2015 Kia Forte problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (131) · Power Train (15) · Air Bags (15)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Forte model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
149 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Engine 2020-12-02 · campaign 20V750000 · 294,756 vehicles
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Service bulletins (146)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-07-18 · SC238_OWNR_501 · Service Campaign
voluntary service campaign: owner renotification (sc238 flight #501) - this document is the owner renotification advising that kia is conducting a voluntary service campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace brake line(s) in certain 2014-2017 my forte and forte koup vehicles that were originally
Structure:body 2026-06-09 · CS2311_TSB_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition: cylinder protector & decal installation (cs2311) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provi
Structure:body 2026-06-08 · CS2312_TSB_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin prov
Structure:body 2025-12-19 · CS2311_OWNR_PC201 · Other
customer satisfaction campaign: postcard owner renotification (cs2311) - this document is the owner renotification advising that kia is conducting customer satisfaction campaign. kia has developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade and can be installed at the ignition
Structure:body 2025-12-18 · TSB_CS2312 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin provides information to install a theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector on certain 2010-2022my kia vehicles outlined on page 19, which may not have bee
Structure:body 2025-12-17 · CS2312_OWNR · Other
customer satisfaction campaign: owner notification (cs2312) - this document is the owner notification advising that kia is conducting customer satisfaction campaign. a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made available to owners of eligible kia model vehicles free
Showing the 6 most recent of 146 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-27 · Engine“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 **vehicl…”
2026-10-26 · Engine“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 che…”
2026-09-30 · Engine“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?…”
2026-09-10 · Engine“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. …”
2026-07-12 · Engine“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 …”
2026-07-06 · Engine“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 w…”
2026-06-29 · Electrical System · 85,000 mi“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 sel…”
2026-06-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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…”
2026-02-24 · Engine · 100,200 mi“the contact owns a 2015 kia forte. the contact stated that while driving in the fast lane at 70 mph on the interstate and attempting to move over to the emergency lane, the vehicle stalled. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v750000 (engine); after the failure. the vehicle was towed…”
2026-02-07 · Fuel/Propulsion System“car goes into limp mode or cuts power when trying to accelerate. refuses to shift or will shift down and revs highers rpms then necessary, especially at any incline. started around 70k miles and got worse when brought in for other recalls.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.