2014 Kia FORTE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
440 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
79,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 262 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 214 of 440 complaints (48.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 69 | 15.7% |
| Braking behavior | 42 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 29 | 6.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 26 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 1.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 214 |
| Steering | 63 |
| Air Bags | 61 |
| Electrical System | 56 |
| Unknown Or Other | 50 |
| Service Brakes | 26 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 24 |
| Exterior Lighting | 18 |
Engine: 214; Steering: 63; Air Bags: 61; Electrical System: 56; Unknown Or Other: 50; Service Brakes: 26; Fuel/Propulsion System: 24; Exterior Lighting: 18
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 42 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 23 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 53 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 54 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 64 |
| 150,000 and above | 26 |
Under 25,000: 42; 25,000 to 49,999: 23; 50,000 to 74,999: 53; 75,000 to 99,999: 54; 100,000 to 149,999: 64; 150,000 and above: 26
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (64). 178 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 23 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 42 |
| 2019 | 60 |
| 2020 | 49 |
| 2021 | 82 |
| 2022 | 38 |
| 2023 | 42 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 17 |
2013: 1; 2014: 23; 2015: 21; 2016: 12; 2017: 5; 2018: 42; 2019: 60; 2020: 49; 2021: 82; 2022: 38; 2023: 42; 2024: 21; 2025: 27; 2026: 17
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 69 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 42 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 29 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10579471 · 2014-04-13 (April 13, 2014)
TURNED ONTO A FAIRLY NARROW STREET WITH CARS PARKED ON BOTH SIDES; I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE MIDDLE OF STREET UNTIL I PASSED ALL PARKED CARS; ATTEMPTED TO MOVE BACK INTO MY LANE AND STEERING WHEEL FROZE AND STARTED JERKING; I WAS HEADED TOWARD A STOP SIGN POLE; I JUMPED THE CURB AND SCRAPPED RIGHT FROM BUMPER AND TIRE RIM; IGNITION SHUT OFF. TOOK CAR TO DEALER; THEY KEPT IT FOR TESTING AND INSPECTION FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND FOUND NOTHING; WE WANTED TO EXCHANGE IT BUT THEY REFUSED SINCE THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH IT; WE TOOK …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10579471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10703084 · 2015-04-01 (April 1, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WITH A STEEP INCLINE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP OR TURN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED BEFORE WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OR WHEN THE VEHICLE DROVE THROUGH WATER. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10703084 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10549909 · 2013-10-28 (October 28, 2013)
I WAS IN A THREE VEHICLE ACCIDENT AS THE THIRD CAR. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND IN TURN CAUSED THAT VEHICLE TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. I HAD THE BRAKES PRESSED DOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND STILL COULDN'T STOP IN TIME TO PREVENT IMPACT, THERE WERE NOT EVEN ANY SKID MARKS ON THE PAVEMENT. THE IMPACT WAS SO STRONG THAT MY BACK SEATS FOLDED DOWN AND THE THINGS I HAD IN MY TRUNK FLEW FORWARD AND HIT THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SEAT. I HAD GLASS BOTTLES OF DRINKS IN THE TRUNK AND THEY WERE ALL BUSTED IN THE FLOORBOARD FROM BEING THROWN …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10549909 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10576713 · 2014-04-02 (April 2, 2014)
ON TWO OCCASIONS I HAVE SMELLED GAS WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE DATE ABOVE IS THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST WAS AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 3-4 DAYS AFTER A SNOW STORM IN LATE 2013. THE BRAKES VIBRATE WHEN STOPPING ON A ROUGH SURFACE. KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS ATTRIBUTES THIS TO THE DESIGN OF THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM AND APPARENTLY DOES NOT CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM. ON ONE OCCASION - AGAIN DURING A PERIOD OF COLD WEATHER IN LATE 2013 - THE GEARS GROUND WHEN TURNING AT MAXIMUM ROTATION TO PARALLEL PARK THE CAR IN A TIGHT SPOT, A COMMON OCCURRENCE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10576713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10619114 · 2014-08-05 (August 5, 2014)
ON 2 OCCASIONS THE CAR HAS STALLED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN.THE FIRST TIME IT WAS IN APRIL 2014.2ND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS AROUND JULY 29TH 2014. I FIRST REPORT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BACK IN MARCH WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A OIL CHANGE. THEY WOULD NOT PUT IT DOWN ON THE PAPER WORK TO LOOK AT IT SINCE THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEN REPORTED IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS KIA. THE NEW DEALERSHIP DID PUT IT DOWN ON PAPERWORK. BUT SINCE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM,THEY WOULD NOT LOOK INTO IT FURTHER. ALSO HAVE REPO…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10619114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10661087 · 2014-11-26 (November 26, 2014)
ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 28TH, 2014 AT AROUND 7:45AM, MY 2014 KIA FORTE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AS I WAS DRIVING. IT WAS A MOST TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, IN THE TURNING LANE UNDER AN OVERPASS. I HAD TO WAIT OVER AN HOUR FOR KIA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEREFORE THE POLICE HAD TO CALL IN A SEPARATE TOW COMPANY SO THAT I WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO ILLEGALLY BLOCK TRAFFIC. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP CAUSING THE 15 AMP FUSE TO BLOW. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 13,007 miles reported. Look up ODI 10661087 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10633424 · 2014-09-15 (September 15, 2014)
I DISCOVERED ALONG WITH OTHER KIA FORTE/K3 OWNERS THAT WHEN IT RAINS, WHETHER IT IS MODERATE OR HEAVY, MASSIVE WATER LEAKS INSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND NOT MOVE AN INCH AND STILL I FOUND WATER ALL OVER THE ENGINE(AFTER RAINY DAY), BATTERY TERMINAL, FUSE CASE, AIR FILTER CASE, AND MAJORITY OF LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE ROOM AS WELL. DEALER TOLD NOT TO WORRY, BUT I'VE HAD MANY CARS IN THE PAST THAT NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS FLAW. I'M AFRAID THIS CAN LEAD TO MASSIVE ENGINE/RUST POSSIBLY FIRE FROM MASSIVE WAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10633424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10712412 · 2015-04-23 (April 23, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V015000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND THE CONTACT HAD TO CALL ANOTHER DEALER TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND DID NOT ADDRESS THE RECALL CONCERN. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 6/3/15CN U…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10712412 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10563944 · 2014-02-12 (February 12, 2014)
THIS IS OUR 2ND 2014 KIA FORTE EX WITH NAVIGATION EVERYTHING TOP OF THE LINE... WELL THE FIRST ONE HAD A KNOCK IN THE MOTOR SO THE DEALERSHIP "EXCHANGED" IT AND THIS ONE THE SEAT TAKES ABOUT 5 MIN TO LOCK INTO PLACE AFTER YOU ADJUST IT AND YOU HAVE TO BE DRIVING FOR IT TO LOCK IN. THERE IS A KNOCK WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEELS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS KIA IS WORKING TO FIX IT & TRY NOT TO DRIVE IT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN... THE FUEL TANK KEEPS LEAKING AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED BUT THERE WORKING ON THAT TOO I'M SURE.... HAHA AFTER OUR CAR BEING IN THE SHO…
Owner-reported narrative. 90 miles reported. Look up ODI 10563944 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10875300 · 2016-06-20 (June 20, 2016)
INTERMITTENTLY, ON DAYS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT (110+) THE CAR WILL START UP WITH ALL SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, CANNOT SHIFT INTO GEAR WITHOUT PUSHING THE GEAR SHIFT OVERRIDE BUTTON, POWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK, SKID CONTROL ON, AND AC BLOWS HOT AIR. ONCE IT COOLS DOWN THE ISSUE STOPS AND WON'T PRESENT ITSELF AGAIN UNLESS VERY SPECIFIC CONDITIONS ARE MET. HAPPENED FIRST YEAR AFTER HAVING THE CAR, IN THE SUMMER. SERVICE CENTER COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. SUMMER YEAR 2, ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN, WITH PICTURES, SERVICE CENTER USED HEAT GUN TO REPRODU…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10875300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11085167 · 2018-04-15 (April 15, 2018)
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROX. 30 MPH AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH A RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL, I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE AT ALL. I STOOD ON THE BRAKES AND THEY REMAINED FIRM AND DID NOT GO DOWN. I REPEATED THIS 4 DIFFERENT TIMES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND THE CAR CONTINUED MOVING. I WAS GOING THROUGH THE RED LIGHT AND FORTUNATELY THE ON COMING TRAFFIC AS ABLE TO AVOID ME. AFTER CROSSING THE INTERSECTION I RAN IT INTO A GRASSY GRAVEL AREA WHERE IT FINALLY STOPPED.
Owner-reported narrative. 78,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11085167 at NHTSA ↗