Model year
2011 Kia Forte
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 154 complaints for the 2011 Kia Forte (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 8 complaints under FORTE KOUP. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. 1 recall marked park outside. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (45), AIR BAGS (34), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (18). NHTSA lists 3 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 2 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 26–30 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,250–$2,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2010 221 complaints
- 2011 154 complaints
- 2012 292 complaints
- 2013 195 complaints
- 2014 444 complaints
- 2015 260 complaints
- 2016 136 complaints
- 2017 305 complaints
- 2018 136 complaints
- 2019 149 complaints
- 2020 78 complaints
- 2021 69 complaints
- 2022 28 complaints
- 2023 65 complaints
- 2024 26 complaints
Recalls
23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023
Park outsideSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic…
18V363000 · Jun 1, 2018
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt…
16V070000 · Feb 5, 2016
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Forte vehicles manufactured August 27, 2010, to November 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly manufactured, resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
Complaints
154 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 28, fire flag on 13, injury field 35, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| FORTE KOUP | 2 | 8 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE18003 | Air bags may be disabled during crash · AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR… | Mar 16, 2018 | Aug 30, 2019 |
| DP22003 | Loss of Motive Power · ENGINE | Sep 12, 2022 | Dec 12, 2023 |
| AQ23002 | Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | Nov 17, 2023 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 · possibility 0.103 | NHTSA photo |
| Koup 2 DR FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| SW FWD | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 · possibility 0.103 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 34 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Forte · 2L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 35 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Forte Eco · 2L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 35 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Forte Koup · 2L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 34 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Forte Koup · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 32 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Forte Koup · 2.4L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Forte Koup · 2.4L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Forte · 2.4L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Forte · 2.4L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 31 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2011 Kia Forte at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.