VehicleVerdict

2017 Kia Forte problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 431 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median Forte year — the 2017 model ranks #2 of 16 Forte years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 6 deaths and 36 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 157 reports (36% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

431

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

38

Crash-involved

14

Fires reported

36

Injuries

6

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Forte years?

Forte NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 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, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Forte years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Kia Forte problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine15736%
Electrical System5112%
Other4911%
Lighting4310%
Fuel System307%
Airbags184%
Speed Control184%
Transmission123%
Visibility & Wipers92%
Brakes92%
Steering92%
Body & Structure92%
Tires & Wheels61%
Latches & Locks61%
Seat Belts31%
Suspension20%

Does the 2017 Kia Forte have recalls?

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

22V031000AirbagsJanuary 25, 2022 · 410,619 units

Defect

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Consequence

Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.

21V622000Latches & LocksAugust 9, 2021 · 253,074 units

Defect

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Consequence

A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.

21V260000EngineApril 13, 2021 · 4,069 units

Defect

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.

Consequence

A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, SMELLED SOMETHING "OFF", WITHIN SECONDS ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. ENTIRE VEHICLE GUTTED. KIA LITERALLY JUST INSTALLED A NEW ENGINE, STARTER, BATTERY, AND INTAKE 2 DAYS PRIOR DUE TO ENGINE LOCKING UP - WITH 22000 MILES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 27, 2018 · fire

“MY CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE LIKE IT ALWAYS IS. WENT FOR A WALK AND WHEN I CAME BACK, MY CAR HAD BEEN ON FIRE. AFTER FIRE DEPARTMENT DID THEIR INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DEEMED ELECTRICAL. THE LIGHT IN MY VISOR OR THE WIRING TO IT HAD GONE WRONG. MY WHOLE FRONT OF THE SEATS IS TOTALED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 14, 2020 · fire

“On November 23, 2024, the brakes gave out on my 2017 Kia Forte5 EX. I found several recalls for my car regarding the brakes, trunk, engine and airbags. However, my son was in an accident and I was unaware of any recalls, as the car was purchased used. Would I still be able to get my car repaired…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 23, 2024 · crash

“MY CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE LIKE IT ALWAYS IS. WENT FOR A WALK AND WHEN I CAME BACK, MY CAR HAD BEEN ON FIRE. AFTER FIRE DEPARTMENT DID THEIR INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DEEMED ELECTRICAL. THE LIGHT IN MY VISOR OR THE WIRING TO IT HAD GONE WRONG. MY WHOLE FRONT OF THE SEATS IS TOTALED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · June 14, 2020 · fire

“I WAS PARKING MY CAR YESTERDAY AT 7/11 AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT PILLAR. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE SEEN A BLOG WHERE DOZENS OF FORTE OWNERS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, SOMETIMES MORE THAN ONCE. I WAS INJURED AND THE CAR NEEDS $9000 IN REPAIRS, ALSO I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 27, 2017 · crash

2017 Kia Forte — common questions

Is the 2017 Kia Forte reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 431 complaints put the 2017 model at #2 of 16 Forte years. It is one of the Forte years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 Forte problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (157 complaints), electrical system (51 complaints), other (49 complaints).

Does the 2017 Kia Forte have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Kia Forte. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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 2017 Kia Forte?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Kia Forte earned an overall rating of 5 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.