VehicleVerdict

2011 Kia Forte problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2011 Kia Forte carries two red flags at once: 213 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Forte years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 48 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (48), airbags (35), and brakes (27), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

213

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

44

Crash-involved

22

Fires reported

48

Injuries

2

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other Forte years?

Forte NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted639 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 317 complaints2011: 213 complaints2012: 403 complaints2013: 272 complaints2014: 639 complaints2015: 323 complaints2016: 195 complaints2017: 431 complaints2018: 188 complaints2019: 213 complaints2020: 95 complaints2021: 95 complaints2022: 39 complaints2023: 94 complaints2024: 40 complaints
Forte NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Forte years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Kia Forte problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4823%
Airbags3516%
Brakes2713%
Electrical System2210%
Transmission188%
Other147%
Speed Control105%
Lighting84%
Body & Structure84%
Seat Belts63%
Steering52%
Fuel System42%
Tires & Wheels31%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seats21%
Suspension10%

Does the 2011 Kia Forte have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V652000BrakesSeptember 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 units

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.

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.

18V363000AirbagsJune 1, 2018 · 507,587 units

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.

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.

16V070000TransmissionFebruary 5, 2016 · 10,240 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The car had a slow ticking noise that was very faint in the front for about 20 minutes 20 minutes later the noise continue to get louder about 45 minutes later six gear was lost in the car in about an hour and a half later the engine failed and the car Came to a failure lock down procedure all…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 15, 2023 · fire

“OTHER AIR BAG RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT TRAVELED LEFT OF THE CENTERLINE ON A TWO LANE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED IN AN OFF-SET, HEAD-ON COLLISION. THE DRIVER AIR BAG AND DRIVER SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO DEPLOY / ACTIVATE DURING THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 18, 2018 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE CONTACT TO CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POST. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 22, 2014 · crash

“TAKATA RECALL CAR STARTING SMOKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF SMOKE INCREASED FIRE INITIATED IN CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE(DRIVER SIDE) IN THE CORNER UNDERNEATH WINDSHIELD. ENTIRE CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 13, 2018 · fire

“ON 7/24 MY 21 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES (WITH BOTH FEET) AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. SHE ENDED UP COLLIDING WITH A WALL WHICH DISCONNECTED THE POWER AND THE CAR STOPPED ABOUT 50 FEET FROM POINT OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 24, 2016 · crash

2011 Kia Forte — common questions

Is the 2011 Kia Forte reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 213 complaints put the 2011 model at #7 of 16 Forte years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Forte years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Forte problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (48 complaints), airbags (35 complaints), brakes (27 complaints).

Does the 2011 Kia Forte have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Kia Forte. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Kia Forte under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Kia Forte years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Forte years to avoid are 2014, 2017, 2012, 2015, 2010, 2013, 2011. The cleanest record among Forte years belongs to 2009.

How safe is the 2011 Kia Forte?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 Kia Forte earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.