2011 Kia Forte: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2011 / kia / forte
known issues	7 clusters (reviewed 2026-09-08)
complaints	161 on file (2011-06-23 → 2026-07-31)
recalls	3
investigations	3
fars	64 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Engine knocking noise progressing to rod bearing failureENGINE38 complaints2015-10 → 2025-10kia-forte-2011-engine-rod-bearing-knock

11157130 IN 2016, JUST A FEW MONTHS PAST THE FIVE YEAR WARRANTY, ENGINE STARTED MAKING NOISE. $5K REPAIR. ENGINE HAD BROKEN ENGINE BEARING CAUSING KNOCK SOUND. LESS THAN 50K MILES
11156653 AT 120,000 MILES A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE BEGAN COMING FROM THE ENGINE AT ENGINE START. IT PERSISTS AND SOUNDS ALMOST LIKE AN ELECTRIC SEWING MACHINE - TAKA TAKA TAKA TAKA
11144819 I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT ROUGHLY 65 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL. ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A VERY LOUD BANG, TACHOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO, OIL STARTED SPRAYING ALL OVER FROM UNDERNEATH CAR

Transmission failure or gear shifter malfunctionPOWER TRAIN11 complaints2011-06 → 2023-11kia-forte-2011-transmission-failure

11556977 The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and reversing, the gear shifter became stuck in reverse(R). There was no warning light illuminated
10450856 WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS FELT THIS SUDDEN JERK (LIKE I HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND) AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. WHEN I GOT PULLED OVER I PLACED IT IN PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE IT WOULD NOT PULL FORWARD
10408704 THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA MOTOR FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE FURTHER

Front air bags failed to deploy in crashesAIR BAGS17 complaints2011-08 → 2019-07kia-forte-2011-airbag-non-deployment

10417104 THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE INJURIES
11101097 TAKATA RECALL. WE WERE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT WHEN WE WERE REAR ENDED ON 4/2/18. THE DRIVER WAS GOING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 50-70 MPH. MY AIR BAGS NEVER INFLATED CAUSING ALOT OF INJURIES. MY DRIVER HEAD REST WAS EJECTED CAUSING INJURY TO MY DAUGHTERS FACE
11130355 I HAD A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY& SAFETY BEHIND THE WHEEL OF MY 2011 KIA FORTE WHEN I WAS SUDDENLY FACING A HABITUAL DRUNK DRIVER, CREAMING US HEAD-ON AND MY AIRBAGS FATO DEPLOY

Brake HECU recall delays with fire and burning odorSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC17 complaints2023-11 → 2026-07kia-forte-2011-hecu-recall-fire-risk

11754070 The contact owned a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, a bystander went into the contact's place of employment and stated that there was a fire inside the vehicle in the parking lot
11599217 The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available
11556652 The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable

Sudden unintended acceleration or loss of speed controlVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL13 complaints2012-03 → 2025-03kia-forte-2011-unintended-acceleration

11651644 While driving on my home the car started accelerating on its own.Good thing I was already close to my house
10888941 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
10451182 THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MOVED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CURB

Brake and tail light bulb sockets overheating and meltingEXTERIOR LIGHTING7 complaints2019-05 → 2025-12kia-forte-2011-brake-light-socket-melt

11703885 The centered high mounted brake light overheated during normal vehicle operation. The plastic bulb socket and housing melted, causing the bulb to dislodge and fall into the interior of the vehicle
11171813 THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS ARE BURNING OUR VERY 3 WEEKS WITH THE PLASTIC BULB CONNECTOR GETTING VERY , VERY HOT
11075198 I KEEP HAVING TO REPLACE FOG LAMPS, BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLAMPS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED FREQUENTLY. THE COMPONENT YOU PLUG THE BULB INTO KEEPS GETTING HOT AND MELTING SOMETIMES CAUSING THE BULB TO BREAK

Takata air bag recall parts delaysAIR BAGS7 complaints2015-09 → 2021-11kia-forte-2011-takata-recall-delays

11141253 TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE
11190427 TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CORRECT RECALL ISSUE (18V363). COMPLETED THE WORK AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. MY AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS "ON"
10776438 THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA FORTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELT LOCKED. THE KEY FOB WAS DEPRESSED AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
161	2011-06-23	2026-07-31	28	12	ENGINE:48; AIR BAGS:36; SERVICE BRAKES:28; POWER TRAIN:19; HYDRAULIC:17

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
18V363000	01/06/2018	AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE	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.	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.	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.
16V070000	05/02/2016	POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES	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.	If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.	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.
23V652000	25/09/2023	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE	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.	An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.	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.

Investigations all years →

action_number	status	subject	components	opened	closed	recall_campaign	summary
AQ23002	open	Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE	2023-11-17	·	·	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.
DP22003	closed	Loss of Motive Power	ENGINE	2022-09-12	2023-12-12	·	The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain
PE18003	closed	Air bags may be disabled during crash	AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE	2018-03-16	2019-08-30	18E043000	The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai Sonata, MY 2012-2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. ODI also evaluated data from the automotive air bag system supplier, ZF-TRW (ZF), to review vehicles that may contain the same air bag control unit (ACU) used in the subject vehicles. Hyundai Motor America (HMA) issued recall No. 18

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	64	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2011 Kia Forte vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2011/kia/forte

@misc{wrenchpro_2011_kia_forte_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2011 Kia Forte},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2011/kia/forte}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

hub · known-issues · methodology · license · research (interpretation)