Is This A Lemon?

Year · Make · Model

2011 KIA Forte

What the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration knows about this vehicle: every recall, every consumer complaint, every defect investigation, every NCAP crash test. Sourced directly from NHTSA data feeds.

3
Open recalls
152
NHTSA complaints
3
Defect investigations
79
Service bulletins

NCAP safety

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Consumer complaints

152 filed
28
Crashes
11
Fires
34
Injuries reported
1
Fatalities reported

What people complain about

  • Engine
    45
  • AIR Bags
    34
  • Power Train
    17
  • Electrical System
    16
  • Service BRAKES, Hydraulic
    16
  • Unknown OR Other
    13
  • Service Brakes
    11
  • Vehicle Speed Control
    10

Recalls

3 campaigns
23V652000·SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE 2023-09-25

Park outside

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.

RiskAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

FixOwners 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.

18V363000·AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE2018-06-01

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.

RiskIf 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.

FixKia 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·POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES2016-02-05

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.

RiskIf enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.

FixKia 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.

NHTSA investigations

9 actions
AQ23002·SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE 2023-11-17

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

DP22003·ENGINE2022-09-12 → 2023-12-12

Loss of Motive Power

PE18003·AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE2018-03-16 → 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

Led to recall18E043000

PE18003·AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2018-03-16 → 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

Led to recall18E043000

PE18003·AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE2018-03-16 → 2019-08-30

Air bags may be disabled during crash

Led to recall18E043000

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