2011 Kia Forte

141 serious complaints of 161, the most about engine (48) and air bags (36); per car on the road, 2.0× this model's usual year. 3 recalls.

What owners report

“Car developed a knocking sound and check engine light came on. Took it to dealer to check out and they tell me need to replace motor. Also told me they are aware of problem with motor like mine. Apparently they have recalled same motors in different models but not the forte”

An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Apr 2020

“The contact owns a 2011 kia forte. The contact stated that while sitting at a complete stop, another vehicle traveling 60 mph crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The impact caused the contact's vehicle to be pushed forward at approximately two hundred feet and into the rear of another vehicle.”

An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Sep 2013

Fixes and extended coverage

• Repair program DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - Attention: All Kia Dealer Principals - Kia Motors America, Inc. will be conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a preventative measure, to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014 MY Sorento,… (SC141DP, Dec 2016)
• Repair program SERVICE MANAGER MEMO: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - Attention: All Kia Service Managers - Kia Motors America, Inc. will be conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a preventative measure, to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014 MY Sorento,… (SC141DPSM, Dec 2016)
• Repair program SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL - To improve customer satisfaction, Kia is launching this service campaign to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014MY Sorento, 2011-2014MY Optima and Optima Hybrid,… (TSB-SC141, Dec 2016)
• Repair program SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER LETTER - Advises Owners of certain 2011-2013 MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles currently registered in the states where heavy amounts of road salt are used of a service campaign to add additional anti-corrosion material to underbody components of vehicle. (SC141OWNERTD, Jan 2017)
• Repair program Additional anti-corrosion treatment (SC141QA, Dec 2016)
• Repair program Voluntary emissions service campaign: engine control module software update (sc 126) - this bulletin provides information related to updating the software programming (calibration) of the engine control module (ecm) on some 2011my optima (tf) vehicles equipped with a 2.4l engine and california… (TSBSC126, Mar 2016)

From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.

161 owner complaints · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 26–30 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2011 trims and features