2015 Kia Forte recalls & problems

Recent owner complaints

• Oct 14, 2026Engine
  This is the report copy and reference number for 911. I have contacted Kia multiple times during lunch breaks sent emails, and they still are not responding even after photos were sent to them. They told me in 5 days I would here back form them an still Ive heard nothing.Reference # XXX The fire dep “# INCIDENT REPORT Reference #XXX **Vehicle Smoke Incident and 911 Emergency Call** **Date of Incident:** Monday, XXX **Time of 911 Call:** 10:11 a.m. **Location:** Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center [XXX] [XXX] **Vehicle Involved:** 2015 Kia Forte ### Description of Incident On Monday, XXX, at approximately 10:11 a.m., a 911 emergency call was placed regarding a 2015 Kia Forte that…
• Oct 14, 2026Engine
  On October the 14th, around 10:30 AM I noticed smoke coming from my car and acceleration was lost. The vehicle continued to smoke further. As I Had someone maneuver the car out of traffic into the parking lot.\n While reaching the parking lot, more smoke was noticed, so I dispatch the Riverside fire department. After one of the fire responders checked under the hood, they noticed that there was oil in various places, including the engine area and in the PAN underneath, they checked the oil and found oil still inside. Unit. The fire man check , both told me to not drive the car any further because if I did it would catch on fire , I then had the car towed to my home address.
• Jun 27, 2026Engine
  Vehicle has developed a severe knocking during acceleration, that stops during deceleration, and returns when in idle. I'm sure it is poison slap. I know there is an extension warranty, but the dealer says my car doesn't qualify. Then NHTSA has the SC200 safety recall. I need help with this car. My engine is failing. Can you help me?
• Sep 5, 2026Engine
  While driving my 2015 Kia Forte5 at approximately 80 mph on GA-400, I was traveling in the far-left lane when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly lost acceleration and engine power. Pressing the accelerator produced little to no response. There was no gradual reduction in speed or sufficient warning that the vehicle was about to lose propulsion. Because I was in the far-left lane, I had to maneuver across approximately four lanes of highway traffic to reach the shoulder. Fortunately, this occurred at night when traffic was relatively light, allowing me to get the vehicle to safety. GA-400 normally carries very heavy traffic during the daytime, and I believe the same sudden loss of…
• Jul 5, 2026Engine
  Recently had oil change . Right after B oil change engine light came on, a solid yellow light car is driving rough it’s a 2015 Kia Forte. Have an appointment Monday 7/13/2026 to have dealer to do a B diagnostic. The same place I had oil change
• Jul 3, 2026Engine
  respectfully submit this correspondence to request formal assistance regarding my 2015 Kia Forte EX, a vehicle covered under the class settlement. The vehicle is exhibiting severe symptoms consistent with KSDS‑related engine failure, yet the required diagnostic protocol has not been completed by the servicing dealership. The KSDS software update was performed in May 2022, and the vehicle currently has only 92,000 miles on the odometer, placing it well within the settlement’s mileage parameters. Despite this, the dealership has failed to follow KSDS procedures and has not produced any written documentation of its findings. All communication with the dealership has occurred exclusively by…
• Jun 29, 2024 · 85,000 milesElectrical system
  The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated that an anti-theft protection software update was performed in 2024. After the update was performed, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly turned off without warning. The transmission was shifted into neutral(N) and restarted to continue driving. The vehicle was reset and self-corrected after being restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Fred Anderson Toyota of Raleigh (9101 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617); and the dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not…
• Jun 2, 2026Engine
  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 a fire. It's unsafe to drive and from other reviews I've seen several other Kia drivers have…

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

• DP22003 · opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023Loss of Motive Power
  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003)…
• EA21003 · opened Dec 22, 2021 · closed Feb 5, 2024 · led to recall 23V877Engine Fires
  On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement. Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is…