How common are electrical problems on the 2017 Kia Forte?

NHTSA lists 76 Electrical System complaints for the 2017 Kia Forte, making up 25% of the 302 total complaints filed for that model year — the highest share among all Forte years in this data.

Is there a recall for the 2017 Kia Forte electrical system?

No. NHTSA data shows no related recalls linked to this problem area for the 2017 Kia Forte.

At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2017 Kia Forte is 36,000 miles.

Do the electrical complaints involve fires or crashes?

Yes. NHTSA records 3 fires and 4 crashes tied to Electrical System complaints on the 2017 Kia Forte, along with 2 injuries.

Which model year has the highest electrical complaint share for the Forte?

The 2017 model year has the highest share at 25%, compared to other Forte years which range from 13% to 21% in this data.

2017 Kia Forte Electrical System Problems

Electrical System complaints account for 76 of 302 total complaints on the 2017 Kia Forte, or 25% — the highest share of any Forte model year. NHTSA lists no related recalls for this issue. Reported problems include fires, headlight failures, and wiring faults, with a median failure mileage of 36,000 miles.

Electrical System complaints: 76; 25% of 302
Crashes reported: 4
Fires reported: 3
Injuries reported: 2
Median mileage: 36,000 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

Fires reportedly start near the fuse box or rear light wiring, sometimes while the car is parked or being driven, with smoke and flames spreading into the interior.
Headlights fail or point in the wrong direction, with owners describing them shutting off, aiming downward, or requiring high beams to see at night.
Windshield wipers stop working without warning, with dealers attributing it to a blown fuse that recurs after replacement.
Steering wheel volume and mute buttons operate in reverse of their labeled function.
Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems reportedly fail to activate in situations where they should, and dealers cannot verify system function during testing.
A false 'engine overheated' warning appeared on the display after short drives, which one dealer attributed to an electrical glitch.

When 2017 Kia Forte electrical complaints were filed

First complaint May 15, 2017, latest Jun 18, 2026.

76 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q2 to 2026 Q2; peak 2019 Q3 (6).

Electrical System recalls for the 2017 Kia Forte

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by Forte model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201031 (14%)
201121 (14%)
201247 (16%)
201330 (15%)
201472 (16%)
201537 (14%)
201628 (21%)
201776 (25%)
201822 (16%)
201931 (21%)
202012 (16%)
20219 (13%)
20224 (15%)
202312 (19%)
20246 (24%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems on the 2017 Kia Forte?: NHTSA lists 76 Electrical System complaints for the 2017 Kia Forte, making up 25% of the 302 total complaints filed for that model year — the highest share among all Forte years in this data.
Is there a recall for the 2017 Kia Forte electrical system?: No. NHTSA data shows no related recalls linked to this problem area for the 2017 Kia Forte.
At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2017 Kia Forte is 36,000 miles.
Do the electrical complaints involve fires or crashes?: Yes. NHTSA records 3 fires and 4 crashes tied to Electrical System complaints on the 2017 Kia Forte, along with 2 injuries.
Which model year has the highest electrical complaint share for the Forte?: The 2017 model year has the highest share at 25%, compared to other Forte years which range from 13% to 21% in this data.