NHTSA vehicle safety data

2014 Kia Forte Koup Recalls & Complaints

The 2014 Kia Forte Koup has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kia dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2014 Kia Forte Koup. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2014 Kia Forte Koup owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Forte Koup, describing incidents dated June 5, 2018.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11109934 · Filed July 6, 2018
I HAVE THE FORTE KOUP SX TGDI TRIM. I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 75-80 MPH. I NOTICED I WAS NOT ABLE TO GAIN ENOUGH SPEED TO PASS SLOWER TRAFFIC. ALSO NOTICED THAT ONCE SPEED SLOWED TO 65-70 MPH THE WAS NO POWER WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. HOWEVER THE CAR STILL WAS ABLE TO REGAIN SPEED AND MAINTAIN…

Read the full complaint

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2014 Kia Forte Koup in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-003: Engine Fires
Closed February 5, 2024
- Recall 23V-877

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Engine Damage May Cause Fire

NHTSA #20V750000 · Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported December 2, 2020 · Kia Motors America

Potentially affected: 294,756 vehicles

Repair completion: 72.53% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Kia campaign SC200 · Owners notified January 25, 2021 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

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 consequence

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Brake Pedal Stopper may Deteriorate

NHTSA #17V773000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Pedals and Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported December 1, 2017 · Kia Motors America

Potentially affected: 134,366 vehicles

Repair completion: 51.56% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Kia campaign SC158 · Owners notified January 30, 2018 · Vehicles built May 2, 2012 – February 28, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.

Safety consequence

If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC158.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2014 Kia Forte Koup 2 DR FWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2014 Kia Forte Koup.

Electrical System; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11109934

Incident: June 5, 2018 · Filed: July 6, 2018

I HAVE THE FORTE KOUP SX TGDI TRIM. I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 75-80 MPH. I NOTICED I WAS NOT ABLE TO GAIN ENOUGH SPEED TO PASS SLOWER TRAFFIC. ALSO NOTICED THAT ONCE SPEED SLOWED TO 65-70 MPH THE WAS NO POWER WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. HOWEVER THE CAR STILL WAS ABLE TO REGAIN SPEED AND MAINTAIN ONCE DESIRED SPEED WAS REACHED. I THEN HEARD A NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. IT SOUNDED AS IF SOMETHING WAS BINDING UP. I ASSUMED IT WAS THE TURBO. I PULLED OFF AN EXIT SHUT THE CAR OFF. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A MINUTE AND THEN STARTED IT. THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE LOUDER THAN NORMAL. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND COULD HEAR THE NOISE IN THE TURBO AGAIN BUT IT WAS NOT AS IF SOMETHING WAS BINDING IT WAS IT WAS LOUD AIR. I DROVE APPROX. 1 BLOCK AND NOTICED SMOKE. I PULLED OVER SHUT THE CAR OFF AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WALKED AROUND THE CAR DID NOT SEE ANY SMOKE FROM ANYWHERE. TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, NO SMOKE, ENGINE WAS QUIETER, DROVE ANOTHER BLOCK AND BEGAN BILLOWING BEHIND THE CAR THE ENGINE AT THIS POINT CAME ON. PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT SHUT THE CAR OFF AND DID A WALK AROUND. WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM BOTH EXHAUST PIPES. HAD CAR TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR OVER A MONTH. SPOOL ON TURBO FLEW OFF AND OIL WAS SUCKED THROUGH EXHAUST. THE NO WARNING LIGHTS HAS BEEN EXPLAINED TO THE FAILURE OF O2 SENSORS, TURBO SPOOL, AND SOME PART OTHER BEING OFF BALANCE TO ALL HAPPENING SIMULTANEOUSLY. AFTER A MONTH A PICKED THE CAR UP AND HAVE APROX 80 MILES AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. DEALERSHIP SERVICE SAID T IS FROM OIL BURN OFF AND NOTHING TO CLEAR IT. MY DISPLAY FOR REAR CAMERA IS NOT WORKING AND NO ETA FOR PART TO BE AVAILABLE.

Other Kia Forte Koup model years

Check your 2014 Kia Forte Koup VIN

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