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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2017 Kia Forte Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
12about this part
Share
4%of 305 total for the year
Median mileage
1,975miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Kia Forte, 4% of the 305 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,975 miles.

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

“My car begins randomly shaking. I have had all maintenance done at the Kia dealership as per my warranty specifies. The last 4 weeks, my car will randomly shake violently while idle, attempting to accelerate in the different drive modes. Yesterday, june 21st, 2018, my car started shaking violently as I was parked at the food city in chattanooga on ooltewah ringgold road.I was on facebook video messenger with my friend eating a mcchicken. I dropped my sandwich and immediately popped the hood. Upon opening, I see the engine shaking violently as before. My friend witnessed it as well. …”

NHTSA complaint #11103452, filed 2018-06, 33,000 miles

“Rough idling. Rough gear shift from 1st to 2nd and srutter on 3rd. Loss of power during take offs. Car is only 20,800 miles. Checked twice on dealer. Only wiped code and reset computer. Claim not to be able to replicate. Issue comes back with check engine light 30 mins after driving away.”

NHTSA complaint #11349949, filed 2020-08, 30 miles

“I purchased this vehicle from Carvana, used, with 58000 miles. I have had all the oil changes and regular maintenance performed. However, this car has been very unreliable. One time in November 2023, all the electrical went out while I was driving down the highway going 50 mph. The power steering and all dashboard lights turned off and the car shut down. Were it not for the fact the road was straight and I could veer off slightly to stop on the side of the road, I could have experienced a crash. Others have pointed this out about KIA cars. …”

NHTSA complaint #11642089, filed 2025-02

“About September 6th I was driving my vehicle. It is a blue Kia forte 2017. I just had cleaned it at a local car wash. Prior to this 1-2 weeks before my ac had just started to blow hot air. So I recharged it with some recharge that I purchased a recharge can and my buddy Scott helped me put it into my low pressure air conditioning valve area. Soon after like I said when I was leaving a car wash. And I drove down to a gas station and as I start braking my car started running a lot slower. Then finally it almost halted and all the dash lights all illuminated everywhere. …”

NHTSA complaint #11690694, filed 2025-10

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 2017 Kia Forte

Engine
145 complaintsOther or unknown
49 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsExterior lighting
44 complaintsFuel system
30 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsEngine cooling
14 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 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