What NHTSA's records show for the 2017 Kia Forte: 305 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns. Owners report problems most often with the Engine (145), Electrical System (47), Exterior Lighting (44). 23 complaints mention a crash and 10 a fire. Own one or shopping for one? Share what broke, what it cost to fix, and what you'd check before buying.
2017 Kia Forte owner discussion: problems, repairs and buying advice
Posted by CleanVins Research on
What NHTSA's records show for the 2017 Kia Forte: 305 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns. Owners report problems most often with the Engine (145), Electrical System (47), Exterior Lighting (44). 23 complaints mention a crash and 10 a fire. Own one or shopping for one? Share what broke, what it cost to fix, and what you'd check before buying.
2017 Kia Forte recalls and complaints at a glance
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns and 305 owner complaints for the 2017 Kia Forte. The most-reported problem areas are Engine (145), Electrical System (47), Exterior Lighting (44). The most recent recall (NHTSA #22V031000, January 2022) covers the Air Bags. Recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer. Recalls and complaints describe the model year, not a specific car — check the VIN for open recalls free, and for title, salvage and odometer history with a $9.99 report (Carfax charges $49.99).
Recall campaigns
3
Owner complaints
305
Complaints mentioning a crash
23
Complaints mentioning a fire
10
Most-reported problem areas
Component
Complaints
Engine
145
Electrical System
47
Exterior Lighting
44
Fuel/Propulsion System
29
Air Bags
18
Vehicle Speed Control
17
Recall campaigns
NHTSA #22V031000 — Air Bags (January 2022): Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit.…
NHTSA #21V622000 — Latches/Locks/Linkages (August 2021): Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with…
NHTSA #21V260000 — Engine and Engine Cooling (April 2021): Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
Source: NHTSA recalls and complaints databases, retrieved 2026-11-07.
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