2014 Kia Forte Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine problems: ticking or knocking noises, heavy oil consumption, stalling and, in some cases, engine replacement. The reports span a wide mileage range, from under 60,000 miles to well past 150,000, and many appear gradually rather than suddenly. Steering noises and an airbag warning light that stays on are the next most common themes in the sampled complaints.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine knocking, oil consumption and stalling

   • 185 complaints (42%)
   • median 94,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (123 state mileage)
   • 20 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $5,111 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Complaints describe a ticking or knocking sound that grows louder over time, often first noticed on acceleration, along with unusually high oil use that owners say requires frequent topping up. Many report the engine losing power, shuddering or stalling while driving, sometimes with smoke from under the hood or exhaust. Several owners say an independent mechanic or the dealer diagnosed worn rod bearings or cylinder damage and recommended engine replacement; a few mention a knock sensor software update or an engine replacement under the recall campaign. Reported across the sample from roughly 50,000 to over 150,000 miles, with many appearing between about 60,000 and 130,000 miles.

   Recall 20V7500009 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the knock sensor detection software update was applied and whether any engine or oil consumption test was done. Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burning smell, and listen for ticking at cold start and under acceleration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine has been using oil for last 15 to 20,000 miles approximately 1 quart every thousand miles. Engine started to knock about 120000 miles. Oil changed religiously every 3 to 4000 miles. I I'm a professional mechanic and engine machinist disassembled the engine found contamination in bearings, main bearings and rod bearings. Unusual wear not generally seen in other manufacturers engines.”

   NHTSA complaint #11341458, filed 2020-07, 143,000 miles

   “My car shakes when you hit the brakes//doesnt drive smooth at all. Somehow the oil leaks through the rings in the engine and I cannot keep oil in it. I refill the whole oil container at least once a month now and put oil stabilizer in it. If I get an oil change, it is empty the next week.”

   NHTSA complaint #11407470, filed 2021-04, 120,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light stays on

   • 58 complaints (13%)
   • median 83,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 19 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2026

   Complaints describe the airbag warning light coming on and staying lit, sometimes flickering on and off at startup. In several reports the horn and steering wheel buttons stop working at the same time, and owners say they were told a clock spring or airbag control module needed replacement. Some owners state they were informed their vehicle identification number was not covered by a related airbag recall. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 125,000 miles, often appearing without any prior collision.

   What to check: Start the car and confirm the airbag light goes out after the self-check, and test the horn and steering wheel buttons. Ask whether the clock spring or airbag module has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The airbag light came on, and the horn as well as the steering wheel buttons have all stopped working. I was told that a spring clock needs to be replaced somewhere but I bought the car brand new and its only 6 years old. Also my catalytic converter went out and my car is burning fuel and or oil and no one can tell me why. I wasn't doing anything but a normal drive when these issues began to occur. Help”

   NHTSA complaint #11327760, filed 2020-06, 140,000 miles

   “Airbag light on dashboard came on and randomly comes on and off. Sometimes when I just start it it will come on and then go off. Called dealership to ask if any recalls about the issue and they said none. Scared that airbag might go off randomly or not work at all. Read that other years have had same issue and they have been recalled. Never been in accident second owner of vehicle. Had vehicle for 3 years now and get it serviced regularly.”

   NHTSA complaint #11300280, filed 2020-01, 83,400 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine compartment fire and burning smell

   • 94 complaints (21%)
   • median 98,212 mi at 6.4 yrs old (59 state mileage)
   • 36 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2026

   Some complaints describe smoke or flames coming from the engine compartment while driving or shortly after the vehicle was parked, and others report a burning smell from under the hood before a stall. Several owners link their experience to the engine compartment fire recall campaign, and some state their vehicle identification number was not included in it. In a few cases the vehicle caught fire while parked. Reported across a wide mileage span, from about 50,000 to nearly 200,000 miles, sometimes following a stall or loss of power.

   Recall 20V750000

   What to check: Ask whether the engine compartment fire recall work was completed on this vehicle, and have a mechanic check for oil or fuel leaks and inspect the cooling fan resistor area.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car was having some ... Pause, when pressing on the gas so it was taken to a Kia dealer and they said it was the fuel injection so we paid the 200 plus dollars to get it fixed, this happen on a friday, after the fix we feuled up and saturday the car was not used on sunday morning getting to church the car motor was on fire. This happened near thacker ave”

   NHTSA complaint #11396922, filed 2021-02, 50,000 miles

   “My vehicle began ticking and emitting large clouds of smoke from the exhaust. I received a letter advising me that my vehicle is included in a safety recall. I took it to ed voyles Kia in chamblee, ga and was told the issues are not related to the recall. I find this difficult to believe. The car has appox 150,000 miles. I do not feel safe driving it based on the fact that other affected vehicles have had engine compartment fires and that the cause of the fires has not been identified. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11403958, filed 2021-03, 150,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Clicking or popping noise from the steering column

   • 33 complaints (7%)
   • median 61,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe a clicking, popping or ticking sound when turning the wheel, heard both at a standstill and while driving, and say it gets louder over time. Some reports mention excessive play or vibration in the steering wheel, and in a few cases the wheel became hard to turn. Complaints state the dealer traced it to the flexible coupling in the steering column or the steering motor assembly and replaced the part. Reported from around 10,000 miles up to about 140,000 miles, often noticed at low speeds while turning.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock with the car parked and listen for clicking, and check for looseness or play in the wheel. Ask whether the steering column coupler has been inspected or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2014 Kia Forte has started making a clicking/popping noise when I am turning right or left. It sounds like the steering wheel is gonna come off of the steering column where it locks, and I am afraid it is gonna lock up on me driving down the road. It clicks/pops whether the vehicle is stationary or if you are driving, and is getting worse.”

   NHTSA complaint #11351443, filed 2020-08, 105,000 miles

   “There is a noticeable noise each time when turning the steering wheel both at rest and in motion. The vehicle and steering wheel has excessive vibration when braking. There is also excessive play in the steering wheel. The suspected problem is a failure of the flexible coupling in the steering column. Kia has addressed this issue in other model cars such as the optima of the same model year but not for the Forte.”

   NHTSA complaint #11352866, filed 2020-09, 65,000 miles

Buying note. Engine-related reports dominate this model year, so a pre-purchase inspection focused on oil consumption, noise and recall history is worth the cost. Ask for documentation of completed recall work, particularly the engine compartment fire and brake pedal switch campaigns, and check the airbag light and steering for noise on a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.