2018 KIA FORTE Complaints

View complaints related to 2018 KIA FORTE. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 130 complaints submitted for the 2018 KIA FORTE. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2018 KIA FORTE
    - Kansas City, MO

    While driving on U.S. 69 highway in Overland Park, Kansas, the engine in my 2018 Kia Forte suddenly failed without warning. I was entering the northbound lanes from the 95th Street on-ramp and was accelerating to merge at about 50 mph. There had been no prior warning lights or messages. Just after getting into the right lane to merge with traffic, the engine lost power and the car began slowing down quickly. I had vehicles behind me that were still moving at highway speed. I had to react immediately, and fortunately the driver behind me was able to brake. I turned on my signal and coasted as best I could to the shoulder of the highway. Only after the failure did the check engine light come on. The engine never restarted and the vehicle had to be towed. This incident created a serious safety risk to me and to other drivers on the highway. A car entering the highway and then immediately losing power is not something other drivers expect, and I could have been hit from behind. There was no prior warning or symptom before the failure. The vehicle has since been diagnosed by a Kia dealer as needing an engine replacement.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 KIA FORTE
    - Shreveport, LA

    MY VEHICLE IS USING ALOT OF OIL AND WILL NOT START THE WARNING COMES UP IS CONCERNING THE OIL PUMP.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 KIA FORTE
    - Halifax, PA

    Right break light fills up with water. Consistently changing break light bulbs due to moisture in the break light.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 KIA FORTE
    - Toms River , NJ

    the engine was burning oil unknown to me. You had an oil change completed at 101k miles and 106k miles and there was no oil left in the engine per mechanic. This caused the check engine light to turn on. Upon running the engine scans the code for a crankshaft error was discovered. P0017 The mechanic has now stated that a new engine is required due to the damage done to the engine because of the oil loss.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 KIA FORTE
    - Clayton, NC

    ABS light, parking break light, tire pressure light, ESC light, and outdoor temperature and climate control all flicker and the speedometer stops working. Multiple cars with same make and model have same issue and are constantly in and out of the dealer with the issue unresolved.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 KIA FORTE
    - visalia, CA

    Unknown. Fire was located under in the engine compartment area and fire was visible from below the engine under the car. When it happened I was driving on the freeway when noticed my car seemed to be struggling stay at the current speend and to loose speed then a it suddenly l no longer would accerlatoed so I pulled over to call 911 a passing vehicle stopped and informed me there was flames under my car. I safetly exited and called for emergency services. The Safety risk of major bodily harm by fire to myself or risk of harm to the environment around me a risk. The check engine light had come on before the fire. Reached out to manufacturer for a fire investigation and was instructed to take car to dealership to for service department to inspect. Was told a ETA of 2 weeks before they will check out my car.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 KIA FORTE
    - Montebello, CA

    Steering wheel making a clicking noise when turning both ways, stationed and moving, also rattles a lot when going over speed bumps, seems like a manufacturer defect as this is a common thing heard around these Kia’s

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 KIA FORTE
    - Fayetteville , NC

    In January 2025, Shortly after an oil change (6-7days after), the vehicle first slowed down abruptly while driving and had a clinking sound. The vehicle was then pulled into a parking spot, refrained from driving due to the clinking sound. It was then towed to a Kia dealership in Jacksonville NC, diagnosed as engine failure at the cost of over $9000. The vehicle has been at the lot since January of 2025 because we can't afford the cost. Similar Kia vehicles have been recalled, and we would like this particular vehicle investigated. We purchased the vehicle in November of 2022 from a used car sales lot.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 KIA FORTE
    - Attica, MI

    Oil pressure problems blew the engines. Yes it’s available to look at at this time Car stalled multiple times while driving Has been confirmed by two mechanics Oil light went on when stalled

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 KIA FORTE
    - Red Bluff, CA

    About a week ago, I noticed small chips in the Pearl White paint on the hood of my Kia Forte 5. One of the chips has started a peeling of the paint which has benn steadily getting larger. This indicates a delamination is occurring. Many Kia owners have been posting about this with the Pearl White paint. I asked my local Kia service center in Redding, CA today about it. He said he knew nothing of this as a problem and said it looks like I got hit by rocks which caused the problem and offered no assistance in how to resolve the problem. I hope someone will look into this issue and address the problem that many of us are experiencing. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE