KIA Forte Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 178 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the KIA Forte across 15 model years. The 2017 model year has the most (44). The words owners use most often: “turn signal” (12% of reports).
- 178exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Turn signal: mentioned in 22 of 178 complaints (12%)
- Low beam: mentioned in 14 of 178 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 85 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 178 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 4 an injury.
KIA Forte exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Forte | 2 | 8% | — |
| 2023 Forte | 3 | 5% | — |
| 2022 Forte | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2021 Forte | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2020 Forte | 1 | 1% | 100 |
| 2019 Forte | 15 | 10% | 39,000 |
| 2018 Forte | 6 | 4% | 33,937 |
| 2017 Forte | 44 | 14% | 40,289 |
| 2016 Forte | 10 | 7% | 99,000 |
| 2015 Forte | 13 | 5% | 67,700 |
| 2014 Forte | 22 | 5% | 74,500 |
| 2013 Forte | 14 | 7% | 70,333 |
| 2012 Forte | 23 | 8% | 63,000 |
| 2011 Forte | 8 | 5% | 110,000 |
| 2010 Forte | 15 | 7% | 67,750 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Exterior lighting:headlights
Model years: 2019
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Kia Forte vehicles equipped with LED headlights. The headlights may not have been manufactured with the correct low beam aiming. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the headlights are not properly aimed, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlight aiming and replace the headlights, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC171.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2010
Problem: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The Headlights and ALL exterior lights FLICKER or TURN OFF ENTIRELY while driving, especially when touching the Multi-Function Turn Signal Stalk to signal a turn. This can and HAS happened when the Headlights are switched on any mode: MARKER LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, or AUTO. I can be driving, Headlights…
I own a 2017 Kia Forte that has a recurring problem with water intrusion in the rear tail light assemblies. This issue was previously repaired around 2018 under Kiaâs service action related to moisture and water entering the rear combination lamps, but the problem has returned. Moisture and water…
Power loss, engine failure. Will not start
The headlights and dashboard lose power intermittently while driving at highway speeds, specifically triggered by using the turn signal. This is ongoing since January when I started having to take it for a recalls.More things kept happening. I kept having to have more repairs. Every time I went, I…
Have to replace running lights every 4-6 months on both of my headlights. Happened every 4-6 months since I got the car in 2017
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Fortes have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 178 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the KIA Forte. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Forte exterior lighting?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the KIA Forte?
The most frequent phrase is “turn signal”, in 22 of 178 complaints, followed by “low beam” (14).
Other KIA Forte problems
- Engine problems (1,130)
- Electrical System problems (325)
- Air Bags problems (294)
- Power Train problems (218)
- Steering problems (166)
- Service Brakes problems (156)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (116)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (110)
See all KIA Forte problems.