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Body and structurePart report

2011 Kia Forte Body and structure Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
5%of 154 total for the year
Median mileage
68,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the body and structure of the 2011 Kia Forte, 5% of the 154 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“I was hit head-on at 65mph and my airbags failed to deploy. It has caused me horrible injuries including a cervical neck fusion, bilateral sacroiliac joint fusions, necessity of a total hysterectomy due to my uterus & felopian tubes perforating, gastric adhesions and a total knee replacement. I hold Kia responsible. I had confidence that I would be safe in my 2011 Kia Forte. I lost my very essence of being a woman because my airbags failed after being clobbered head-on by a full-size pick-up truck. …”

NHTSA complaint #11084652, filed 2018-04, 13,000 miles

“When driving straight along an interstate with my cruise control set to the speed limit, a loud bang came from under the hood of my Kia, the check engine indicator turned on, and smoke began to pour out from under the hood and inside my car through the air vents. When I pushed the gas pedal gently, there was a low guttural noise and my car was not picking up speed. I put my car into neutral and coasted to the shoulder with low visibility as the smoke became more dense and darker in color. …”

NHTSA complaint #10908482, filed 2016-09, 68,000 miles

“Traveling 45 to 55 MPH ran into four large deers and ran off road. Damage front of car. Air bag light came on but did not flate. I substain severe shoulder injury.”

NHTSA complaint #11079973, filed 2018-03, 110,000 miles

“I was in motion, turning left from 13th street norfolk ne, into the grocery store parking lot, when another vehicle crashed into my drivers side and rear door directly in the middle. My drivers side door was unable to open, and the frame between both door was dented in.”

NHTSA complaint #11404931, filed 2021-03

“My mother purchased a new Kia Forte a few days ago. Came home from food shopping opened the trunk to take out her groceries. She bent over reached in the trunk to remove a bag and the trunk slammed down on the back of her neck causing severe bruising. I went over to see what was wrong . The car was parked in the middle of the driveway and when I raised the trunk and let go it slammed down. I was with her when she purchased the vehicle and the trunk stayed open by itself . We could not find any visible reason why this had happened. …”

NHTSA complaint #10408870, filed 2011-06

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202414%
202346%
202134%
202011%
201943%
201875%
2017103%
201654%
201542%
2014184%
201321%
201293%
201185%
201052%

Other parts of the 2011 Kia Forte

Engine
45 complaintsAir bags
35 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsExterior lighting
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 27, 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