2014 Kia Forte · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 101owner reports
- 94,000median miles
- $7,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
215 of the 418 complaints on this car are about the engine. 101 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2014 Forte.
Narrower sheets: Engine knocking or ticking (55 reports)
Tick what matches of 101 reports
Engine failure on other Forte years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2018, 2019.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (92 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
All 3 recalls on the 2014 Kia Forte, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Forte
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
What owners paid
12 of the 101 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $4,300 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 70,000 and 124,000 miles, from the 66 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2014 Kia Forte that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (PI2002A, PI2002B and SC200**1) titled “Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement”.
ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (PI2002A, PI2002B and SC200**1) titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement".
What owners wrote
“Car died in reverse. Check engine light came on and turned off. Took to mechanic replaced spark plugs. Then 6 days later had another misfire replaced coils. At that a clicking noise was heard. Brought to kia dealership who said knocking come from engine but did not say what. Upon parking car completely died in drive. Engine failed.”
Filed Dec 18, 2023
“Warning lights starting flashing and vehicle went into "limp mode". Before I could completely pull over the engine started smoking. Taken to the dealer and while they were able to confirm the rod bearing was the failure, it also caused other failures so Kia wouldnt cover it under the warranty. I've did arbitration but still no help.”
Filed Mar 11, 2023
“i bought my 2014 kia forte last 5months ago. my car started to make a weird noise. i brought my car to dealership and they said it needs a new engine. i still owe around $8000+ with this car. i am student and i dont how am i going able to get money for a new engine.”
Filed Mar 3, 2022
“Vehicle has 103k miles. Ticking noise evident from engine., which reacts to increase in RPM. Took to local Kia dealer for diagnosis - recommended a new engine. Cost of $6-7000 to replace the engine. This vehicle cost was just arouns $7000 last year when purchasded.”
Filed Jan 3, 2022 · 103,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 101 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Airbag warning light or recall 60 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 55 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 45 reports
- Vehicle fire 30 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 28 reports
- Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn 27 reports