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Check by VIN to confirm the
exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (3)
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 Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk and remedy
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
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 pretensioners from deploying.
Risk and remedy
Risk: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission cooler hose, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC129.
Canadian recalls (4)
Show 4 Canadian recalls
Brakes
2023-09-26 · campaign 2023-529
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the brake hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) could short circuit.
Safety Risk:
A short circuit could create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.
Corrective Actions:
Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the fuse(s) for the HECU. Kia recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been completed.
Engine
2021-02-01 · campaign 2021-040
Issue:
Kia Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure could cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart.
Note: This only affects vehicles equipped with a 2.4 L MPI engine.
Safety Risk:
A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of an accident. An engine failure could also create the risk of a fire.
Corrective Actions:
Kia will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module.
Note: Kia recommends that you should always follow the correct vehicle maintenance schedule, which is printed in the Owner's Manual. If you experience unusual engine noise, reduced power, or a check engine/oil warning light, Kia advises you to immediately visit a Kia dealership to have your vehicle diagnosed.
Airbag
2018-06-08 · campaign 2018-301
On certain gasoline and hybrid engine vehicles, the circuits within the airbag control unit may become damaged. This could cause the airbags and seat belt pretensioners to not deploy in certain collisions where deployment is warranted, which could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Correction: Dealers will install a wire harness kit between the ACU connector and vehicle harness connector as necessary. Note: This recall does not affect the 2013 model year Optima Hybrid.
Powertrain
2016-02-08 · campaign 2016-061
On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the transmission’s fluid cooler hose may have been improperly manufactured. This could result in transmission fluid leaking from the hose, and cause abnormal transmission shifts and/or illumination of the instrument cluster malfunction indicator lamp. If enough fluid is lost, the loss of hydraulic pressure to the transaxle could cause a loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the cooler hose with the revised hose.
Owner complaints (154)
Owners filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Forte (28 crashes, 13 fires, 35 injuries, 1 deaths reported). Among 16 model years of this model, it ranks #7 for the most complaints (median 150).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Engine | 45 | |
| Air bags | 35 | |
| Power train | 18 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 18 | |
| Electrical system | 16 | |
| Unknown or other | 13 | |
| Service brakes | 11 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Kia Forte.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2011 Kia Forte SW FWD | 4★ | 4★ | 4★ | 4★ |
| 2011 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | 4★ | 4★ | 4★ | 4★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2011 Kia Forte version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Forte 2.0 L Manual 6-spd | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Forte 2.0 L Automatic 6-spd | 25 | 35 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Forte 2.4 L Automatic 6-spd | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Forte 2.4 L Manual 6-spd | 22 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Forte Eco 2.0 L Automatic 6-spd | 27 | 35 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Forte Koup 2.0 L Automatic 6-spd | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Forte Koup 2.0 L Manual 6-spd | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Forte Koup 2.4 L Automatic 6-spd | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Forte Koup 2.4 L Manual 6-spd | 22 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.