The 2014 Kia Forte has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 516,002 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 639 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE20V7500002020-12-02294,756 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
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. …
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC17V7730002017-12-01134,366 affected
Defect
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…
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…
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.
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.
Consequence
If the cooling fan resistor overheats and melts, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
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…
Complaints by component
ENGINE
212
3crashes23fires2injuries
STEERING
62
4crashes3injuries
AIR BAGS
61
21crashes18injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
56
3crashes10fires1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
49
7crashes7fires3injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
26
4crashes6injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
24
1crashes3fires3injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
18
1crashes
POWER TRAIN
17
2crashes1fires1injuries
STRUCTURE:BODY
17
2crashes2fires1injuries
Total complaints639
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2014 kia forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that while exiting the contact's residence and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that seconds later, the contact noticed fire coming from the engine…”
“See attachment”
“Engine backfiring”
“The contact owns a 2014 kia forte. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed,…”
“The contact owns a 2014 kia forte. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 20v750000 (engine); however, the recall repair was not fully performed. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate at slower speeds, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 mph and…”
“Unknown there is a knock in the motor.”
“The air bad light is on and horn dose not working currently there is a open recall on the clutch spring for the air bag but my vin say no repair”
“I had a brake system failure of some sort happen today. My life and the lives of many others were put in extreme danger. I was driving at about 40 mph and was approaching a red light. I pressed down on my brake pedal to begin slowing down, but I got absolutely nothing in response. Out of panic, I…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA21003 Opened 2021-12-22 · closed 2024-02-05
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2014 Kia Forte as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.