2011 Kia Forte: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 153 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (25% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Sep 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The centered high mounted brake light overheated during normal vehicle operation. The plastic bulb socket and housing melted, causing the bulb to dislodge and fall into the interior of the vehicle. The bulb was extremely hot and burned holes through an interior fabric item that was stored in the rear cargo area for less than 15 minutes. There was no collision or modification involved. This created a potential fire hazard inside the vehicle. No warning lights or dashboard messages appeared prior to the incident. The cause of overheating is unknown. The damaged bulb, socket, and surrounding components were available for inspection at the time of the incident.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2025
“I just bought this car with 79873 miles on it it now has 81853 miles and its making a ticking noise.I been looking over the engine and wondering why my check engine light doesn't come on when I left my gas cap off.I bought this car from a used car dealership..I been doing some research on this type engine and most of them have me recalled.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2025
“WCS Sensor Defect B1322-20 - Airbag Code WCS Communication Error B1324-20 - Airbag Code Door Ajar Lamp Circuit Failure B1323-20 - Airbag Code”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“The NECU system failed and blew the engine and caused a fire no longer available for inspection. No move running. No warning lamps at all of any sort.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2024
“The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning wiring odor inside the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 28,800. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2024
“The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2024
“The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2024
“The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2024
“Engine was replaced 97218 miles - under warranty - now the second engine needs to be replaced with 106607 miles - there is a limited warranty of 20 years /200000 miles - isn't the second engine still under warranty two engines and both have been under 200000 miles isn't the second engine covered under the warranty??”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2024
“The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2024
When filing, owners marked a crash in 28 of these complaints and injuries in 35 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2011 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Forte by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Kia Forte reliable?
NHTSA has 153 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Kia Forte. The most complained-about area is engine (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Kia Forte problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,000 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Kia Forte have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.