About this problem
Engine failure complaints describe engines that knock, seize or stop running entirely, often with a sudden loss of power on the road. The usual mechanical cause is wear in the connecting rod bearings, which can follow from manufacturing debris, low oil or oil starvation. Once a bearing fails, the engine usually needs to be replaced. Some failures on these engines are covered by recalls or extended warranties.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Kia Forte since 2012, 526 (23.7%) describe engine knocking and failure, making it the most reported problem we track on the Forte. The reports cluster on the 2012, 2014 and 2015 model years, and the 2014 drew the most, with 111. It tends to show up at higher mileage: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 70,000 and 118,000 miles. 29 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. No recall covers it, but Kia has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Owners of 2012 to 2016 Fortes report engine knocking, stalling and engines that failed, sometimes with fires. Many are covered by Kia's engine recalls and warranty extension.
How it gets fixed
Kia replaces failed engines under recall or warranty extension after a knock sensor software update.
Typical cost: Free if covered. Otherwise a replacement engine costs $3,500 to $6,000.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"At 70,000 miles the engine started knocking at cold start up and continuing to get worse. Oil has been changed every 5,000 to 7,000 as Kia recommends. I have contacted Kia about this issue and they said my engine is not a recall."
2012 Kia Forte, 70,000 miles
"Prior to the engine incident I was experiencing the lights flickering , power window malfunctions. The incident occurred on 6/21/2020(father's day morning). I was on my way to the store when my cars engine seized suddenly."
2015 Kia Forte, 87,000 miles
"At approximately 100k miles in 2018 car began consuming what I deemed more than normal oil between 4000 mile service intervals as well as began a slight knocking sound. Kia dealership attributed this to 100k miles and normal engine wear."
2014 Kia Forte, 155,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins
Kia has sent dealers 24 bulletins that mention this problem on the Forte. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2018 MY Kia Forte vehicles equipped ...
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: NU 2.0L GDI - KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM (KSDS) ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI2106) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the K...
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update...
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU...
SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2106Y/Z) - This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published (PI2106) titled Nu 2.0L GDI - Knock Sensor ...
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 vehic...
Government investigations
Engineering analysis EA21003 · 2012–2015 · opened Dec 2021, closed Feb 2024
Before you buy a Forte
- Ask for oil change records; long gaps are a red flag on these engines.
- Listen for knocking or ticking at idle and when accelerating.
- Check by VIN for open engine recalls and for any extended engine warranty.
Questions
Which Kia Forte years have engine knocking and failure?
Complaints are highest for the 2012, 2014, 2015 model years. The 2014 drew the most, with 111 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 89,000 miles, and half reported it between 70,000 and 118,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Free if covered. Otherwise a replacement engine costs $3,500 to $6,000.