2015 Kia Forte Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 163 engine complaints for the 2015 Kia Forte, 63% of all 259 complaints filed for the year. A related recall (20V750000) covers engine compartment fires from fuel or oil leaks, and 16 of the sampled incidents involved fire.
- Engine complaints
- 163
- 63% of 259
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 16
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 86,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Engine bay fires reported while driving at highway speeds, with smoke or flames visible from under the hood before the driver could pull over.
- Sudden stalling or engine seizure accompanied by abnormal knocking or grinding noises, sometimes followed by a burning rubber smell or white smoke.
- Complete engine failure or knock leading to the engine 'blowing' with visible holes in the block, in some cases just after the factory warranty period ended.
- Owners tied to recall 20V750000 who reported a burning odor and contacted dealers under the campaign but stated the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
- Engine hesitation followed by loss of power on the highway, with no warning light illuminated before the failure.
When 2015 Kia Forte engine complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 27, 2015, latest Sep 10, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2015 Kia Forte
- NHTSA 20V750000Dec 2, 2020Engine294,756 vehicles
Engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Engine complaints by Forte model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are engine problems in the 2015 Kia Forte?
- NHTSA data shows 163 engine complaints out of 259 total complaints for the 2015 Forte, meaning engine issues make up 63% of all reported problems for this model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2015 Kia Forte engine?
- Yes. Recall campaign 20V750000 covers the 2015 Forte along with several other Kia models, addressing engine compartment fires linked to fuel or oil leaks.
- At what mileage do 2015 Kia Forte engine problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2015 Forte is 86,000 miles.
- Did the 2015 Kia Forte engine issues cause any injuries or fires?
- NHTSA data for this model year's engine complaints includes 16 fires, 4 crashes, and 1 injury.
- How does the 2015 Forte compare to other model years for engine complaints?
- The 2015 Forte's 63% share of complaints tied to the engine is the highest among the listed model years, ahead of 2012 (58%) and 2017 (54%).