This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Air bag light flashes on and off for few weeks finally resting to steady on. There is no crash case at all. Steering wheel makes knocking sound when rotated while the car is not moving.
The radio turns it's self on and off. One minute the horn is working the next minute the horn is not working. The horn works when it wants to work. The airbag light came on out of nowhere the car was not in a wreck or anything of that nature. Same with the buttons on the steering wheel. If you use the buttons to change the song on the steering wheel it actually turns radio completely off instead of changing the song. And that happens with the volume button as well. I've already been to a mechanic and told them that I think there is an electrical issue but I just get looked at like I'm crazy.
There is a noticeable noise each time when turning the steering wheel both at rest and in motion. The vehicle and steering wheel has excessive vibration when braking. There is also excessive play in the steering wheel. The suspected problem is a failure of the flexible coupling in the steering column. Kia has addressed this issue in other model cars such as the optima of the same model year but not for the Forte.
The airbag light stays on. I've checked and there are no error codes. Controls on the steering wheel also do not work and are unresponsive. The cruise control settings are unreliable and can lead to potential safety problems. After some research it appears to be a defective clock spring. Kia should cover the replacement under warranty.
My 2014 Kia Forte has started making a clicking/popping noise when I am turning right or left. It sounds like the steering wheel is gonna come off of the steering column where it locks, and I am afraid it is gonna lock up on me driving down the road. It clicks/pops whether the vehicle is stationary or if you are driving, and is getting worse.
- Moulton, AL, USA
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My airbag light came on and then the steering wheel controls all are not doing what they are intended to do. I did a google search and it is saying the clock spring. It also states that they are made to last a life time of the vehicle. I took it to towbin Kia in henderson nv. They confirmed it is bad and not covered under my extended warranty. This is a safety issue being it is the airbag in the steering wheel. And is very expensive to fix. I noticed on the google search many many other people are having the same issue. When I am in the drivers seat whether I am stationary or in travel motion the air bag light is on constant. The cruise control buttons do not do what intended...for example push cruise and it comes on but will go right off. The audio control such as bluetooth button turns radio up... the call button say please say a command the hang up button won't hang up the call and changes the station on radio. Very confusing. But the clock spring controls airbag and steering wheel controls....confirmed by Kia that this is intended functions. None works. I feel this item should be a recall issue due to safety requirements of the airbags. If the airbags deploys while driving without an accident or if it does not deploy at the time of an accident could be deadly either way.
Airbag light for passenger comes on and off with or without a passenger sitting in the seat. Airbag light for the driver is on now, as well and will not turn off. The steering wheel knocks when the car is making a left or right turn and the horn has now stopped working because something is in the way and won't allow the pressure in the steering wheel. We have replaced bulbs for the tail light, brake lights and headlights multiple times a year. This can't be normal! we now keep bulbs in the car to be prepared to replace at any time. Was involved in a wreck, where a truck ran the red light and hit the passenger side of the car and no airbags deployed. This is troubling and extremely unsafe.
My vehicles steering coupling pings and sounds like it's come loose or broken. Same issue happened to another Kia in the family a 2012 Kia soul my brother in law owns. That Kia had a recall for the steering coupling, the 2014 Kia Forte does'nt have this for a recall yet by Kia. I contacted Kia complaint #13202206 for resolution but no resolution rec'd to date 12/13/2019.
Drove over train tracks at 15 mph and felt it break. At stop, steering wheel has play when turned lightly. Knocks loudly when going over bumps and turning. Part can cause steering to lock up at any moment while turning and very unsafe. $13 part, $200 labor
Steering: Steering makes a loud knocking noise under the dashboard when turning the wheel left or right. Noise happens when vehicle is stationary or moving at any speed. Kia has recalled some 2014-2016 souls with the same problem but they have not recalled the Forte. Lighting: Headlights and dashboard lights go out when turning on the turn signals.
The steering wheel mechanism will make a knocking noise that is felt more than heard. It seems to be getting worse, and is more noticeable when turning the wheel while stopped as opposed to turning while in motion. Research has shown that this is a very common problem among several models of Kia, especially in the southeast. I took it to a dealer today to have checked and was told it was the flex coupler. The receptionist told me they get a lot of these all the time and that they can become very dangerous if not fixed soon. My research also revealed that some models have been afforded extended warranties and free replacement, but others have not even though the problem, symptom, and solution are the same. Btw, the repair bill was over $400...about $2 for part and the rest was labor, tax and misc.
Play in steering wheel, when looking it up, problem seems common for the steering coupler to go out, causes a jerk in the wheel at times while driving. Sitting still it will have alot of play moving left and right and a noise. A extended warranty has been given for some models except mine.
As I turn my steering wheel, it makes a clicking noise. It also causes my airbag light to show on my speedometer. Something sounds loose when in the steering wheel when I drive.
Vehicle was in motion when the electrical went out. The ABS, traction control, and steering warning lights came on. The vehicle was difficult to steer to the side of the road. Car had 60K miles. Battery is now on its 3rd replacement. Other prior warning signs were headlights flickering and occasional clicking when starting. These other prior warning signs have occured since 30K miles.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. While driving and making a left turn, the steering wheel made a knocking noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering motor needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired and was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.
The steering coupler went bad. Started hearing loud clicking noise when driving called Kia they are aware of the issue but only warranty is on optimal and souls as of now for it. The piece cost $1.08 the labor is $350 was what I was quoted. Also told they replace tons of them a week. Ridiculous Kia make it across the board. The coupler is an important piece.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. While driving 45 mph, the steering wheel made an abnormal knocking noise while turning left and right. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called the local dealer (orlando Kia East, 8701 East colonial drive, orlando, fl 32817, (407) 678-1717) and a diagnostic appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 76,908.
We are a driving school with about 100 different cars from Kia, we have about 95 vehicles right now in use that are Forte models between the years of 2010-2017. This is now the second vehicle this has happened to of ours over the past year. The last time was the Kia Forte 2015, and now this time it is the Kia Forte 2014. The steering wheel becomes misaligned with the wheels and eventually the entire assembly of where the steering wheel column is falls down completely into your lap and you lose all control of the vehicle. We took the 2015 vehicle to the mechanic and they were able to fix it, now the same thing happened again with the 2014. The specific part which failed is called the "reinforced beam"- Kia. It is the bar assembly which connects the steering wheel column. The metal from the beam which secures the steering column tears, and causes the steering column to become unsecured and it falls, leaving no control over the vehicle whether it is in motion or at a standstill. Also, it blocks the brake while driving. The previous 2015 Forte luckily fell apart in a parking lot while an instructor was teaching parking and had to be towed to the mechanic. This week the 2014 driver (one of our instructors) was driving on the highway with a student when she started noticing the disconnect. Since it sounded familiar we took it straight to the mechanic and they were able to diagnose the same failed part again. This is an extreme safety hazard. Retail it is about $2,000 to fix. It's about $500 for the part, and $1,500 for the labor. Thank you.
Intermittently, on days of excessive heat (110+) the car will start up with all sensor lights illuminated, cannot shift into gear without pushing the gear shift override button, power steering doesn't work, skid control on, and ac blows hot air. Once it cools down the issue stops and won't present itself again unless very specific conditions are met. Happened first year after having the car, in the summer. Service center couldn't reproduce the issue. Summer year 2, issue happened again, with pictures, service center used heat gun to reproduce the problem. Transmission range sensor/neutral safety switch was replaced. Summer year 3. issue happened on 118 degree day when starting up car. A week later happened on the freeway while driving on another 118 degree day. New issues include tachometer and speedometer stay at 0 even while driving. Also, display that shows range and gas mileage stopped working properly. Range would adjust when gas peddle pushed, mpg stayed blank and did not come back after car had rested and cooled down.
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- Bellerose, NY, USA