2017 Kia Forte Driver assistance Problems

The vehicle exhibits a chronic, systemic electrical failure characterized by the intermittent loss of critical lighting systems, including turn signals and brake lights. This failur5e has persisted over several years and thousands of miles, independent of battery replacements or specific usage patterns. The issue has been confirmed via multiple independent service interventions. Most notably, in February 2024, a third-party professional repair - which included the replacement of the Power Distribution Unit (Central Fuse Box) was performed to address these electrical faults. Despite this professional intervention, the defect recurred in May 2026. The failure of the turn signals and brake lights while in traffic resulted in a Law Enforcement stop and the issuance of a citation. Prior to total failure, the vehicle often displays erratic engine performance, including sputtering and hesitation. These symptoms were identified early in the Vehicle's history, but inquiries regarding recall campaigns for similar Makes and Models were denied by Authorized Dealerships, who cited recall registry despite exhibiting identical Mechanical and Electrical failure modes. The failure of the brake lights and turn signals poses a severe and immediate safety risk to myself, my passengers, other motorists and those on the road...as it creates an unpredictable environment were emergency stopping and lane changes cannot be communicated to the surrounding traffic. The electrical architecture of this vehicle is fundamentally flawed, as evidenced by the recurring nature of the defect despite multiple repair attempts, including the replacement of the primary fuse distribution center. The vehicle, all service records. third-party repair receipt, and relevant law enforcement citation are available for inspection upon request to support this report. The recurring loss of safety-critical signaling systems represents a systemic design defect rather than isolated wear & tear.

NHTSA ID

11745123

Incident

May 26, 2026

The headlights and dashboard lose power intermittently while driving at highway speeds, specifically triggered by using the turn signal. This is ongoing since January when I started having to take it for a recalls.More things kept happening. I kept having to have more repairs. Every time I went, I told them about this and it just keeps going on. Today I took a huge list of things they should check to see why it’s doing this. This is the following list that I gave them -2017 Kia Forte - Service Request: •Issue: Headlights/dash icons flicker specifically when using turn signals. •Issue: Average MPG keeps resetting (Computer Brownout). •Mandatory Checks: 1Multi-Function Switch (internal short). 2Manual Voltage Drop Test on the G01 Ground Point. 3Alternator Ripple Test (check for "dirty" power). Last night on my way home from my daughter’s house which is a 50 minute drive, it was in the dark pouring rain and no longer than I had got started going home, I used the turn signal and my lights flickered a little which that’s what they’ve done before. Then the icon inside the car for headlights flashed on and off, lights inside got very dim and then my headlights got so dim that I had to follow other cars that had LED headlights down an interstate at 65 mph or less safely just to get to my exit to get home for over 45 minutes. I have mentioned this to them repeatedly, but I gave this list to them this morning. I called a little bit ago just to check on things and I was told “well we’ve been driving it for over an hour and we can’t seem to get it to act up”. I said are you not going to do the things that I stated and actually physically touch and look and not just sticking it on a computer. He rudely asked- what are you talking about? It’s all computer. That’s what we do.I’ve had to deal with this since pretty much the middle of January 2026. We are now here at May 7 and it got at its worst last night and horrified me and my safety.When I have car will upload docs

NHTSA ID

11736367

Incident

May 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the catalytic converter was clogged. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under a class-action lawsuit extended warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ID

11627436

Incident

Nov 15, 2024

Mileage

136,000 mi

The speedometer does not work. The car will not accelerate. I always have belt problems.

NHTSA ID

11565938

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where unknown sensors were replaced. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. Additionally, the ABS warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11508874

Incident

Aug 15, 2022

Mileage

70,000 mi

I've had it looked at by a Kia dealership and they said I let it run out of oil and burned up my engine. My ASC warranty won't cover it. I had no idea. I've got proof from Valvoline where I always get my oil changes and proves I did it regularly. I had no oil leak signs on the pavement. Your recall #SC210 which I just found out about talks about exactly what happened to me. I really don't think it was my fault and it should be covered. I had no indication that something was wrong till this happened. I've had no problems since I bought the car in November 2021till now.

NHTSA ID

11506137

Incident

Feb 2, 2023

I got this car in January, it's only October and my speed doesn't accelerate. When I step on the gas pedal there is a huge kick and my RPM goes from under one to 4 or 5 to get to 20mph. I noticed that I could change the drive to D1 and D2 but when driving and going over 30mph my car is in D6. I have yet to find a solution. No warning lights have come on yet but I don't want it to get to that point before having the car for a year.

NHTSA ID

11435366

Incident

Jul 5, 2021

I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. MY VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE SO I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP AND MY VEHICLE STOPPED, THANKFULLY I DID NOTHING HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I DROVE FORWARD AND MY ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON; AFTER NO MORE THAN 30 SECONDS, THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. ALL HAS BEEN FINE SINCE, HOWEVER I LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM AND APPARENTLY KIA HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH CARS LUNGING FORWARD AND CAUSING MAJOR ACCIDENTS. I HONESTLY AM TERRIFIED FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME.

NHTSA ID

11390714

Incident

Jan 27, 2021

Mileage

50,000 mi

I TOOKEN MY 2017 KIA FORTE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP COUNTLESS OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND STILL WITH NO AVAIL. AS I'M DRIVING THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS SHAKING THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON THEN THE CAR EITHER SHUTS OFF ON ITS OWN THEN GOT TO WAIT IT OUT FOR IT TO START. IF I GO TO TURN ON THE AC THE CAR ALSO SHUTS OFF. I'VE ALMOST GOTTEN HIT DUE TO THE CAR UN RELIABILITY.

NHTSA ID

11350053

Incident

Aug 15, 2020

Mileage

41,000 mi

ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO AGO WHILE GOING UP A HILL I NOTICED THE CAR TRYING TO STALL OUT. IT HAS BEGUN TO DO MORE FREQUENTLY NOW WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE IN IDLE AND/OR PARK ALSO. YOU CANNOT HEAR THE CAR 'KNOCK' BUT IT'S AS IF YOU CAN FEEL IT TRYING TOO. ONE INSTANCE I WAS IN A TURNING LANE AND THE CAR LITERARILY TRIED TO CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE RPM'S DROPPED AND CAR JUST FELT REAL SHAKY AND JUMPY. TOTAL EPISODES APPROXIMATELY IN ABOUT 2 WEEEKS I WOULD SAY ARE CLOSE TO MAYBE 10? THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME IN AT FIRST INSTANCE WHEN I WAS GOING UP A HILL AND HAS NEVER GONE OFF. BUT THE PROBLE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED BUT SEEMS TO HAVE GOTTEN WORSE.

NHTSA ID

11349731

Incident

Aug 12, 2020

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE DEC. 2017 WITH 318 MILES. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER WHEN TRYING TO START. FIRST TIME, TOWED IN WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. WENT HOME, NEXT MORNING THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED TO START. AFTER 3RD TRY & LOUD SOUNDING, I POPPED THE HOOD & THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS SHAKING IN ITS CRADLE. TOWED IN AGAIN, DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED COILS MISFIRE & REPLACED. VEHICLE DUPLICATED THE SAME PROBLEM A WEEK LATER. I REPLACED THE BATTERY. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. THIRD TIME, DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED FUEL PUMP BUT ENDED UP REPLACING THE ENTIRE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM BECAUSE REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP DID NOT FIX THE MATTER. THEY HAD MY VEHICLE FOR 2 FULL WEEKS. HAD THE VEHICLE BACK 2 DAYS, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BUT CONTINUED TO SPUTTER. DEALERSHIP HAS NOW HAD MY VEHICLE 5 WEEKS, FIRST SAID THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT KEPT MY VEHICLE ANYWAY. THEN SAID COILS WERE BAD EVEN THOUGH THEY JUST REPLACED THEM 3 MONTHS AGO SOMETHING IS CAUSING THE COILS TO MISFIRE. I HAVE NO ANSWERS. EVEN WITH KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS INVOLVED, NO ONE HAS AN ANSWER. AT ONE POINT KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS CALLED TO ASK ME HOW THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THEM THEY DID NOT EVEN HAVE MY VEHICLE ANYMORE. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A REPORT TO MY INSURANCE CARRIER. MY VEHICLE HAS 30,000. I'VE MAINTAINED REGULAR OIL CHANGES & OTHER REQUIRED MAINTENANCE AS SUGGESTED, FAITHFULLY.

NHTSA ID

11322902

Incident

Jan 6, 2020

Mileage

28,000 mi

HAD THIS CAR FROM THE END OF 2017. AFTER ONE YEAR THERE WAS A RECALL DONE ON IT FOR THE SPARK PLUGS AND COIL. NOT EVEN 7 MONTHS AFTER GET IT DONE THE NEXT SET THEY ADD IN THE CAR ALMOST BOTTOM OUT ON ME WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR AND SOMEONE ALMOST RAN IN THE BACK OF ME. THEY FIX IT TOOK A WEEK TO GET MY CAR BACK. AND NOW I FEEL LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION I ASK THE DEALERSHIP IS IT TIME FOR SERVICE AND THEY SAID NO. I AM A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT THAT. I SAY ON TOP OF ALL MY SERVICE TO THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11315991

Incident

Mar 4, 2020

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL INCIDENCE OF BEING "LOCKED" AT ONE SPEED. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE GAS THE CAR WILL SPEED UP UNTIL REACHING 30-35MPH AND WILL NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE GAS PEDAL COULD BE TOUCHING THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PAST 35MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED AT OUR LOCAL KIA DEALER IN THE EARLY FALL OF 2019. IT WAS SAID TO BE REPAIRED NOW LESS THAN 6 MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS SOMETIMES ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ID

11302455

Incident

Jan 28, 2020

Mileage

40,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN MY CAR LOST POWER. I TRIED GIVING IT GAS AND IT JUST WOULD SPUTTER, STILL BARELY MOVING. I HAD PEOPLE ALMOST HITTING ME. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AND I JUST HAD BOUGHT IT 60 SOMETHING DAYS AGO. THE CAR WILL JUST LOOSE POWER NO MATTER HOW FAST YOU GOING. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

11282532

Incident

Nov 7, 2017

Mileage

25,000 mi

CAR WILL RANDOMLY HESITATE AND SHAKE WITH POWERLOSS MAYBE ONCE EVERY FEW DAYS. THIS WILL HAPPEN WHEN COMING TO A STOP THEN ACCELERATING AGAIN AFTER DRIVING FOR 30 MINUTES OR SO .CEL WILL EITHER NOT DISPLAY OR BLINK A FEW TIMES BUT GO AWAY (AND NOT SHOW UP ON THE HISTORY) MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DIAGNOSE. TOOK IT TO 2 KIA DEALERS, BOTH SAID THAT THEY'VE SEEN THIS ON A LOT KIA FORTES., THEY HAVE MADE THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS BUT STILL HAVE THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11230560

Incident

Jul 9, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE OR SWITCH GEARS, THE ENGINE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAR PROS KIA RENTON (425-204-6600, LOCATED AT 200 SW GRADY WAY, RENTON, WA 98057) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHUCK OLSON KIA (206-219-4040, LOCATED AT 17001 AURORA AVE N, SEATTLE, WA 98133) WHERE IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT CALLED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WHERE AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO MEDIATE BETWEEN THE CONTACT AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE LATTER DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ID

11222210

Incident

Nov 8, 2018

Mileage

33,000 mi

IN AUGUST 2018, MY SON STARTED THE CAR AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NOT OPERATIONAL AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE LIT. CAR STILL DRIVES. (SEE PIC). IN NOVEMBER 2018, WE TOOK THE CAR TO KIA. AFTER 2-3 DAYS, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE, AND SAID TO BRING IT IN WHEN IT OCCURS. UNFORTUNATELY, IT ALWAYS OCCURS AFTER HIS PRACTICE (@6PM), HOTTEST TIME IN S. TEXAS AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS CLOSED. FROM 31MAY-7JUN2019, MY SON SENT ME VIDEOS OF IT HAPPENING (5 DIFFERENT DAYS). SUMMARY: PROBLEM OCCURS DURING HOT DAYS AT START UP (TURNING CAR OFF/ON WILL NOT RESET), VEHICLE WILL OPERATE BUT WITHOUT INSTRUMENTATION, AND IT EVENTUALLY RESETS ITSELF WHEN HE STARTS IT UP AFTER WORK OR THE NEXT DAY. DURING ONE EPISODE IN JUNE, HE HEADED TO KIA; DURING THE DRIVE THE DOOR LOCKS STARTED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING AND HE HEARD CLICKING NOISES. WHEN ALL THIS STOPPED, THE TACHOMETER STARTED WORKING BUT THE WARNING LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS STILL INOP. HE PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, (TO INSPECT IT) AND WHEN HE STARTED THE CAR AGAIN EVERYTHING WORKED. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ON OR ABOUT JULY 2017. LESS THAN 2-YEARS OLD AND UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS DROPPED OFF ON 10JUNE2019 AND AS OF TODAY 13JUN2019, THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. CONCERNS: PROBLEM IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT, THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT UNTIL IT CAN BE REPLICATED, THEY WILL NOT OFFER A LOANER OR RENTAL; NOR CAN THEY TELL ME IF THE PROBLEM AFFECTS OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR, OR IF IT IS SAFE TO OPERATE DURING THESE EPISODES. IN ADDITION, MY SON HEADS TO COLLEGE (250M AWAY) ON 13AUG2019. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT WORLD CAR KIA, NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS.

NHTSA ID

11219684

Incident

Aug 1, 2018

Mileage

10,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUNTSVILLE KIA (6519 UNIVERSITY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35806 (256) 217-1700) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND A NEW ENGINE SPRING AND IGNITION CORD NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11207243

Incident

May 6, 2019

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR PEDALS, THEIR FOOT WAS BLOCKED BY SOME KIND OF PARTITION ON THE FLOOR. THE PARTITION WAS LOCATED BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM BRAKING OR ACCELERATING IN A TIMELY MANOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTO EXPRESS KIA (10320 WATTSBURG RD, ERIE, PA 16509, (814) 825-4747), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,600. *TT CONSUMER STATED YOU AGENT COULD NOT HAVE TAKEN MY REPORT ANY MORE INCORRECT. THE PROBLEM AND DANGER IS ABOVE THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS. WHEN CHANGING FROM GAS TO BRAKES MY FOOT (TOES) IS COMING IN CONTACT WITH AN AIR BAFFLE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS GANG FROM GAS TO BREAKS. THIS NEEDS LOOKED INTO BY YOUR AGENCY AND CORRECTED. UPDATED 10/19/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11121649

Incident

Aug 9, 2017

Mileage

3,600 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA FORTE. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. KIA OF ORANGE (210 WEST KATELLA AVENUE, ORANGE, CA 92867) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,200.

NHTSA ID

11098972

Incident

Apr 4, 2018

Mileage

8,200 mi

I HAVE HAD MY 2017 KIA FORTE FOR 3 MONTHS AND IN THE VEEY BEGINNING IT DROVE FINE. RECENTLY THE CAR HAS BECOME VERY SLUGGISH AND BECAME INCREASINGLY HARD TO ACCELERATE. I NOTICED IT BUT BRUSHED IT OFF. THIS PAST WEEKEND I LET SOMEONE DRIVE MY CAR AND THEY COMPLAINED ABOUT HOW HARD IT WAS TO ACCELERATE. THAT'S WHEN I KNEW THAT IT WASN'T JUST ME. TODAY, AS I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE AN UNPROTECTED LEFT TURN THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND I WAS CAUGHT IN THE INTERSECTION LONGER THAN I NEEDED TO BE. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT COULD HAVE ENDED BADLY. I THINK THIS PROBLEM NEEDS LOOKING INTO. I SHOULD NOT BE HOLDING UP TRAFFIC BECAUSE MY CAR DOESN'T ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD WHEN I AM FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID

10969201

Incident

Mar 29, 2017

Mileage

3,800 mi