2017 Kia Forte Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year center on the 2.0L engine: owners describe sudden power loss and stalling, often followed by a mechanic finding internal damage and recommending engine replacement. A second frequent theme is low-beam headlights that burn out or flicker repeatedly, and owners also report intermittent no-starts, trunk latch problems tied to a recall, and stalling traced to fuel-system parts. Engine complaints cluster at higher mileage than the lighting and starting complaints.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine failure, stalling and internal damage

   • 117 complaints (38%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (48 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $5,700 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle losing power or stalling while driving at highway and city speeds, sometimes with an oil or battery warning light and sometimes with no warning at all. Many say a mechanic found metal debris or shavings in the oil pan or oil pump and told them the engine needed to be replaced. Several mention abnormal knocking, rattling or ticking from the engine before or after the failure, and some owners relate the experience to recall 21V260000 while reporting the dealer said their VIN was not covered. Mostly reported between roughly 80,000 and 135,000 miles, with a few at much lower mileage.

   Recall 21V2600005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for the full service history and whether any engine or oil-pump work was done under warranty or a campaign; listen for cold-start rattle or knock and check the oil level and condition before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I already filed a complaint on this previously, however in 2020 my engine failed stop working. And I was unable to drive it or fix it. I lost my job, I had to get a rental car. The car lost speed while driving and would not go anymore..”

   NHTSA complaint #11408511, filed 2021-04, 80,000 miles

   “My 2017 Kia Forte has major engine problems after only 130,000 miles. The car just died on my son going down the road and after it started make loud knocking noise. There was no warning lights on at all. The engine is done for. I am the only owner of this car and have kept it maintanced well. I have realized after reading all the other people with issues that the oil pump on the car have cause engine damage and Kia has replaced engines. I do believe this is what has caused my troubles”

   NHTSA complaint #11488798, filed 2022-10, 130,000 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Low-beam headlights burning out or flickering

   • 51 complaints (17%)
   • median 45,864 mi at 3.4 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners report low-beam headlights that go out repeatedly, often within months of replacement, sometimes both at once and sometimes flickering off when a turn signal is used or the car hits a bump. Several say the bulbs themselves looked fine and they suspect an electrical or switch problem, and some describe the lights as dim even when new. According to the complaints, dealers typically replaced bulbs or told owners the behavior was normal, and some were told it was not covered under warranty. Reported from very low mileage up to about 70,000 miles, frequently at night while driving.

   What to check: Test both low beams at night and cycle the turn signals and high beams while watching for flicker; ask whether the headlight switch or wiring has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving down the road the headlights flicker and go out completely. I have to flip the turn signal switch or tap the column to get them to turn back on . It happens several times on my 32 mile trip home from work at night . It happens in motion or stationary. Mainly when I use a turn signal or hit a bump in the road .”

   NHTSA complaint #11339856, filed 2020-07, 12,000 miles

   “Headlights have gone out multiple times even after replacement with new headlight bulbs. There has been one occasion where the headlights went out while I was driving at night on a busy road. I've had to replace the headlights at least every 6 months because of this issue. *when did this happen* date is the most recent of all occurrences. Headlights are also always very dim even with new bulbs.”

   NHTSA complaint #11372353, filed 2020-10, 40,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Intermittent no-start and stalling from electrical or

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the car sometimes failing to start, with only a clicking sound from the ignition, or stalling and shutting off while driving and then requiring several attempts to restart. Some owners describe warning lights such as ESC, ABS or battery illuminating around the same time, and a few report a burning smell or smoke traced to wiring. Owners say dealers sometimes could not reproduce the fault or declined coverage, and one complaint describes burned wiring found during a safety inspection. Mostly reported between roughly 25,000 and 85,000 miles, under varied conditions.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the anti-theft software update and any inhibitor switch service have been done, and check for a slow or clicking crank, dash warning lights and any signs of prior wiring repair.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was pulling out onto a main road. My car completely lost power and almost stalled. The car barely moved forward and tbe rpms were erratic. I almost got hit by a tractor trailer. When I finally sputtered into work, the rpms in park were jumping between 1000 and 2000 rpms. I do not feel safe in this car.. It only has 8,700 miles...”

   NHTSA complaint #11316614, filed 2020-03, 8,700 miles

   “I tooken my 2017 Kia Forte in to the dealership countless occasions for the same issue and still with no avail. As I'm driving the car all of a sudden the car starts shaking the engine light goes on then the car either shuts off on its own then got to wait it out for it to start. If I go to turn on the AC the car also shuts off. I've almost gotten hit due to the car un reliability.”

   NHTSA complaint #11350053, filed 2020-08, 41,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Stalling and rough running traced to fuel system

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the engine sputtering, hesitating or shutting off at stops and when accelerating, with some reporting that the car would not restart afterward. Complaints mention fuel pump, purge valve and fuel injector work being tried in sequence, and one describes a broken fuel line with smoke under the hood. Rough idle and erratic engine speed at very low mileage are also reported. Reported from near-new mileage up to about 95,000 miles, often when stopping or accelerating.

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump, purge valve or injectors have been serviced, and note any hesitation or rough idle during a test drive, especially when coming to a stop.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I can to a stop while car is running most of the time the car is sputtering and when I go to accelerate it sputters and it doest take off normally unless I push down on the gas pedal 1/2 to full power while driving on city streets.....”

   NHTSA complaint #11324258, filed 2020-05, 75,000 miles

   “When coming to a stop, or slowing down, the oil pressure light will come on and the car will die suddenly. At first it would crank right back up, but now it is getting more and more difficult to get started again. Vehicle also takes awhile to get going, even pushing all the way down on the gas, after getting it restarted.”

   NHTSA complaint #11327830, filed 2020-06, 97,000 miles

Buying note. These complaints are mostly about engine wear at higher mileage, so a pre-purchase inspection that includes an oil check and a compression or engine-noise assessment is worthwhile. Also confirm which open recalls and campaigns have been completed on the specific vehicle, since several complaints mention parts or software updates that were not yet applied.

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.