2017 Kia Forte Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 3%of 305 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 2017 Kia Forte, 3% of the 305 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,100 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“The vehicle is the s model, new for 2017, I have driven the car approximately 2,000 miles since leasing it in september 2016. The car has poor acceleration, especially going up hills and merging into traffic (moving, city). It hesitates at traffic signals (from a dead stop). The vehicle tends to sway side to side from time to time (moving, city), the vehicle is under warranty and has been looked at by two different Kia dealers. A technician has rode along with me; felt my concerns, but cannot duplicate it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11004092, filed 2017-07, 1,975 miles“Accelerating between 35mph and 45mph, steering wheel locked causing loss of control of vehicle. Driver let off gas and attempted brakes which did not engage. Vehicle struck guardrail on front passenger side. Vehicle then did a 180, driver side door then collided with the guardrail. Driver seatbelt did not lock, no airbags deployed. Driver sustained minor injuries including whiplash and head injury. Vehicle was traveling down a 2 lane city road. Vehicle had 46,000 miles and was just serviced by Kia dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #11172094, filed 2019-01, 46,000 miles“Experienced temporary loss of electronic power steering (EPS) on 10FEB24. After driving about 15 miles returning from across town, my wife experienced a momentary loss of the EPS while slowing to make a left turn into our subdivision. She was able to wrestle the wheel through the turn with difficulty but then stopped the car to decide whether she should keep driving. After just a moment, she decided to try and when she pulled forward found that the power steering was working again. She made two more left turns over the two blocks to our house and had no trouble. …”
NHTSA complaint #11572677, filed 2024-02“I am submitting this formal complaint regarding a serious safety issue I experienced with my 2017 Kia Forte. While driving, my steering wheel suddenly locked up & I was unable to turn left or right. This failure occurred in the middle of the road & put my life at serious risk. Thankfully, I was not involved in an accident. I was able to activate my hazard lights & safely maneuver to a stop before calling for assistance. My vehicle had to be towed to a repair shop, where I was informed that this is a known issue related to the MDPS (Motor Driven Power Steering) & ECU (Electronic Control Unit). …”
NHTSA complaint #11690342, filed 2025-09“2017 Kia Forte. Consumer writes in regards to cracking noises on steering wheel. The consumer stated the vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred.”
NHTSA complaint #11032408, filed 2018-03Related service bulletins
- 10202226Oct 5, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10189545Mar 25, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10185033Dec 16, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 7-SPEED DCT JUDDER INSPECTION AND DUAL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace Dual Clutch Assembly and upgrade…
- 10183333Nov 25, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10183332Nov 4, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10168850Nov 26, 2019TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.This bulletin…
- 10167301Oct 15, 2019TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB084_R3: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.This…
- 10128618Jan 25, 2018TSB - STEERING GEAR YOKE PLUG AND ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the steering gear box yoke plug and assembly on some 2014-2017MY Forte…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 4% |
| 2023 | 15 | 23% |
| 2022 | 4 | 14% |
| 2021 | 9 | 13% |
| 2020 | 3 | 4% |
| 2019 | 9 | 6% |
| 2018 | 5 | 4% |
| 2017 | 9 | 3% |
| 2016 | 5 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% |
| 2014 | 64 | 14% |
| 2013 | 13 | 7% |
| 2012 | 9 | 3% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 11 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2017 Kia Forte
145 complaintsOther 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 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 28, 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