Model year record

2015 Kia Forte

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 371 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V750000

Engine

Component: Engine
Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected: 294,756
Reported to NHTSA: 2020-12-02
Owners notified: 2021-01-25

Defect description

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

Safety risk

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.

Owner complaints

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

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Engine	182	87,000 mi
Unknown or other	33	60,000 mi
Electrical system	29	85,000 mi
Air bags	24	50,000 mi
Power train	19	70,000 mi
Service brakes	17	20,000 mi
Exterior lighting	13	51,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	13	38,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	6	20,000 mi
Steering	4	1,760 mi
Structure: body	4	3,700 mi
Electrical system: ignition: coil: spark plugs	3	137,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	3	90,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	3	137,000 mi
Seat belts	3	70,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer	2	75,010 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	2	108 mi
Electrical system: ignition	1	44,600 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly	1	—
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	200 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control	1	100,601 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	56,334 mi
Tires	1	100 mi
Tires: bead	1	21,500 mi
Visibility/wiper	1	69,543 mi
Wheels	1	—
Wheels: rim	1	250 mi

The 2014 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2016 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

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.