96 complaints reported

2017 Kia Forte Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
96
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Dec 2025

Not providing enough oil pressure for my timing to function correctly.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2025
Dec 2025

At ~84,000 miles the car started to ride rough. The engine would stall out while driving 55mph. I would have to roll off to the side of the road and try to restart the car. I took it to the dealership. They found metal flakes in the oil pan and now the engine is totaled. When googling 2017 Kia forte, this was a common manufacturer defect that resulted in a large class action lawsuit. My VIN isnt covered for any of these repairs.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: May 2025
Nov 2025

Engine light came on around 81k miles and I've replaced several components and it fixed then light would come back on. I kept up on oil changes frequently. I had the spark plugs, o2 sensors replaced twice. It would idle low and or stall. The engine started knocking at 135k I still owe 9k on loan and it's the 2.0L NU MPI M/T ENGINE. PLEASE RECALL IT ALREADY SO MANY OWNERS ARE BEING SCREWED ON THIS VEHICLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2025
Nov 2025

Consumo excesivo de aceite / Defecto del motor - Kia Forte 2017 -Estimado NHTSA, Me gustaría informar de un problema de consumo excesivo de aceite en mi Kia Forte 2017, que parece estar relacionado con un defecto interno del motor similar a los problemas previamente identificados en otros motores Kia. Mi vehículo fue inspeccionado por un concesionario autorizado de Kia, Miami Lakes Kia (Florida). Realizaron una prueba oficial de consumo de aceite y confirmaron que el motor consume aproximadamente 1 litro de aceite cada 1.000 millas, lo que está muy por encima de los niveles normales. El concesionario recomendó reemplazar el motor debido al desgaste interno. Abrí un caso formal con Kia America (caso #25501358) antes de recibir su denegación. Kia America reconoció mi caso, pero más tarde declaró que mi vehículo está "fuera de garantía" y "no está incluido en el acuerdo o en la garantía extendida por consumo de aceite". A pesar de esto, el problema refleja claramente un defecto de fabricación que podría conducir a fallas del motor y riesgos de seguridad durante la conducción (pérdida de presión de aceite, posible convulsión del motor o estancamiento a velocidades de autopista). Solicito respetuosamente que la NHTSA revise este caso y lo incluya en cualquier investigación sobre el consumo excesivo de aceite o los defectos del motor en los motores Kia 2.0L "Nu". Gracias por su atención y por ayudar a proteger la seguridad del consumidor. Saludos cordiales.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2023
Oct 2025

Overconsumption of oil, led to engine damage and stalling. Car struggles to start and there is an engine knock. Mechanic advised that the car is not drivable as it will stall while driving as it has done previously and there was a noticeable burning smell when the car was running. Car is under 100,000 miles

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2025
Sep 2025 Fire

my life was unsafe by being put in this vehicle whos engine was damaged and caught on fire while driving it as a MILITARY soldier.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: May 2025
Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a scanner determined that there was a failure with the crankshaft. The contact replaced the spark plugs and crankshaft; however, the failure returned. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic ,where a defect with the timing belt was found, and the mechanic discovered metal shavings inside the oil pump. The contact stated that an oil change was performed on the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The contact was then informed by the mechanic that the failure was possibly linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V260000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2025
Aug 2025

Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am submitting this safety complaint to request an investigation into the adequacy of Kia Motors’ recall coverage for oil pump failures in the 2017 Kia Forte. My vehicle recently experienced a complete oil pump failure, creating a serious risk of sudden engine seizure and potential loss of vehicle control. This type of failure poses an immediate danger to both occupants and other motorists. While Kia has issued recalls and service campaigns addressing oil pump defects in certain models and production ranges, my vehicle identification number (VIN) is not included—despite my case matching the symptoms, mechanical failures, and safety concerns described in those campaigns. This raises concern that the current recall scope is too limited and does not adequately protect all affected owners. Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, manufacturers are required to address safety-related defects in all affected vehicles at no cost to the consumer. If the recall scope is incomplete, other Kia Forte owners remain at risk of sudden mechanical failure, which could lead to crashes or injuries. I respectfully request that NHTSA review Kia’s recall parameters for this defect and determine whether additional VIN ranges should be included. I am prepared to provide detailed service records, diagnostic findings, and photographic evidence of the oil pump failure in my vehicle to assist with this review. Please confirm receipt of this complaint and inform me of the next steps in your investigation. I appreciate your attention to this urgent safety matter.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2025
Aug 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while his son was driving 35 MPH, the timing chain tensioner snapped, causing the vehicle to lose automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the timing chain tensioner, and timing chain were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2025
Aug 2025

Car started hesitating the RED OIL LIGHT came on on the dash it flickered on and off for a few days but and still goes on and off now but 90% of the time it stays on while car is in use. I don't have an oil leak and I'm not low on fluid. I believe foreign particles are getting clogged in oil pump and or filter. Most 2017 kia fortes already have a recall for this. I don't understand why mine isn't recalled also. Plz help. If I have engine damage and car stalls it could be a safety hazard for me and others. I have small children. Please help.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2025
Jul 2025 Crash

Unknown vehicle just went dead while driving

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2025
Jul 2025

Stalling when slowing or stopping.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2025
Jul 2025

I have been financing this vehicle since [XXX], I was driving to Tucson, AZ from Flagstaff, AZ. About 30 minutes into my drive my car made a loud noise, the engine and oil lights came on at the same time, my car started shaking and the engine was smoking. I have never experienced anything like that and I was extremely fearful for my life. I was alone on the interstate for some hours before I could figure out how to get back to Flagstaff… I got my car towed to a mechanic, they ran diagnostics and said my car has catastrophic engine failure, one of the rods shot through the engine. They found a used engine to replace my engine with, but the quote is nearly $8,000. The car itself is about $11,000. I am making minimum wage, I am already struggling to make ends meet as is, I poured a lot of money into that vehicle and I really trusted Camelback Subaru to help get me into a safe, reliable car to help me get to work and live my life, I just never imagined something like this would happen. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2025
Jul 2025

I am the original owner of this car and get all my oil changes and regular maintenance on time. The car has 123k miles. I was getting into the freeway evening of 10/3 and my car stopped accelerating was making a loud noise so I pulled off to the side of the road. Per the Kia dealership service department my engine completely failed. This is a known issue with this year and model but Kia is not helping me in any way with the replacement of my engine. Please help.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2025
May 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over, but the steering wheel and the brake pedal was stiff and almost unresponsive. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and observed that the check engine warning light was flashing. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and replaced the ignition coils and spark plugs. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,185.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2025
Apr 2025

My car is experiencing signs of the Kia Oil Pump recall that my VIN was not included in. However, I believe that needs to be reevaluated, as my car is having those same issues, as in engine failure due to oil pump issues. My car is now currently unable to turn on due to this issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2025
Apr 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that on several occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds and coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after each failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was discovered that there was debris from the skirt found in the oil, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact believed that the failure was associated with an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,071.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2025
Feb 2025

My car has been stalling when coming to a stop while driving in and around town Before stalling on the oil light flickers and the sometimes after I restart it the motor makes a clattering sound and if I press down on the accelerator pedal the noise fades off and then the motor runs for a while and then flickering oil light and stalls. I have 90,000+ miles and have used amsoil full synthetic with their oil filter and change the oil religiously. I flushed the vehicle oil system with a motor flush and changed the oil and since it seems ok. I am very concerned that my vehicle should have been included in the recall as my vehicle did exactly what it sounds like what has happened with the ones recalled. I'm concerned that something inside is inferior and needs to be replaced ASAP

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2025
Feb 2025

Engine knocking due to engine recall

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2025
Jan 2025

My car's acceleration pedal stopped responding while driving, and the oil warning light turned on in the dashboard. Gradually, the check engine light came on, and the car stopped moving. After researching, I found that a common issue with the 2017 Kia Forte is a potential problem with the oil pump, where foreign particles can become trapped inside, leading to oil pump failure and possible engine damage.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2025
Jan 2025

Car is continuously running out of oil, after looking here it seems to be an ongoing issue yet no recall sent out.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2025
Oct 2024

Was driving and vehicle started to stall and slow in traffic with no warning lights at all. Discovered that oil was empty after we had checked it before a trip. No oil warning lights came on to tell us that was no oil. In turn this damaged our vehicles timing chain and it needs repaired. I spoke with dealership and wanted them to do an oil consumption test because there was a problem and should not be using oil and not warning you of a low or no oil. They advised that was not an issue and could not do it. There are recalls on Kias for this exact thing but not my model. This is a safety issue because could case an accident without any warning.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2024
Oct 2024

The engine failed. Transmission wouldn’t switch. No prior warning but oil lamp. Was on Freeway when it happened. Problem has been confirmed but not with my vin. Lamp didn’t come on until It started to fail

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc. Type: Equipment, Vehicle: 9999 K&N POWERSPORTS OIL FILTER, Manufacturer: K&N Engineering, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2023
Aug 2024

Unknown I dropped my car off at the Kia dealership for them to do some recalls kia say the only re calls they had seen were 22V031000 and 21V622000.That they couldn’t do it cause it don’t show on the computer at the Hutchinson Kia of Albany

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2024
Jul 2024

The engine light came on and vehicle started stalling. It was cutting in and out as if it was going to die, so I had to simultaneously break and give it gas. It was taken to the mechanic and an ignition coil was replaced. A month later on the highway, the car began the same process but with no engine light coming on. It was again taken to the mechanic and kept for two weeks with nothing showing on the diagnostic machine. A week after taking it home, the light was on again. Same scenario, of not finding anything wrong with it. The issue began at 100,000 miles. The car is almost paid off and I don't feel comfortable driving it. I have small children and don't feel safe driving around. I have contacted Kia about a possible recall which was denied. It is available for inspection upon request. I'm so disappointed that Kia won't address the issue because I have seen so many reviews saying the same thing. The vehicle is seven years old and has had several recalls already. I will NOT purchase another Kia because of the lack of responsibility and refusal to fix the situation. I believe it's the oil lubrication pump because the reviews stating the same issues are spot on what is happening. The cost of replacing the pump is almost what the car is worth.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2017 KIA FORTE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2023

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2017 Kia Forte has 96 Engine complaints on file. 2 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.