2011 Kia Forte Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
79/100
#4 most-complained of 15 Forte years
The 2011 Kia Forte has a complaint index of 79 and ranks 4th worst among 15 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Owners reported 153 complaints led by engine issues (57 complaints, 37% share) and airbags (35 complaints, 23% share), with 3 recalls including one for a transmission cooler hose.
- Complaints
- 153
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 28 / 12
- Injuries / deaths
- 35 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 25 city / 34 hwy
Top 2011 Kia Forte problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine57 (37%)
- Airbags35 (23%)
- Brakes32 (21%)
- Electrical System21 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (12%)
- Other14 (9%)
- Structure & Body10 (7%)
- Seat Belts6 (4%)
- Steering5 (3%)
- Fuel System4 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration or surging while shifting into park or reversing, sometimes leading to a crash into a curb, tree, or building.
- Some describe the engine or drivetrain lurching and hesitating at various speeds before a loss of control.
- Multiple owners report airbags failing to deploy during head-on or rear-end collisions, including one crash at 20 mph and another at 45 mph.
- One owner reported an electrical system failure that caused the engine to catch fire, with no warning lights before the incident.
- A rear-end collision at highway speed caused the driver's side head rest and metal bar to separate from the seat structure.
2011 Kia Forte recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
Service 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: 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.
- NHTSA 18V363000Jun 1, 2018Airbags507,587 vehicles
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: 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.
- NHTSA 16V070000Feb 5, 2016Transmission & Powertrain10,240 vehicles
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: 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.
2011 Kia Forte fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Forte years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Kia Forte reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 Forte a complaint index of 79 and ranks it 4th worst out of 15 model years, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Forte years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Kia Forte?
- Engine complaints lead with 57 reports (37% of the total), followed by airbags with 35 complaints (23%) and brakes with 32 complaints (21%), per NHTSA data.
- Does the 2011 Kia Forte have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Forte: one for brakes (park-outside advisory), one for airbags involving the air bag control unit, and one for a transmission fluid cooler hose.
- How does the 2011 Forte compare to other years?
- The 2011 Forte's complaint index of 79 is worse than 2010 (50), 2013 (57), and 2016 (36), but better than 2012 (86) and 2014 (100), which had the most complaints.
- What mileage do 2011 Kia Forte problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 76,353 miles overall, with engine complaints median at 90,850 miles and transmission complaints median at 56,220 miles.