AI Damage2017 KIA Forte: common problems
Owners of the 2017 KIA Forte filed 305 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 118 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 305
- involving a crash
- 23
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 118
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 48% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 14% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 5% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 145 complaints (48% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Electrical system: 47 complaints (15% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 42.
- Exterior lighting: 44 complaints (14% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 29 complaints (10% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Air bags: 18 complaints (6% of all), 13 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 5 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 305 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 145 | 4 | 13 |
| Electrical system | 47 | 3 | 42 |
| Exterior lighting | 44 | 2 | 5 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 29 | 2 | 1 |
| Air bags | 18 | 13 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 14 | 0 | 23 |
| Powertrain | 12 | 0 | 14 |
| Structure | 10 | 2 | 19 |
| Steering | 9 | 1 | 6 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 1 | 15 |
| Visibility | 8 | 1 | 4 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 6 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Unknown, can’t see the road at night due to the headlights not aimed towards the right direction they seem to be pointed down and at different angles. I have ran into a ditch because of this safety hazard I also have to use my high beam in order to drive which is unsafe for other drivers on the road I am very…
-Airbags did not deploy. -The car is available for inspection. -The driver was put at significant risk after the vehicle accidentally slid on ice while navigating a sharp curve, causing it to veer off the road and crash into trees. The impact resulted in the car being totaled from the front bumper to the back.
Repeated engine failure. 10/1/2022 "internal problem required engine teardown found exhaust cvvt dowel pin had sheared off inside of exhaust camshaft causing excessive play. Replaced exhaust cvvt exhaust camshaft valve cover gasket rtv exhaust cvvt bolt timing chain tensioner timing chain and ocv.
My head lights keep shutting off and stop working, they have replace it twice already and again today Oct 7th 2021ir stopped working again, now I just replaced the bulbs on Sept 15th 2021 there shouldn't be any reason to change it out this soon. I keep calling the dealership about it and nothing back from them.
I already filed a complaint on this previously, however in 2020 my engine failed stop working. And I was unable to drive it or fix it. I lost my job, I had to get a rental car. The car lost speed while driving and would not go anymore..
When the fore dept arrived they noticed that the airbags did not deploy and disconnected the battery. I was advised that my air bags should've deployed. I was traveling north on a city street at about 35 miles and hour when I was hit.
The 2017 kia forte my client was driving was involved in an accident which resulted in moderate to heavy front end damage, approximate speed of impact was 20-25mph, the airbags did not deploy.
The air bag did not deploy nor did the seatbelt lock to keep me from hitting the steering wheel. Minor injuries sustained because of lack of protection. The police officer on scene noted that neither safety device worked in my vehicle. The officer examined the belt.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 207 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 10% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Forte has 96 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 305, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN
OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC238 Flight #501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace brake line(s) in certain 2014-2017…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated…
- PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN
OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2106 FLIGHT 501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2018 MY Kia Forte vehicles…
- CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN
OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY…
- PITSTOP
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver…
- PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN
OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2106) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2018 MY Kia Forte vehicles equipped with…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This…
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN
SALT-STATE: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC238) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia conducting Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace brake line(s) in certain 2014-2017 MY…
- PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN
OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2106) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2018 MY Kia Forte vehicles…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2106Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
NHTSA lists 118 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 KIA Forte?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 305. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (26%), stalls while driving (15%), headlights and tail lights (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 KIA Forte?
NHTSA lists 118 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 KIA Forte from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.