2015 Kia Forte · symptom sheet
Engine knocking or ticking
- 43owner reports
- 85,400median miles
- $173median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jul 6, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
43 of the 73 reports of engine failure on the 2015 Forte describe engine knock.
Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (73 reports)
Tick what matches of 43 reports
Engine knock 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: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the knock sensor (6 reports), the engine (4 reports) and the rod bearing (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2015 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.
The recall on the 2015 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
5 of the 43 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $134 to $1,700.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 65,000 and 110,000 miles, from the 29 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2015 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
“My engine has started knocking and two pistons are not firing correctly. This is a common issue and has possible safety issues connected with it due to having an engine fail while driving.”
Filed May 16, 2025
“engine seized at the light. i was stuck in the middle of a 6 lane road located in greenville midnight. engine can cause a fire and burn up while iâm inside. the problem was confirmed by a test machine by the mechanic âKnock Sensor 1 Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1)â no warning lights at all! ⦠the traffic light was red and once it turned green i let off the brake and then it shut off”
Filed Mar 24, 2024
“Engine is making a knocking noise, independent mechanic as well as Kia dealer inspected and said engine is about to fail, which could leave driver stranded or impede traffic. No warning lights are on, vehicle has been regularly maintained.”
Filed Aug 25, 2022
“experienced engine knocking noise when driving on freeways, and it got progressively louder as time went on. brought the issue to the local Kia dealership and it was resolved at the time, but wanted to report the incident so NHTSA can document this. thanks.”
Filed Jul 17, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 43 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 stalls or loses power while driving 53 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 34 reports