Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2017 Kia Forte
The 2017 Kia Forte has a fair number of complaints and three recalls. Key areas of concern include engine issues and airbag safety. Limited recall coverage addresses trunk latch defects. Be prudent in your checks, especially regarding the engine and airbag system. Overall, this model might require careful consideration due to the complaint volume, but some issues are known and addressable.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2017 Kia Forte has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 305 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #22V031000 Air Bags May Not Deploy NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V622000 Trunk Emergency Release May Fail/FMVSS 401 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V260000 Foreign Particles May Cause Oil Pump to Fail NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 145 complaints
- Unknown or Other 49 complaints
- Electrical System 47 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 44 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 29 complaints
- Air Bags 18 complaints
Of the 305 complaints on file, 23 report a crash and 10 a fire; across all 305 complaints, owners report 21 injuries and 4 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Oil pump failure
How to check: Listen for unusual engine noise. Check oil light stays off.
Air bag deployment failure
How to check: Confirm airbag recall service. Look for dashboard warning.
Trunk latch failure
How to check: Test trunk release from inside. Check ease of opening.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for engine knocking or irregular noise.
Red flag: Persistent knocking noise
- 02
Idle
What to check: Check dashboard for warning lights.
Red flag: Engine or airbag warning lights
- 03
Low-speed driving
What to check: Verify smooth acceleration and braking.
Red flag: Hesitation or weak brakes
- 04
Stop-and-go driving
What to check: Observe for unusual noises or behavior.
Red flag: Loud knocking or vibrations
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Ensure acceleration is strong, without lag.
Red flag: Acceleration lag or stuttering
- 06
Braking from speed
What to check: Test brakes for response and noise.
Red flag: Braking noise or fade
- 07
Final parking
What to check: Test trunk latch and release capability.
Red flag: Trunk won't open from inside
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the airbag recall been addressed?
- Have there been any engine repairs?
- What is the service history?
- Are there any current warning lights?
- Can you show the title and VIN?
- How many previous owners?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Service records
- Recall repair receipts
- Vehicle title
- VIN report
- Owner's manual
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2017 Kia Forte at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2017 Kia Forte? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.