The Lemon Index2011 Kia Forte. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 4
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Auto 6-spd | FWD | 25 / 35 / 29 | Regular | $2,150 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 25 / 34 / 28 | Regular | $2,200 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Auto 6-spd | FWD | 23 / 30 / 26 | Regular | $2,400 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 22 / 31 / 26 | Regular | $2,400 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,400 and 112,000 miles. Median 77,700, from 105 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 100,500 | 79,500–142,500 | 29 |
| Airbags | 65,500 | 17,500–94,800 | 24 |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 49,100 | 22,500–102,800 | 16 |
| Brakes | 130,000 | 85,000–273,000 | 7 |
| Electrical | 81,400 | 60,000–176,700 | 8 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Transmission & drivetrain | 28% |
| Airbags | 24% |
| Speed control | 24% |
| Brakes | 12% |
| Tires | 8% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 162 | 28 | 13 | 21 | 1 | 18 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 3
23V652000 Sep 2023 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip / Control Unit/Module
Defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy. 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, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number
18V363000 Jun 2018 Air Bags / Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Risk. 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.
Remedy. 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 install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia
16V070000 Feb 2016 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Cooling Unit And Lines
Defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Forte vehicles manufactured August 27, 2010, to November 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly manufactured, resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
Risk. If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. 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.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Hyundai and kia abs module fires | 2023 | – |
| Closed | Loss of motive power | 2022 | 2023 |
| Closed | Air bags may be disabled during crash | 2018 | 2019 |
Manufacturer communications 80
Kia filed 80 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Some vehicles experiencing no crank or start, mil lamp, harsh shifting, depressing the start/stop
- 6 spd a/t solenoid replacement multiple dtcs - this bulletin provides information relating
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Forte SW FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Forte Koup 2 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | No | No |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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