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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2015 Kia Forte Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
6%of 262 total for the year
Median mileage
72,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2015 Kia Forte, 6% of the 262 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“On april 2020 we noticed that our 2015 Kia Forte was making loud, clanking noise. We took it to a local mechanic. Here is the problem in his words: * c/s there is a noise in the engine area, worse when cold. Engine has internal damage; unclear exactly where, but listening to a cold start from under the car seems to indicate a rod bearing. Removing the oil pan could help diagnose, but it isn't recommended as a replacement engine is the best solution regardless. He added 2.5 qts. Of oil since it was buring oil. He recommended we take it to a Kia dealer for further diagnosis. …”

NHTSA complaint #11375233, filed 2020-11, 82,141 miles

“I have had a 2015 Kia Forte with the gdi engine in it. I have been paying on it for over 2 years now. I went to the store last night and when I started the car after I got out of the store I heard a loud clanking noise. Come to find out there was no oil even though I have it serviced regularly. Was running fine, no indicator lights. Went up the road yesturday it was making loud clacking noise. I immediately pulled over. Called my daughter and she came to the location and said I had no oil! Even though I just had it changed. We put 4 qts in and had it towed home. Plz help!!! …”

NHTSA complaint #11268197, filed 2019-10, 68,000 miles

“I was driving on highway 8 in san diego,ca and I heard a loud rattling noise, the check engine light lit up and the engine died and I was lucky to be able to coast the car to the shoulder of the freeway. I had it towed to my Kia dealership in el cajon, ca. They looked at it and told me my engine seized and the engine was blown. I bought this car 11 months ago as a cpo and it is within the warranty of 10 yrs/100,000 miles. I've only put 21,000 miles on it. They are asking for my maintenance records and are having a special investigator to come out on 7/31/2018 to determine the cause. …”

NHTSA complaint #11114380, filed 2018-07, 70,000 miles

“When driving my 2015 Kia Forte, it sometimes when giving it gas to go it will not shift correctly, it taking a second or two. And RPM jump to 3500 to 4000 before it shifts. And it get bad fuel mileage sometimes too.”

NHTSA complaint #11388334, filed 2021-01, 113,319 miles

“I recently inherited this car from my mother and it appears that the engine may have issues. There is a loud noise that comes from the engine intermittently. It is louder at times then other times. The oil level is fine and recent. I've done a lot of research and it appears this is a common problem for the 2.0 engine. I feel as though this could turn into a bigger scenario if something is not done for the lack of expense a person must put into these engines.”

NHTSA complaint #11479147, filed 2022-08

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024415%
2023812%
202227%
2021710%
20201621%
20194832%
201886%
2017124%
20161612%
2015176%
2014184%
2013105%
2012114%
20111812%
20102310%

Other parts of the 2015 Kia Forte

Engine
160 complaintsOther or unknown
31 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsAir bags
23 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2015 Kia Forte

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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