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Electrical systemPart report

2011 Kia Forte Electrical system Problems

Complaints
16about this part
Share
10%of 154 total for the year
Median mileage
81,360miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Kia Forte, 10% of the 154 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,360 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Brake light illuminates when car is off, I have to push up on brake pedal to turn it off. While driving it seems like the brake engages causing the car to lose power, I have to step off the gas, and reapply and sometimes it still feels like the brake is still engaged. This issue does happen at least 3 times daily. Pushing up on the brake pedal does get it to stop until I have to brake. While driving my traction control light will illuminate. I have replaced the brake light switch twice in 2021, thinking this would fix the issue and it does not. …”

NHTSA complaint #11408500, filed 2021-04, 200,000 miles

“Car would not come out of park. I had no idea at the time what the issue could be because in the Kia owners manual it does not state that once the brake lights go out, you can not take it out of park. Car would not go into gear until I used the shift lock release to take it out of gear. Drove it home and found a blown fuze (brake light fuse) .. Replaced it and drove fine (while it was doing this the electrical suspension light came on also). Fast forward 7 days, was driving out of town and the suspension light came on while driving down the expressway and I knew then the issue was back. …”

NHTSA complaint #10690252, filed 2015-02, 87,721 miles

“When you start the car while in park the locks on their own will lock and unlock repeatedly. If you start the car and put it in drive the locks will on their own again lock and unlock 7-8 times on their own. Since this issue the key set will not lock or unlock the door. Kia motors can't find the issue and has done nothing to fix it.”

NHTSA complaint #11013723, filed 2017-08, 75,000 miles

“Takata recall car starting smoking while driving on the highway.after the car was turned off smoke increased fire initiated in car on the left side(driver side) in the corner underneath windshield. Entire car engulfed in flames.”

NHTSA complaint #11120051, filed 2018-08, 200,000 miles

“I keep replacing light bulbs and the part where u introduce the light bulbs is melting. I was told to check for recall on these. Thanks. I bought this car used from a dealer 1 yr ago and had replaced like 4 bulbs within a year.”

NHTSA complaint #11064298, filed 2018-01

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024623%
20231117%
2022311%
2021812%
20201114%
20192315%
20181612%
20174715%
20162216%
20152911%
20145713%
20132513%
20123211%
20111610%
2010199%

Other parts of the 2011 Kia Forte

Engine
45 complaintsAir bags
35 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Kia Forte

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology