injury

“Water leaks from under the dash covering the floor. And making the brand and acceleration peddles wet and slick. Slowing to stop at my hom and my foot slide from the brake peddle and was unable to safely slow down before impacting my husband’s truck.”
NHTSA complaint #11427348, 2021 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

“I WAS DRIVING 45 ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD STOPPED DEAD IN MY LANE I HAD PLENTY OF DISTANCE TO STOP BUT WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES I FELT THE ANTILOCK BRAES VIBRATE TWICE AND THEN IT FELT LIKE I WAS STILL GOING THE SAME SPEED NOT SLOWING ME DOWN (I HAD BOTH FEET ON BRAKE PEDAL WHEN I FINALLY STOPPED).RESULTING IN ME STRIKING THE CAR AND TOTALING MINE AND HIS. WITNESSES SAID IT LOOKED LIKE I HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES IN PLENTY OF TIME BUT DIDN'T STOP. I DID NOT KNOW HE HAD STOPPED BECAUSE HE HAD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM WHICH HAD PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD . THIS WAS A 4 CAR AC…”
NHTSA complaint #10873377, 2016 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“RANDOMLY BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEY CAR HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND NORMAL MAINTENANCE DONE TO IT.”
NHTSA complaint #11348820, 2020 · fire

Electrical System 29 2 fire

“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal burning smell would emit throughout the vehicle without warning. The contact also stated that due to this failure, the brake lights would intermittently fail to operate as needed upon depression. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they discovered burnt wires in the electrical box and had the box replaced; despite the replacement, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage wa…”
NHTSA complaint #11451588, 2022 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION WOULD SOMETIMES SHOCK THEM AND SMELL AS IF THERE WAS A BURNING/SMOKING ODOR EMITTING FROM THE STARTER. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NOW FAILS TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER (CAR CONNECTION INC ADDRESS: 4425 DIXIE HWY, FAIRFIELD, OH 45014 PHONE: (513) 829-8022) WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY AND DID NOT IDENTIFY A FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURES PERSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPR…”
NHTSA complaint #11326732, 2020 · fire

“I own a 2015 Kia Forte (VIN: [XXX] ) that experienced complete engine failure. The vehicle had been running normally until it began stalling and sputtering while driving. Shortly after, the engine would only run for 1–2 seconds before shutting off entirely. This exact issue mirrors those documented in previous recalls and class-action lawsuits involving Kia's 2011–2015 models with 2.0L and 2.4L engines. However, despite having the same failure and engine type, my VIN was excluded from the existing recall/warranty extension campaigns. Kia confirmed this is a known issue, but will not cover rep…”
NHTSA complaint #11698243, 2025

Air Bags 23 10 crash 6 injury 1 death

“DRIVER WAS IN MIDDLE LANE DRIVING AROUND 55 MPH. FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CAR BEGAN FLIPPING WHILE STILL IN THE ROADWAY, EVENTUALLY HIT A GUARD RAIL AND CONTINUED FLIPPING. DRIVER WAS EJECTED AND KILLED. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED...UPDATED 11/13/15 *BF .....UPDATED 12/23/15 *BF UPDATED 1/11/2015*JS UPDATED 9/17/2017*CN”
NHTSA complaint #10679343, 2014 · crash · 1 death(s)

“The contact's daughter owned a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at 15 MPH, another vehicle going 40 MPH crashed into the passenger front side of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated his daughter sustained whiplash and was taken to the hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a lot, where it was totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11421985, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I WAS DRIVING ON A GRAVEL ROAD A LITTLE TO FAST AND MY CAR STARTED TO SLIDE FROM SIDE TO SIDE I TRIED TO GAIN CONTROL BUT COULDN'T AND ENDED UP HITTING A METAL BRIDGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THEY SHOULD HAVE. MY WHOLE FRONT RIGHT IN IS DAMAGED AND THE SPEED I WAS GOING THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE WENT OFF!.”
NHTSA complaint #11341498, 2020 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Power Train 17 1 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. WHILE MOVING THE GEAR SHIFTER FROM DRIVE INTO PARK, THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ON ITS OWN, EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN TWO CRASHES DUE TO THE FAILURE. *ON THE FIRST OCCASION, WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO PARK AND THEN LUNGED FORWARD AND STRUCK A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPO…”
NHTSA complaint #11254210, 2019 · crash

“I own a 2015 Kia Forte (VIN: [XXX] ) that experienced complete engine failure. The vehicle had been running normally until it began stalling and sputtering while driving. Shortly after, the engine would only run for 1–2 seconds before shutting off entirely. This exact issue mirrors those documented in previous recalls and class-action lawsuits involving Kia's 2011–2015 models with 2.0L and 2.4L engines. However, despite having the same failure and engine type, my VIN was excluded from the existing recall/warranty extension campaigns. Kia confirmed this is a known issue, but will not cover rep…”
NHTSA complaint #11698243, 2025

“The engine in my 2015 Kia Forte (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced failure tied to recall code P1326, which is associated with bearing wear and potential engine seizure. The vehicle entered limp mode around [XXX] at 152,170 miles, despite early signs of failure starting at 131,000 miles. These included loss of power, rough idle, and a check engine light (CEL) which triggered the P1326 code confirmed by both a pre-scan and Kia dealership. System that failed: The engine and powertrain system. Issue stems from rod bearing wear as identified in Kia’s engine class-action settlement. Vehicle is available fo…”
NHTSA complaint #11660151, 2024

Service Brakes 16 2 crash 3 injury

“Water leaks from under the dash covering the floor. And making the brand and acceleration peddles wet and slick. Slowing to stop at my hom and my foot slide from the brake peddle and was unable to safely slow down before impacting my husband’s truck.”
NHTSA complaint #11427348, 2021 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

“THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AS I BACKED OUT OF MY GARAGE IN MARCH OF 2016. I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND BEGAN TO PUSH THE GAS TO BACK OUT. THE CAR ENGINE REVVED LOUDLY AND THE CAR SHOT OUT OF THE GARAGE. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THINKING I POSSIBLY HAD MY FOOT ON THE WRONG PEDAL (EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE), I LOOKED DOWN AT MY FEET AND VERIFIED THAT MY FOOT WAS INDEED ON THE BRAKE AND NOT THE GAS PEDAL. I THEN PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT SLOW DOWN; IT CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED. AT THIS POINT, I HAD GONE DOWN MY…”
NHTSA complaint #10852998, 2016 · crash

“I was driving today and upon braking trying to come to a four way stop, the brake pedal went to the floor with no stopping. My vehicle went through the 4 way stop endangering me and my passengers. The piston blew out where all fluid leaked over the place. This is dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11689697, 2025

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Exterior Lighting 13

“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the rear driver's side brake light failed. No warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that she previously replaced the rear driver’s side brake light three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear driver’s side taillight brake wiring failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11508413, 2022

“Car has an electrical problem battery keeps draining changed alternator fuel pump starter and battery and still something draining the battery”
NHTSA complaint #11490482, 2022

“THE TAIL LIGHTS THAT SURROUND THE BREAK LIGHTS CONSIST OF FOUR LED LIGHT BARS. IT IS ALWAYS RANDOM WITH OF THE LED ACTUALLY WORK. THE”
NHTSA complaint #11407869, 2021

Fuel/Propulsion System 10

“The car is jerking while driving. It's caused the car to overheat. It's hard to start up and usually stalls out. It has stalled out while driving almost causing a accident. The engine light came on. I took it for a diagnostic and it was code P0172 for high pressure fuel pump. Before the incident date it was already hard to start prior to the engine light coming on. It sometimes causes smoke to come out of the exhaust. There was also smoke from under the hood in the engine compartment and as soon as I put gas in the car it runs out very quickly. This issue could have caused and accident or even…”
NHTSA complaint #11744259, 2026

“The vehicle began experiencing persistent engine misfires and rough running. Fuel contamination was found in the engine oil, and the spark plugs were fouled with oil and fuel. The catalytic converter has become clogged and failed multiple times due to excess fuel and oil entering the exhaust system. The Kia dealership documented these conditions but refused to perform recall-related engine repairs. Kia Consumer Affairs stated the vehicle does not meet warranty extension guidelines and would not repair the engine. Due to fuel in the oil, misfires, overheating exhaust components, and repeated…”
NHTSA complaint #11706002, 2024

“Over the last 5 years that I have owned the vehicle, the engine will stall when idle or at low speeds. This has happened at stop lights, on hills and while on the highway (which is obviously very dangerous). The engine the vehicle has to be turned off and restarted and usually it will stall again within a few minutes. For the most part, this happens after the vehicle has been driven for at least 15-20 minutes and there are few issues at higher speeds. As such, when taken to the dealer, they have been unable to replicate the issue. The issue is sometimes resolved after an oil change, howev…”
NHTSA complaint #11581686, 2024

Vehicle Speed Control 5 2 crash 1 injury 1 death

“DRIVER WAS IN MIDDLE LANE DRIVING AROUND 55 MPH. FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CAR BEGAN FLIPPING WHILE STILL IN THE ROADWAY, EVENTUALLY HIT A GUARD RAIL AND CONTINUED FLIPPING. DRIVER WAS EJECTED AND KILLED. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED...UPDATED 11/13/15 *BF .....UPDATED 12/23/15 *BF UPDATED 1/11/2015*JS UPDATED 9/17/2017*CN”
NHTSA complaint #10679343, 2014 · crash · 1 death(s)

“My car stopped while I was driving and I had a catastrophic engine failure. I had to use my engine warranty and also out of pocket pay. I want to issue a warning to the dealer who sold me this vehicle. And I want a reimbursement because I recently purchased the vehicle/”
NHTSA complaint #11633215, 2024 · 1 injury(ies)

“THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AS I BACKED OUT OF MY GARAGE IN MARCH OF 2016. I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND BEGAN TO PUSH THE GAS TO BACK OUT. THE CAR ENGINE REVVED LOUDLY AND THE CAR SHOT OUT OF THE GARAGE. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THINKING I POSSIBLY HAD MY FOOT ON THE WRONG PEDAL (EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE), I LOOKED DOWN AT MY FEET AND VERIFIED THAT MY FOOT WAS INDEED ON THE BRAKE AND NOT THE GAS PEDAL. I THEN PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT SLOW DOWN; IT CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED. AT THIS POINT, I HAD GONE DOWN MY…”
NHTSA complaint #10852998, 2016 · crash

Engine And Engine Cooling 4

“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and was repaired; however, the failure recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the certified mechanic, and an unknown repair was completed. The contact was unsure of the repair that was completed. After having the vehicle repaired a second time, while attempting to accelerate, the instrument panel was flashing the check engine and the oil light warning lights. The vehicle decelerated, and there was black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The…”
NHTSA complaint #11675808, 2024

“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter and spark plugs were faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the parts were replaced; however, soon after the repairs, while her husband was driving 40 MPH, the transmission started slipping and failed to shift properly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact’s husband was able to drive the vehicle to the residence and then the vehicle was towed to the same dealer for a second diagnostic test. The…”
NHTSA complaint #11647908, 2024

“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed at night, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated approximately a second before the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to a spun bearing inside the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11495382, 2022

Steering 4 1 crash 1 death

“DRIVER WAS IN MIDDLE LANE DRIVING AROUND 55 MPH. FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CAR BEGAN FLIPPING WHILE STILL IN THE ROADWAY, EVENTUALLY HIT A GUARD RAIL AND CONTINUED FLIPPING. DRIVER WAS EJECTED AND KILLED. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED...UPDATED 11/13/15 *BF .....UPDATED 12/23/15 *BF UPDATED 1/11/2015*JS UPDATED 9/17/2017*CN”
NHTSA complaint #10679343, 2014 · crash · 1 death(s)

“THE CAR STOPS - ANYWHERE - AND WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT IT RESUMES.”
NHTSA complaint #11350304, 2020

“CAR WILL NOT STEER STRAIGHT,PULLS TO THE LEFT AND WHEN YOU CORRECT IT OVERSTEERS TO THE RIGHT HAVE HAD IT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TWICE,FIRST TIME THEY MADE A SLIGHT TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS IN SPEC.SECOND TIME,HAD THE SERVICE MANAGER DRIVE THE CAR AND TESTED IT AND TOLD ME EVERYTHING IS IN SPEC.HE SAID IT HAS ELECTRONIC ASSISTED STEERING AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET USED TO IT. WAS AT THE DEALER ON MONDAY AND TOLD THE SALESMAN THAT SOLD ME THE CAR THAT IT HAS NOT GOTTEN ANY BETTER BUT SEEMS TO BE WORSE. HE HAD NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN HAVE ME DRIVE A 2017 FORTE EX AND IF I…”
NHTSA complaint #10972130, 2017

Structure 4 1 crash 1 injury

“I WAS DRIVING ON A GRAVEL ROAD A LITTLE TO FAST AND MY CAR STARTED TO SLIDE FROM SIDE TO SIDE I TRIED TO GAIN CONTROL BUT COULDN'T AND ENDED UP HITTING A METAL BRIDGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THEY SHOULD HAVE. MY WHOLE FRONT RIGHT IN IS DAMAGED AND THE SPEED I WAS GOING THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE WENT OFF!.”
NHTSA complaint #11341498, 2020 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I purchased a 2015 Kia Forte5 car (Pearl White) used but I noticed the paint peeling. It seems to be getting worse because the same spot is getting bigger and now a new spot on the top has appeared. I took the car to a body shop and was told it was a factory paint defect. I went online and saw that Kia and Hyundai had a factory issue with the pearl white paint for several years around my car year model. I was wondering if the paint chipping can be fixed or me compensated for the repairs. The damage is on the rear hatch and passenger side top of car next to sunroof. One is about a quarter size…”
NHTSA complaint #11556915, 2023

“THIN PAINT OR DEFECTIVE PAINT. PAINT CHIPS EASILY.”
NHTSA complaint #11019264, 2016

Seat Belts 3

“MY SEATBELT WOULD STICK, I WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING IT TO GO IN AND PULL OUT. EVENTUALLY IT JUST STOPPED ALL TOGETHER. SO NOW MY DRIVER SEAT IS UNABLE TO WEAR A SEATBELT BECAUSE IT WILL NOT GO IN AT ALL. IT HAPPENS WHILE BOTH IN MOTION OR WHILE SITTING. IT STARTED MESSING UP ABOUT 70,000 MILES, NOW I'M ON 76,458 AND UNABLE TO USE MY SEATBELTS WHICH IS A HAZARD AND AGAINST THE LAW. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11326338, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKING MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE LOCK COULD NOT BE IMMEDIATELY UNLOCKED WHEN PRESSING THE BUTTON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RIO KIA (925 BARTOW RD, LAKELAND, FL), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11280372, 2019

“I PURCHASED THIS USED VEHICLE TWO WEEKS AGO. I NOTICED THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT HAS ABOUT A 1-INCH FRAY ON IT. I ASKED MY SALESPERSON TO CHECK IF IT WAS COVERED UNDER KIA'S "BUMPER TO BUMPER" WARRANTY. HE CHECKED WITH HIS MISHAWAKA INDIANA KIA DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOOK A PICTURE AND TOLD ME HE WOULD SUBMIT IT TO HIS BOSS. TWO DAYS LATER, HE LEFT ME A MESSAGE SAYING HIS BOSS WAS "DECLINING" TO REPLACE THE BELT BECAUSE IT WAS FRAYED. THAT IS EXACTLY WHY I WAS ASKING IT BE FIXED. I'VE OWNED HONDAS FOR 25+ Y…”
NHTSA complaint #10851931, 2016

Forward Collision Avoidance 2 1 injury

“My car stopped while I was driving and I had a catastrophic engine failure. I had to use my engine warranty and also out of pocket pay. I want to issue a warning to the dealer who sold me this vehicle. And I want a reimbursement because I recently purchased the vehicle/”
NHTSA complaint #11633215, 2024 · 1 injury(ies)

“AIRBAG WARNING IS ON, BUTTONS/CONTROL OF THE WHEEL DONT WORK, CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. MOTOR SHAKES A LOT. WE GOT THIS CAR 2-3 WEEKS AGO LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHEN WE GOT IT FROM THE DEALER. IM NOT AN EXPERT BUT I THINK THAT SOMETHING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY... IM DO APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE”
NHTSA complaint #11527179, 2023

Tires 2

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE EQUIPPED WITH NEXEN CP671 TIRES, SIZE: P195/65R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE AND BEADS SEPARATED FROM THE RIM. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,500.”
NHTSA complaint #10925374, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE EQUIPPED WITH NEXEN N5000 TIRES, SIZE: 215/45ZR/17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THE BLOWOUT AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS AND THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES HAD BUBBLES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1…”
NHTSA complaint #10839863, 2015

Visibility 2

“REAR WINDOW SHATTERED OVERNIGHT FOR NO REASON. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10679790, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER CLOSING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR, A LOUD ABNORMAL EXPLOSION NOISE EMITTED FROM THE BACK SEAT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED AND GLASS SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108.”
NHTSA complaint #10654462, 2014

Wheels 2

“I was driving and the rear wheel broke off rendering the vehicle not able to be driven and at the same time If I had been on the highway, I could have been killed. In addition 2 wheel bearings were also been found to be defective. When I called NISSAN, the agents stated that this was not the concern of NISSAN and would not pay for the defective parts.”
NHTSA complaint #11461688, 2021

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FAILED AND EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED A SECOND TIME, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SUFFERED ANOTHER BLOWOUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME AND THE CONTACT NOTED BLISTERING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES. THE TIRES EXPERIENCED ANOTHER BLOWOUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE…”
NHTSA complaint #10984716, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO HER BEING UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO STEVE LANDERS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (401 COLONEL GLENN PLAZA LOOP, LITTLE ROCK, AR), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.”
NHTSA complaint #11064560, 2018

Visibility/Wiper 1

“GOT IN CAR SHUT DOOR AND REAR WINDOW EXPLODED OUTWARD, NOT HOT OR VERY COLD THIS DAY WAS NEAR 50 DEG. THIS WINDOW GLASS LOOKS TO BE VERY THIN IMO. IN MY 50 YRS. OF MANY CARS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SUCH A THING HAS HAPPENED.”
NHTSA complaint #11194982, 2019

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2015 Kia Forte draws about 21.5 complaints per year on the road, ranking 3 of 14 among the Kia Forte model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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