NHTSA vehicle safety data
2014 Kia Forte Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2014 Kia Forte has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 444 owner complaints 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, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2014 Kia Forte owner complaints
Owners have filed 444 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Forte, describing incidents dated July 12, 2013 to October 2, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Engine 220 complaints
- Steering 64 complaints
- Air Bags 63 complaints
- Electrical System 57 complaints
- Unknown or Other 51 complaints
- Service Brakes 28 complaints
Of the 444 complaints on file, 32 report a crash and 36 a fire; across all 444 complaints, owners report 29 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11768964 · Filed
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that oil was leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that at start-up the check engine and low oil pressure warning light remained illuminated with an abnormal burned oil odor. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and the…
ODI #11768678 · Filed
Odometer was tampered with dealership set the mileage at 82,000 the actual mileage is 153,000
ODI #11766772 · Filed
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to operate. The contact stated that the steering wheel would knock from left to right and would unexpectedly seize. Due to the failure, the steering became difficult to control…
Owner-reported
2014 Kia Forte mileage at failure
261 of the 444 complaints on file for the 2014 Kia Forte give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.
| Component | Median | Middle half | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Median 100,000 miles | Middle half 70,000–135,000 miles | Based on 133 complaints |
A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.
Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.
These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.
Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.
Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2014 Kia Forte 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
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.
Cooling Fan Resistor May Melt
NHTSA #15V015000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice
Reported January 16, 2015 · Kia Motors America
Potentially affected: 86,880 vehicles
Repair completion: 74.91% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Kia campaign SC113 · Owners notified February 20, 2015 · Vehicles built December 5, 2012 – April 17, 2014 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kia Forte vehicles manufactured December 5, 2012, to April 17, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the cooling fan resistor may overheat and melt.
Safety consequence
If the cooling fan resistor overheats and melts, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Kia will notify owners, and for vehicles produced from December 5, 2012 to January 27, 2014, dealers will replace the cooling fan resistor and multi-fuse unit. For vehicles produced from January 28, 2014 to April 17, 2014, dealers will replace the multi-fuse unit only. Owners of vehicles with a 1.8L engine will also have the engine control unit software updated. The recall began on February 20, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC113.
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.
Other Kia Forte model years
Check your 2014 Kia Forte VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kia Forte at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Kia VIN