2011 Kia Forte Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 Kia Forte has a complaint index of 80, the 4th worst among 16 model years, and is rated Avoid relative to other Forte years. NHTSA lists 153 complaints, 3 recalls, 28 crashes, and 12 fires, with engine problems the top complaint area at 37% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #4 of 16 Forte years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 153
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 28
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 12
- Injuries
- 35
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 25 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 35 / 1
Top 2011 Kia Forte problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration or surging while braking or shifting into park, leading to crashes into curbs, trees, or buildings.
- Several drivers report the vehicle lurching or hesitating at various speeds before a crash.
- Multiple owners say frontal or side airbags failed to deploy in moderate-speed collisions, resulting in serious injuries.
- One owner reported brakes failing to respond while reversing, causing a crash into a light post and a building.
- An electrical system failure reportedly disabled the vehicle and caused a fire with no warning lights beforehand.
- A rear-end collision reportedly caused the driver's headrest and a metal support bar to separate on impact.
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?
- Compared to other Forte model years, the 2011 ranks poorly. Its complaint index is 80, the 4th worst of 16 model years tracked, and NHTSA data give it an Avoid verdict relative to other Forte years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Kia Forte?
- Engine complaints are the largest category, making up 37% of all complaints (57 of 153), with a median failure mileage of 76,353 miles overall for the model year.
- Does the 2011 Kia Forte have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Forte, covering brakes, airbags, and a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly installed.
- Are airbags a known issue on the 2011 Kia Forte?
- Yes, airbags account for 23% of complaints (35 of 153) and are tied to 20 crashes, and a 2018 recall addressed an airbag control unit that could short circuit.
- Which Kia Forte years are worse than 2011?
- The 2012 Forte (complaint index 87) and 2014 Forte (complaint index 100) rank worse than the 2011 model, both also rated Avoid.