What's Wrong with the 1st Generation (2010–2014) Forte?

Forte owners have made 131 complaints about the 2010–2014 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 38th out of 42 Kia generations in overall reliability, with real engine and interior concerns.

Compare With Other Forte Generations

Common 2010-2014 Kia Forte Problems

Some of the worst issues 1st generation Forte owners have to deal with.

  3. Rodents Chew Kia's Soy Wiring

    Rodents just can't resist the soy-derived wire coatings used in Kia vehicles. The chewed up wires are costing owners hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars in repairs. However, this isn't a Kia-only problem.

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Kia's Soy Wiring"

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

1st Generation (2010–2014) Forte Key Numbers

  1. 5 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 131 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 38th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 42 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 1st Generation Forte Owners

  • Thornhill, et al., v. Hyundai Motor Company, et al.

    1. Case Filed

      A Hyundai and Kia engine lawsuit alleges several models are equipped with defective gasoline direct injection (GDI) and multipoint fuel injection (MPI) engines which may catch fire.

    Class Vehicles
    • 2012-2015 Forte
    • 2012-2015 Forte Koup
    • 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid
    • 2012-2013 Sorento
    • 2014-2015 Soul
    • 2012 Sportage
    Location
    California

Recent 1st Generation (2010–2014) Forte News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Another owner has sued Hyundai and Kia for knowingly equipping vehicles with defective Theta II engines.

    Proving once again that when it comes to engines that catch on fire, people generally aren't fans. The automakers have settled similar lawsuits and issued recalls for these clunkers, but the plaintiff suggests not all affected vehicles were included.…

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Not Enough Vehicles Were Covered in the Theta II Recalls"

  2. Kia is recalling the Forte and the I had no idea they even made this Forte Koup for brake light issues.

    The problem is caused by the material used to make the brake pedal stopper pad that is located between the brake light switch and the brake pedal arm … Kia says the material can fall apart over time and allow the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.

    When these things happen, the brake lights can turn – and stay on – even when you’re not stopping. This is just another in a long line of brake light switch problems for Kia. In 2013, they recalled more than 600,000 vehicles and then issued a follow-up recall in 2015.

    keep reading article "The Forte’s Brake Lights Can Stay On Even When The Car Isn’t Stopping"

  3. One Kia owner has had enough of gnawed wires leading to dashboard warning lights and multiple calls to the insurance company.

    Tsvetelin Tsonev filed a class-action lawsuit because his 2015 Soul is being used like a chew toy. The plaintiff says he leased a 2015 Kia Soul in April 2015 that has allegedly been damaged three times because the automaker keeps replacing soy-based wiring with more soy wiring, inviting more critters to snacktime.

    OK, so it turns out rodents don’t really snack on the coating, but they do love chewing on it and making nests out of it.

    And if you’re wondering just how much damage a rodent could do, brace yourself.…

    keep reading article "Soy Wires are Still Being Chewed Up. Maybe Kia Should Stop Advertising with Rodents."

  5. Another day, another manufacturer getting sued for using soy-based wire coating.

    Plaintiff Campbell claims her 2014 Kia Optima was damaged in December 2016 when rodents chewed the wire harness and wiring. Campbell asked Kia to cover the repairs under warranty but after allegedly making her wait almost a month with the Kia Optima sitting at the dealership, Kia denied her claim for coverage.

    This is not a Kia-only problem. Other automakers have made the switch to a soy-based wire coatings and are facing similar lawsuits including Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, and Subaru.

    The lawsuit covers owners or lessees in California, Texas, and NJ with most of the 2012-2017 Kia lineup.

    keep reading article "Kia Sued for Using A Soy-Based Wire Coating"