Skip to content
EnginePart report

2017 Kia Forte Engine Problems

Complaints
145about this part
Share
48%of 305 total for the year
Median mileage
69,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 145 complaints about the engine of the 2017 Kia Forte, 48% of the 305 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,500 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“2.0 has 73k miles on it. Engine noisy when cold start, like a rattle and knock for about 2 seconds. Oil is good and no codes. Even when warmed up, the engine almost sounds like the multi port engines made in the 80's and 90s when accelerating. Kind of a 'wa wa wa wa wa' sound. To me, it sounds like it is ready to 'check out'. Someone told me it could be rod bearings.”

NHTSA complaint #11390416, filed 2021-01, 72,000 miles

“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

“While driving my check engine light came on and the car began increased vibration. The light would go off when coasting and turn back on when accelerating. By the time I got home the vibrations continued even when in park as well as not acceleraing. Engine code p0303 was read from the engine light. I have now replaced the second coil pack on a cylinder in the past 5 months.”

NHTSA complaint #11288880, filed 2019-12, 64,750 miles

“I was driving my Kia Forte 2016 in a regular street when it started jerking before it stalled. Luckily I pulled up quickly enough to avoid being stuck in the middle of the road. I waited few minutes then I started it again and I drove off. I did not have this issue with this vehicle, but I started looking into it online when I realized other Kia models were recalled for the same issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11288309, filed 2019-12, 20 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024831%
2023914%
2022414%
20212232%
20202026%
20193825%
20185742%
201714548%
20166649%
201515861%
201421649%
201310755%
201216155%
20114529%
20107433%

Other parts of the 2017 Kia Forte

Other or unknown
49 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsExterior lighting
44 complaintsFuel system
30 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 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