U.S. public vehicle records

2011 Kia FORTE KOUP: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

8 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

78,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2011 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 8 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 8 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Engine operation	2	25.0%

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.

Engine

Vehicle Speed Control

Air Bags

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

Fuel/Propulsion System

Power Train

Engine: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 0 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.

2017

2018

2019

2017: 5; 2018: 1; 2019: 2

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10971856 · 2017-04-11 (April 11, 2017)

WHEN I'M DRIVING MY CAR IT JERKS FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO TURN OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. 2011 KIA FORTE KOUP.. UPDATED 04/13/17 *BF *CN

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10971856 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10972326 · 2017-04-13 (April 13, 2017)

I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE A COOLANT LINE RECALL INSTALLED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND LATER A MECHANIC REMARKED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A SERIOUS "KNOCK" AND BOTH MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE EITHER NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. IT ONLY HAS 81K MILES. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN I ASKED ABOUT POSSIBLE TRADE IN VALUE I WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD ONLY GIVE ME $500. NOW I SEE THERE ARE RECALLS IN MOTION FROM BOTH HYUNDAI AND KIA FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL DURING OPERATION. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE RECALL AFFECTIN…

Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10972326 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11021604 · 2017-09-05 (September 5, 2017)

UPON ENTERING A HIGHWAY, A KNOCK OCCURRED AND AS RPM DROPPED THE KNOCKING SUBSIDED. NEXT DAY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND WHILE WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, VEHICLE STALLED AND RPM DROP TO ZERO. CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON AN ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE "LOCKED UP"

Owner-reported narrative. 100,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11021604 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11035252 · 2017-10-20 (October 20, 2017)

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 20000 MILES CODE# P200A INTAKE MANIFOLD SENSOR

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11035252 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11054367 · 2017-12-14 (December 14, 2017)

MY CAR BROKE DOWN IN DECEMBER 2015, WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY FIX IT. I PAID OVER 1000 USD. 2 MONTHS LATER THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAME REASON MY CAR BROKE DOWN COUPLE MONTS BEFORE THAT RECALL. UNTIL THIS DAY I HAVE TRIED TO GET MY MONEY BACK AND THEY DONT WANT TO GIVE ME A REFUND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELEY DUE TO THE HOSE OF THE TRANSMISION FLUID. 04/01/2021: ODI # CHANGED FROM 11054837 TO 11054367 AS PART OF ROUTINE DATA CLEANUP.

Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 11054367 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11119780 · 2018-08-13 (August 13, 2018)

HELLO, LONG STORY SHORT, KIA HAS FAULTY AIRBAGS I HAVE A VERY PREGNANT WIFE. THEY HAVE YET TO DIE RIGHT BY THE CUSTOMER AND OFF SAFE VEHICLES TO REPLACE THESE UNTIL A FIX IS FOUND. I WENT TO KIA IN TURNERSVILLE NJ TO HAVE A HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACED. AT THIS TIME I REQUESTED THE TECHNICIAN TO RUN THE VIN FOR AN AIRBAG RECALL I SAW ONLINE, THIS WAS IN JUNE. HE CAME BACK SAYING HE CHECKED AND IT IS ALL CLEAR AND I ASKED HIM TO CHECK AGAIN MAINLY BECAUSE SHE IS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT. ONCE AGAIN TOLD IT WAS CLEAR. TODAY I RECEIVED SOMETHING IN THE MA…

Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11119780 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11183518 · 2019-03-01 (March 1, 2019)

ONE MORNING I STARTED THE CAR AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR ALSO MADE A KNOCKING/TICKING SOUND THAT WAS NOT USUAL AND THE ENGINE HAD AN ABNORMAL SOUND TO IT WHEN STATIONED AND IN MOTION. IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE, ESPECIALLY AS IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER RIGHT AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON. WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM AND FOUND OUT THAT THE LIGHT WAS FOR A CODE ABOUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD (BUTTERFLY) VALVES NOT OPENING/CLOSING PROPERLY. IT LATER ENDED UP BEING COMPLETE INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE CONNECTING …

Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11183518 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11185115 · 2019-03-08 (March 8, 2019)

MY CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. FULLY STOPPED, MY CAR IS ON 1000RPMS, I WILL BE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED AND MY RPM SHOOTS ALL THE WAY UP.

Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11185115 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

18V363000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module

Reported: 2018-06-01 (June 1, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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 customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

23V652000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module

Reported: 2023-09-25 (September 25, 2023)

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.

Consequence: 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 for this recall is SC284.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

8 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

100.0%Usable mileage8 / 8 records

100.0%Valid incident date8 / 8 records

100.0%Valid filing date8 / 8 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates8 / 8 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
Engine	654.5% ODI 10950294 · 54,798 mi THROTTLE BODY ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT PART DEFECTIVE. INTERMITTENT NO START. VEHICLE STATIONARY. WILL JUST CRANK AND NOT START AFTER SITTING FOR AWHILE. ONCE IT STARTS USUALLY GOOD UNTIL VEHICLE SITS FOR AWHILE THEN IT'S DIFFICULT TO START AGAIN.. ORIGINAL ITEM REPLACED MAR 24 2016. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING NOW IN FEB 17 WITH NEW PART. WAS TOLD THAT THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH OTHER CUSTOMERS BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT CARSMART AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR IN LOGAN UTAH. Look up ODI 10950294 at NHTSA ↗	337.5% ODI 10972326 · 81,000 mi I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE A COOLANT LINE RECALL INSTALLED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND LATER A MECHANIC REMARKED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A SERIOUS "KNOCK" AND BOTH MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE EITHER NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. IT ONLY HAS 81K MILES. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN I ASKED ABOUT POSSIBLE TRADE IN VALUE I WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD ONLY GIVE ME $500. NOW I SEE THERE ARE RECALLS IN MOTION FROM BOTH HYUNDAI AND KIA FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL DURING OPERATION. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE RECALL AFFECTIN… Look up ODI 10972326 at NHTSA ↗	1392.9% ODI 11022093 · 84,000 mi BOUGHT MY CAR USED FROM A DEALERSHIP AND AM THE SECOND OWNER. CAR ONLY HAD 36K MILES WHEN PURCHASED. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO SOLD ME A BOGUS WARRANTY FOR $2,995.00 FOR 36 MONTHS 60K MILES WHEN THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY GAVE ME 5 YEARS/60K. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THIS KNOCKING STARTED IN THE ENGINE AND IT WAS LOUD SO I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD HAD IT TOWED HOME. AFTER A FEW PHONE CALLS I HAD IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. I'M PRETTY PISSED ABOUT … Look up ODI 11022093 at NHTSA ↗	1275.0% ODI 11052835 · 57,971 mi ON 10/13/17, MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FL TURNPIKE FROM COLLEGE WHEN HIS ENGINE SEIZED. LUCKY HE WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. HAD CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA ORLANDO W DEALER, FOUND OUT THE ENGINE ROD WAS BLOWN THROUGH TOP AND BOTTOM OF BLOCK. ENGINE WAS REPLACED WITH A SHORT BLOCK AND REUSED PARTS. DURING TEST DRIVE CAR STALLED DUE TO A TIMING CHAIN FAILING. REPLACED TIMING CHAIN, THEN THE IGNITION COIL WENT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. NEXT, THE CAR BEGAN TO MISFIRE AND THEY REPLACE ALL 4 FUEL INJECTORS. THEN TOLD CYLINDER 2 FAILED T… Look up ODI 11052835 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 11109934 · 65,000 mi I HAVE THE FORTE KOUP SX TGDI TRIM. I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 75-80 MPH. I NOTICED I WAS NOT ABLE TO GAIN ENOUGH SPEED TO PASS SLOWER TRAFFIC. ALSO NOTICED THAT ONCE SPEED SLOWED TO 65-70 MPH THE WAS NO POWER WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. HOWEVER THE CAR STILL WAS ABLE TO REGAIN SPEED AND MAINTAIN ONCE DESIRED SPEED WAS REACHED. I THEN HEARD A NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. IT SOUNDED AS IF SOMETHING WAS BINDING UP. I ASSUMED IT WAS THE TURBO. I PULLED OFF AN EXIT SHUT THE CAR OFF. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A MINUTE AND THEN STARTED IT. THE ENGINE … Look up ODI 11109934 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	2100.0% ODI 11355300 · 55,000 mi THE MOTOR BLEW AT 55,000 MILES Look up ODI 11355300 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	19.1% ODI 11165023 I RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE THE MOST RECENT RECALL WITH THE AIR BAG FIXED. AFTER THE REPAIR OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF A MALFUNCTION OCCURRED DURING THE REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THE AIR BAG MODULE AND CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. Look up ODI 11165023 at NHTSA ↗	112.5% ODI 11119780 · 94,000 mi HELLO, LONG STORY SHORT, KIA HAS FAULTY AIRBAGS I HAVE A VERY PREGNANT WIFE. THEY HAVE YET TO DIE RIGHT BY THE CUSTOMER AND OFF SAFE VEHICLES TO REPLACE THESE UNTIL A FIX IS FOUND. I WENT TO KIA IN TURNERSVILLE NJ TO HAVE A HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACED. AT THIS TIME I REQUESTED THE TECHNICIAN TO RUN THE VIN FOR AN AIRBAG RECALL I SAW ONLINE, THIS WAS IN JUNE. HE CAME BACK SAYING HE CHECKED AND IT IS ALL CLEAR AND I ASKED HIM TO CHECK AGAIN MAINLY BECAUSE SHE IS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT. ONCE AGAIN TOLD IT WAS CLEAR. TODAY I RECEIVED SOMETHING IN THE MA… Look up ODI 11119780 at NHTSA ↗	17.1% ODI 11101078 · 109,381 mi THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON ON THIS VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, AT 109,381 MILES. I KNOW THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON, AND I READ THAT THERE'S A RECALL NOW, BUT I JUST CHECKED THE VIN BOTH HERE AND ON KIA'S OWNERS SITE, AND BOTH SAY ZERO RECALLS. Look up ODI 11101078 at NHTSA ↗	212.5% ODI 11120085 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA FORTE KOUP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LIFETIME KIA (4170 E U.S. HWY 64 ALT, MURPHY, NORTH CAROLINA 28906) WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD RECEIVE A SECOND LETTER ONCE THE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE A… Look up ODI 11120085 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	19.1% ODI 11090426 · 150,000 mi MY SEAT BELT DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT CLICK INTO THE BUCKLE WHICH MAKES IT HARD NOT BE PULLED OVER AND VERY UNSAFE. AS WELL AS, MY LIGHTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR DO NOT TURN OFF THEY ARE ALWAYS ILLUMINATED ONCE STARTING THE CAR. MY BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT EVERY SO OFTEN, AS WELL AS A FEW OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ALSO MY BRAKES SOMETIMES WON'T COME UP OFF THE FLOOR OR WILL STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION EVEN WHILE BEING PRESSED. THIS IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE. Look up ODI 11090426 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	17.1% ODI 11104939 · 95,000 mi MY CAR STARTED OVER HEATING AT STOP AND GO TRAFFIC SO I CHECKED EVERYTHING AND FOUND OUT MY COOLANT FAN RESISTER WAS MELTING..I CHECKED TO SEE IF IT WAS A RECALL ON THAT PART AND IT WAS BUT I DONT THINK IT WAS CHANGE BECAUSE EVERYTHING THE RECALL WEB SITE SAID WOULD HAPPEN DID. Look up ODI 11104939 at NHTSA ↗	212.5% ODI 11174951 · 80,000 mi THE CAR STARTED DRIVING SLUGGISH OUT OF NOWHERE AND I TOOK IT IN TO A MECHANIC WHO TOOK IT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE WHERE IT ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED SMOKING AND THE ENGINE SEIZED UP WHILE IN MOTION. THE CAR HAD ITS OIL CHANGE AND WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. Look up ODI 11174951 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 11109934 · 65,000 mi I HAVE THE FORTE KOUP SX TGDI TRIM. I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 75-80 MPH. I NOTICED I WAS NOT ABLE TO GAIN ENOUGH SPEED TO PASS SLOWER TRAFFIC. ALSO NOTICED THAT ONCE SPEED SLOWED TO 65-70 MPH THE WAS NO POWER WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. HOWEVER THE CAR STILL WAS ABLE TO REGAIN SPEED AND MAINTAIN ONCE DESIRED SPEED WAS REACHED. I THEN HEARD A NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. IT SOUNDED AS IF SOMETHING WAS BINDING UP. I ASSUMED IT WAS THE TURBO. I PULLED OFF AN EXIT SHUT THE CAR OFF. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A MINUTE AND THEN STARTED IT. THE ENGINE … Look up ODI 11109934 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Seat Belts	218.2% ODI 11090426 · 150,000 mi MY SEAT BELT DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT CLICK INTO THE BUCKLE WHICH MAKES IT HARD NOT BE PULLED OVER AND VERY UNSAFE. AS WELL AS, MY LIGHTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR DO NOT TURN OFF THEY ARE ALWAYS ILLUMINATED ONCE STARTING THE CAR. MY BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT EVERY SO OFTEN, AS WELL AS A FEW OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ALSO MY BRAKES SOMETIMES WON'T COME UP OFF THE FLOOR OR WILL STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION EVEN WHILE BEING PRESSED. THIS IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE. Look up ODI 11090426 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	212.5% ODI 11120085 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA FORTE KOUP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LIFETIME KIA (4170 E U.S. HWY 64 ALT, MURPHY, NORTH CAROLINA 28906) WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD RECEIVE A SECOND LETTER ONCE THE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE A… Look up ODI 11120085 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control	19.1% ODI 11105081 · 102,000 mi THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY ROLL BACK INTO THE DOOR FRAME OF THE CAR AFTER TAKING THEM OFF. YOU HAVE TO JERK THE BELT UP AND DOWN CLOSE TO TWENTY TIMES TO GET THEM TO RETRACT. ALSO, I'VE NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T FUNCTION LIKE NORMAL. IT ONLY WORKS ONCE IN A WHILE. I HAVE TO TRY TO SET MY SPEED MANY TIMES IF IT EVER GETS IT TO WORK. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS NOW. Look up ODI 11105081 at NHTSA ↗	225.0% ODI 10971856 · 300 mi WHEN I'M DRIVING MY CAR IT JERKS FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO TURN OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. 2011 KIA FORTE KOUP.. UPDATED 04/13/17 BF CN Look up ODI 10971856 at NHTSA ↗	17.1% ODI 11073077 · 25 mi ON THE WAY TO A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT WITH KIA FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THE CAR STALLED ON A CITY STREET. IT STARTED ROUGH AFTER AND THEN STALLED AGAIN 2 MILES AFTER THAT ON A CURVED CITY INTERSECTION. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AFTER THE SECOND STALL AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. METAL SHAVINGS WERE DISCOVERED IN THE ENGINE AND OIL. THE ENGINE ALSO SHOWED DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD AND TIMING CHAIN FROM THE METAL SHAVINGS. THE CAR NEEDS THE ENGINE REPLACED, BUT A NEW OR USED ENGINE IS NOT AVAILABLE AND I WAS ADVISED THAT A NEW E… Look up ODI 11073077 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Fuel/Propulsion System	19.1% ODI 10950294 · 54,798 mi THROTTLE BODY ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT PART DEFECTIVE. INTERMITTENT NO START. VEHICLE STATIONARY. WILL JUST CRANK AND NOT START AFTER SITTING FOR AWHILE. ONCE IT STARTS USUALLY GOOD UNTIL VEHICLE SITS FOR AWHILE THEN IT'S DIFFICULT TO START AGAIN.. ORIGINAL ITEM REPLACED MAR 24 2016. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING NOW IN FEB 17 WITH NEW PART. WAS TOLD THAT THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH OTHER CUSTOMERS BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT CARSMART AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR IN LOGAN UTAH. Look up ODI 10950294 at NHTSA ↗	112.5% ODI 11035252 · 20,000 mi CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 20000 MILES CODE# P200A INTAKE MANIFOLD SENSOR Look up ODI 11035252 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11109934 · 65,000 mi I HAVE THE FORTE KOUP SX TGDI TRIM. I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 75-80 MPH. I NOTICED I WAS NOT ABLE TO GAIN ENOUGH SPEED TO PASS SLOWER TRAFFIC. ALSO NOTICED THAT ONCE SPEED SLOWED TO 65-70 MPH THE WAS NO POWER WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. HOWEVER THE CAR STILL WAS ABLE TO REGAIN SPEED AND MAINTAIN ONCE DESIRED SPEED WAS REACHED. I THEN HEARD A NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. IT SOUNDED AS IF SOMETHING WAS BINDING UP. I ASSUMED IT WAS THE TURBO. I PULLED OFF AN EXIT SHUT THE CAR OFF. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A MINUTE AND THEN STARTED IT. THE ENGINE … Look up ODI 11109934 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Exterior Lighting	19.1% ODI 11090426 · 150,000 mi MY SEAT BELT DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT CLICK INTO THE BUCKLE WHICH MAKES IT HARD NOT BE PULLED OVER AND VERY UNSAFE. AS WELL AS, MY LIGHTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR DO NOT TURN OFF THEY ARE ALWAYS ILLUMINATED ONCE STARTING THE CAR. MY BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT EVERY SO OFTEN, AS WELL AS A FEW OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ALSO MY BRAKES SOMETIMES WON'T COME UP OFF THE FLOOR OR WILL STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION EVEN WHILE BEING PRESSED. THIS IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE. Look up ODI 11090426 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	16.3% ODI 11230659 · 50,000 mi I PURCHASED THIS KIA IN 2014, SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD TO REPEATEDLY REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS, TAIL / BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. THE PLASTIC PART OF THE CONNECTORS HAVE DRIED OUT AND ARE BREAKING INTO PIECES DUE TO THE WIRING GETTING TOO HOT, AS THE PARTS THAT ARE LEFT ARE NOW STARTING TO MELT. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL DIFFERENT CARS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS AS MUCH AS IN THIS CAR. ALSO, ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DOESN'T WANT TO UNLATCH. I WILL BE PARKED AND IT WOULD SOMETIMES TAKE ABOUT 2 MIN FOR IT T… Look up ODI 11230659 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 11054367 · 15 mi MY CAR BROKE DOWN IN DECEMBER 2015, WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY FIX IT. I PAID OVER 1000 USD. 2 MONTHS LATER THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAME REASON MY CAR BROKE DOWN COUPLE MONTS BEFORE THAT RECALL. UNTIL THIS DAY I HAVE TRIED TO GET MY MONEY BACK AND THEY DONT WANT TO GIVE ME A REFUND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELEY DUE TO THE HOSE OF THE TRANSMISION FLUID. 04/01/2021: ODI # CHANGED FROM 11054837 TO 11054367 AS PART OF ROUTINE DATA CLEANUP. Look up ODI 11054367 at NHTSA ↗	17.1% ODI 11099888 · 80,000 mi I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP SX WITH THE 2.4 LITER THETA II ENGINE THAT IS BEING RECALLED ON A LIMITED BASIS BY KIA UNDER NHTSA SC147. A WEEK WHILE MERGING WITH FASTER TRAFFIC MY ENGINE DIED FORCING ME INTO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TRYING TO CROSS SEVERAL LANES OF MUCH FASTER MOVING TRAFFIC WITH A DEAD ENGINE. I CAME TO A STOP IN THE CENTER LANE AND HAD SEVERAL VERY CLOSE CALLS BEFORE OTHER VEHICLES HAD TO SWERVE AT THE LAST SECOND TO AVOID HITTING ME. MUCH LIKE THE COUNTLESS OTHER EXAMPLES OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE … Look up ODI 11099888 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Engine	Too few reports for a range	82,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10972326 · 81,000 mi I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE A COOLANT LINE RECALL INSTALLED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND LATER A MECHANIC REMARKED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A SERIOUS "KNOCK" AND BOTH MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE EITHER NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. IT ONLY HAS 81K MILES. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN I ASKED ABOUT POSSIBLE TRADE IN VALUE I WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD ONLY GIVE ME $500. NOW I SEE THERE ARE RECALLS IN MOTION FROM BOTH HYUNDAI AND KIA FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL DURING OPERATION. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE RECALL AFFECTIN… Look up ODI 10972326 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11021604 · 100,500 mi UPON ENTERING A HIGHWAY, A KNOCK OCCURRED AND AS RPM DROPPED THE KNOCKING SUBSIDED. NEXT DAY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND WHILE WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, VEHICLE STALLED AND RPM DROP TO ZERO. CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON AN ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE "LOCKED UP" Look up ODI 11021604 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11183518 · 82,000 mi ONE MORNING I STARTED THE CAR AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR ALSO MADE A KNOCKING/TICKING SOUND THAT WAS NOT USUAL AND THE ENGINE HAD AN ABNORMAL SOUND TO IT WHEN STATIONED AND IN MOTION. IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE, ESPECIALLY AS IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER RIGHT AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON. WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM AND FOUND OUT THAT THE LIGHT WAS FOR A CODE ABOUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD (BUTTERFLY) VALVES NOT OPENING/CLOSING PROPERLY. IT LATER ENDED UP BEING COMPLETE INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE CONNECTING … Look up ODI 11183518 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	Too few reports for a range	37,650 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10971856 · 300 mi WHEN I'M DRIVING MY CAR IT JERKS FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO TURN OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. 2011 KIA FORTE KOUP.. UPDATED 04/13/17 BF CN Look up ODI 10971856 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11185115 · 75,000 mi MY CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. FULLY STOPPED, MY CAR IS ON 1000RPMS, I WILL BE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED AND MY RPM SHOOTS ALL THE WAY UP. Look up ODI 11185115 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	94,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11119780 · 94,000 mi HELLO, LONG STORY SHORT, KIA HAS FAULTY AIRBAGS I HAVE A VERY PREGNANT WIFE. THEY HAVE YET TO DIE RIGHT BY THE CUSTOMER AND OFF SAFE VEHICLES TO REPLACE THESE UNTIL A FIX IS FOUND. I WENT TO KIA IN TURNERSVILLE NJ TO HAVE A HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACED. AT THIS TIME I REQUESTED THE TECHNICIAN TO RUN THE VIN FOR AN AIRBAG RECALL I SAW ONLINE, THIS WAS IN JUNE. HE CAME BACK SAYING HE CHECKED AND IT IS ALL CLEAR AND I ASKED HIM TO CHECK AGAIN MAINLY BECAUSE SHE IS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT. ONCE AGAIN TOLD IT WAS CLEAR. TODAY I RECEIVED SOMETHING IN THE MA… Look up ODI 11119780 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Too few reports for a range	82,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11183518 · 82,000 mi ONE MORNING I STARTED THE CAR AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR ALSO MADE A KNOCKING/TICKING SOUND THAT WAS NOT USUAL AND THE ENGINE HAD AN ABNORMAL SOUND TO IT WHEN STATIONED AND IN MOTION. IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE, ESPECIALLY AS IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER RIGHT AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON. WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM AND FOUND OUT THAT THE LIGHT WAS FOR A CODE ABOUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD (BUTTERFLY) VALVES NOT OPENING/CLOSING PROPERLY. IT LATER ENDED UP BEING COMPLETE INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE CONNECTING … Look up ODI 11183518 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	Too few reports for a range	20,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11035252 · 20,000 mi CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 20000 MILES CODE# P200A INTAKE MANIFOLD SENSOR Look up ODI 11035252 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	15 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11054367 · 15 mi MY CAR BROKE DOWN IN DECEMBER 2015, WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY FIX IT. I PAID OVER 1000 USD. 2 MONTHS LATER THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAME REASON MY CAR BROKE DOWN COUPLE MONTS BEFORE THAT RECALL. UNTIL THIS DAY I HAVE TRIED TO GET MY MONEY BACK AND THEY DONT WANT TO GIVE ME A REFUND EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELEY DUE TO THE HOSE OF THE TRANSMISION FLUID. 04/01/2021: ODI # CHANGED FROM 11054837 TO 11054367 AS PART OF ROUTINE DATA CLEANUP. Look up ODI 11054367 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2016: 0 complaints · 2017: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2016	0	0	0
2017	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2016	2	0	0
2017	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Engine	Vehicle Speed Control	Air Bags	Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Fuel/Propulsion System	Power Train
Engine	—	0	0	1 ODI 11183518 · 82,000 mi ONE MORNING I STARTED THE CAR AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR ALSO MADE A KNOCKING/TICKING SOUND THAT WAS NOT USUAL AND THE ENGINE HAD AN ABNORMAL SOUND TO IT WHEN STATIONED AND IN MOTION. IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE, ESPECIALLY AS IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER RIGHT AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON. WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM AND FOUND OUT THAT THE LIGHT WAS FOR A CODE ABOUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD (BUTTERFLY) VALVES NOT OPENING/CLOSING PROPERLY. IT LATER ENDED UP BEING COMPLETE INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE CONNECTING … Look up ODI 11183518 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Vehicle Speed Control	0	—	0	0	0	0
Air Bags	0	0	—	0	0	0
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	1 ODI 11183518 · 82,000 mi ONE MORNING I STARTED THE CAR AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR ALSO MADE A KNOCKING/TICKING SOUND THAT WAS NOT USUAL AND THE ENGINE HAD AN ABNORMAL SOUND TO IT WHEN STATIONED AND IN MOTION. IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE, ESPECIALLY AS IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER RIGHT AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON. WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM AND FOUND OUT THAT THE LIGHT WAS FOR A CODE ABOUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD (BUTTERFLY) VALVES NOT OPENING/CLOSING PROPERLY. IT LATER ENDED UP BEING COMPLETE INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE CONNECTING … Look up ODI 11183518 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0	0
Fuel/Propulsion System	0	0	0	0	—	0
Power Train	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

3 mentions · 37.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 82,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 11021604 · 100,500 mi

Look up ODI 11021604 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11035252 · 20,000 mi

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 20000 MILES CODE# P200A INTAKE MANIFOLD SENSOR

Look up ODI 11035252 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11183518 · 82,000 mi

Look up ODI 11183518 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 25.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 90,750 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10972326 · 81,000 mi

Look up ODI 10972326 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11021604 · 100,500 mi

Look up ODI 11021604 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 12.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 300 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10971856 · 300 mi

WHEN I'M DRIVING MY CAR IT JERKS FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO TURN OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. 2011 KIA FORTE KOUP.. UPDATED 04/13/17 *BF *CN

Look up ODI 10971856 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule