2014 KIA Forte Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Forte years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 16 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 444 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 KIA Forte. That is the most of any Forte model year in the database (16 years). The most reported problem area is engine (216 complaints, 49%), typically at around 93,500 miles. Complaints mention 32 crashes, 36 fires, 29 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
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- 444owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 32complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2014 KIA Forte problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 216 | 49% | 93,500 | “engine started” (7%) | — |
| Steering problems | 64 | 14% | 60,100 | “steering coupler” (28%) | $550 |
| Air Bags problems | 63 | 14% | 83,000 | “air bag” (37%) | — |
| Electrical System problems | 57 | 13% | 71,500 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 51 | 11% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 26 | 6% | 63,533 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 24 | 5% | 86,900 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 22 | 5% | 74,500 | — | — |
| Power Train | 18 | 4% | 93,006 | — | — |
| Structure | 18 | 4% | 10,492 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 14 | 3% | 66,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 | 3% | 96,210 | — | — |
| Tires | 12 | 3% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 11 | 2% | 20,500 | — | — |
| Seats | 8 | 2% | 14,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 5 | 1% | 27,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 5 | 1% | 95,600 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 1% | 96,253 | — | — |
| Firerelated | 3 | 1% | 148,391 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 1% | 44,250 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 0% | 249,000 | — | — |
| Traction Control System | 2 | 0% | 88,250 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 0% | 1,050 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 0% | 100 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0% | 3,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2014 KIA Forte recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
Risk: If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC158.
Electrical system
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kia Forte vehicles manufactured December 5, 2012, to April 17, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the cooling fan resistor may overheat and melt.
Risk: If the cooling fan resistor overheats and melts, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and for vehicles produced from December 5, 2012 to January 27, 2014, dealers will replace the cooling fan resistor and multi-fuse unit. For vehicles produced from January 28, 2014 to April 17, 2014, dealers will replace the multi-fuse unit only. Owners of vehicles with a 1.8L engine will also have the engine control unit software updated. The recall began on February 20, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC113.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Engine Fires (EA21003) — opened Dec 22, 2021, closed Feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V877.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
Odometer was tampered with dealership set the mileage at 82,000 the actual mileage is 153,000
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…
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…
There is a bad flexible steering coupler. Caused steering wheel to click and lose responsiveness, shakes going over bumps. The problem was diagnosed and confirmed by the dealer Vehicle was inspected by dealer There were no warning signs other than the wheel click and losing responsiveness.
Other KIA Forte years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Forte | 26 | 0 |
| 2023 Forte | 65 | 3 |
| 2022 Forte | 28 | 1 |
| 2021 Forte | 69 | 2 |
| 2020 Forte | 78 | 0 |
| 2019 Forte | 147 | 2 |
| 2018 Forte | 136 | 3 |
| 2017 Forte | 305 | 3 |
| 2016 Forte | 136 | 1 |
| 2015 Forte | 260 | 1 |
| 2014 | 444 | 3 |
| 2013 Forte | 195 | 5 |
| 2012 Forte | 292 | 4 |
| 2011 Forte | 153 | 3 |
| 2010 Forte | 221 | 3 |
| 2009 Forte | 1 | 0 |
See all KIA Forte problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
Similar KIA models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2014 KIA Forte?
Owners most often report engine, steering, air bags problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 216 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2014 KIA Forte?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2014 KIA Forte a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Forte model years, the 2014 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.