2011 Kia Forte: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 213 complaints
213
Total Complaints
81,300mi
Median Mileage
Engine
Top Issue
44
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
37,250
25th Percentile
81,300
Median Mileage
110,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Engine
45
Air Bags
34
Power Train
17
Electrical System
16
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
16
Unknown Or Other
13
Service Brakes
11
Vehicle Speed Control
10
Exterior Lighting
8
Body
7
Severity Assessment
44
Crashes
22
Fires
48
Injuries
2
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA MOTOR FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE FURTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPL..."
"MY MOTHER PURCHASED A NEW KIA FORTE A FEW DAYS AGO. CAME HOME FROM FOOD SHOPPING OPENED THE TRUNK TO TAKE OUT HER GROCERIES. SHE BENT OVER REACHED IN THE TRUNK TO REMOVE A BAG AND THE TRUNK SLAMMED DOWN ON THE BACK OF HER NECK CAUSING SEVERE BRUISING. I WENT OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG . THE CAR WAS..."
"CAR WILL NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY UNDER MANUAL."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Engine
45 complaints
25th: 79,000 mi
Median: 105,945 mi
75th: 143,750 mi
Air Bags
34 complaints
25th: 22,250 mi
Median: 65,500 mi
75th: 94,313 mi
Power Train
17 complaints
25th: 38,500 mi
Median: 59,110 mi
75th: 102,750 mi
Electrical System
16 complaints
25th: 70,000 mi
Median: 81,360 mi
75th: 130,167 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
16 complaints
25th: 85,000 mi
Median: 130,000 mi
75th: 200,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 23
GA: 23
FL: 17
OH: 15
TX: 13
PA: 10
NY: 8
AZ: 8
WI: 8
VA: 6
Who Files Complaints?
3.3%
Original Owners
96.7%
Second+ Owners
Kia Forte — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (3)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Campaign 18V363000 | 01/06/2018
If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to in
Cooling Unit And Lines
Campaign 16V070000 | 05/02/2016
If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission cooler hose, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC129.
Control Unit/Module
Campaign 23V652000 | 25/09/2023
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2
Extend Your Engine Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
- Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
- Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
- Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
- Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
- Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage
Compare Kia Forte
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28