Model year record

2011 Kia Forte

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 225 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V652000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
1,730,192
Reported to NHTSA
2023-09-25
Owners notified
2024-03-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V363000

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

Component
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
507,587
Reported to NHTSA
2018-06-01
Owners notified
2018-09-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V070000

Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
10,240
Reported to NHTSA
2016-02-05
Owners notified
2016-03-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine46105,000 mi
Air bags3563,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic21200,000 mi
Electrical system1775,000 mi
Power train1756,220 mi
Unknown or other1488,000 mi
Service brakes1187,721 mi
Vehicle speed control1040,000 mi
Exterior lighting933,000 mi
Structure: body868,000 mi
Seat belts619,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)526,500 mi
Steering575,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system494,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling3600 mi
Seats210,000 mi
Tires220,000 mi
Air bags: frontal112,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly180,600 mi
Equipment: other: labels190,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission116,532 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Suspension1
Traction control system196,000 mi
Visibility/wiper168,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system120,000 mi
Wheels190,000 mi

The 2010 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2012 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

AQ23002Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.