Is gear grinding and failure to engage gears a known issue with the 2024 Kia Forte?

2 NHTSA complaints have been filed about gear grinding and failure to engage gears on the 2024 Kia Forte (2024-10 → 2025-09). Reported component: POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11687028): "Car has been in several times for repair clutch assembly clutch plate, flywheel transmission, and the problem continues with shifting it does not want to go into gear it grinds even with the clutch fully to the floor…" Source: NHTSA.

Is loss of power and stalling while driving a known issue with the 2024 Kia Forte?

5 NHTSA complaints have been filed about loss of power and stalling while driving on the 2024 Kia Forte (2025-09 → 2026-06). Reported component: ENGINE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11731156): "My car would not go when i gave it gas on a major highway with mu 3 children in the back seat. We almost got into a wreck." Source: NHTSA.

Is voltage malfunction and airbag fault codes a known issue with the 2024 Kia Forte?

3 NHTSA complaints have been filed about voltage malfunction and airbag fault codes on the 2024 Kia Forte (2026-02 → 2026-03). Reported component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11722834): "Exposed electric wires, airbag system failure codes, breaks non resistance in functional limitation of human safety. Voltage malfunction involves hazardous crash impact results" Source: NHTSA.

Is lane assist steering pull into guardrail a known issue with the 2024 Kia Forte?

2 NHTSA complaints have been filed about lane assist steering pull into guardrail on the 2024 Kia Forte (2024-04 → 2025-09). Reported component: STEERING, AIR BAGS, LANE DEPARTURE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11583959): "The lane assist stopped working properly and pulled me into the guardrail" Source: NHTSA.

2024 Kia Forte Maintenance Schedule & Recalls

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

🛢️

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L on Optima, Sorento, Sportage (2011-2019): full synthetic only, never extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

🔄

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Telluride and Sorento AWD owners benefit from rotation every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

🛑

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads and rotors every 7,500 miles. Forte and Soul front pads typically last 40,000-55,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

🧪

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required for ABS and ESC pump longevity.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

💨

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

⚙️

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Kia SP-IV — same as Hyundai.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

⚡

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped plugs rated 105,000 miles on most Kia engines. 1.6T (Forte GT, Soul Turbo): 60,000 miles. 3.5L Lambda II V6 (Telluride, Sorento): 105,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

🌡️

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Kia Long-Life Coolant (pink, same as Hyundai): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

🔩

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)

Every 60,000 mi

Sportage AWD, Sorento AWD, Telluride AWD: replace transfer case fluid and rear diff fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

🌬️

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Optima, Forte, and Sportage; behind the dashboard panel on Telluride.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2024 Kia Forte.

Reported to NHTSA

Gear grinding and failure to engage gears

POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 NHTSA complaints · 2024-10 → 2025-09

“Car has been in several times for repair clutch assembly clutch plate, flywheel transmission, and the problem continues with shifting it does not want to go into gear it grinds even with the clutch fully to the floor…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11687028

“There is grinding in the gears when pressing on the gas as well as down shifting and in reverse. The car will rev high and will not shift or down shift at the appropriate time and is stuck in gear.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11618351

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of power and stalling while driving

ENGINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2025-09 → 2026-06

“My car would not go when i gave it gas on a major highway with mu 3 children in the back seat. We almost got into a wreck.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11731156

“I purchased this brand new in 2024 and about 5 months ago it started to just loose power. It almost caused me to be hit several times and the car just won’t go it looses all power and you can press the gas and it won’t go but eventually will start going again…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11691108

“While the vehicle was approximately ten months old with approximately 11K miles, it was continuously not functioning properly and would not start/accelerate. My 2024 KIA Forte, which was purchased new from a KIA dealership, has continuously failed to function properly…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11688947

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Voltage malfunction and airbag fault codes

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2026-02 → 2026-03

“Exposed electric wires, airbag system failure codes, breaks non resistance in functional limitation of human safety. Voltage malfunction involves hazardous crash impact results”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11722834

“AIRBAG SYSTEM UNIT, AIRBAG SENSOR, VOLTAGE CRONIC MALFUNCTIONING POWER SUPPLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11720535

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Lane assist steering pull into guardrail

STEERING, AIR BAGS, LANE DEPARTURE

2 NHTSA complaints · 2024-04 → 2025-09

“The lane assist stopped working properly and pulled me into the guardrail”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11583959

“The contact owns a 2024 Kia Forte GT. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH on an off-ramp and making a right turn, the lane assist feature had malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to steer and crash into the guard rail…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11684783

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Jul 27, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Jul 27, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

2024 Kia Forte Maintenance Schedule

Personalize for your car and your area

How Kia schedules service: Service Reminder

Essential maintenance

Engine Oil & Filter

Tire Rotation

Brake Inspection

Brake Fluid

Important maintenance

Engine Air Filter

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Spark Plugs

Long-Life Coolant

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)

Recommended maintenance

Cabin Air Filter

Known issues for this vehicle

Reported to NHTSA

Gear grinding and failure to engage gears

Loss of power and stalling while driving

Voltage malfunction and airbag fault codes

Lane assist steering pull into guardrail