2014 Kia Forte · symptom sheet
Engine rattles or ticks
- 28owner reports
- 104,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jan 3, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
215 of the 418 complaints on this car are about the engine. 28 of those describe engine rattle.
Tick what matches of 28 reports
Engine rattle on other Forte years
No other Forte model year has enough reports of engine rattle for a sheet of its own. See every Forte year.
What this problem usually is
Owners in this group hear something before anything breaks. Most describe a ticking or tapping at idle, a rattle that's worse on a cold start and fades as the engine warms, or a noise that comes and goes over weeks. Some report the check engine light following a while later. It's the early-warning end of the engine complaints, and the reports that end in a named part are useful to anyone hearing the same sound.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (8 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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 78,000 and 130,000 miles, from the 26 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Engine clicking noticed . Then light came on. Mechanic fixed. Engine light came on coil needed to be replaced a week later. Clicking got louder took to dealer said Engine wasn't getting enough oil that there was none on dipstick (took photo as proof it had oil). No other explanations no other solutions other than replacing Engine. Engine seized up un able to upload estimate bc of website issues”
Filed Jan 2, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 28 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
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 101 reports
- 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
- Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn 27 reports