Second generation (YD)
2017 Kia Forte
The most reported problem on the 2017 Kia Forte is stalling, with 67 complaints, usually around 84,000 miles.
- 302owner complaints
- 3recalls
- 23involved a crash
- 50,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 21, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Forte doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2017 model year.
Is the 2017 Kia Forte reliable?
The 2017 Kia Forte has 302 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 1.7 times the median of 178 for 2017 sedans on this site. Of the 11 Forte model years since 2014, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2016 and 2018
- The 2017 stands out from the model years on either side. It draws 30 complaints for each year on the road, while the 2016 draws 12 and the 2018 15.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Stalling has 67 complaints and engine failure has 57, out of 302 in all. A quarter of the 42 owners who gave a mileage for stalling saw it by about 50,000 miles, and half by about 84,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 32 of the 302 complaints (11%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 23 reports mention a crash, 9 mention a fire and 21 people were hurt. The reports record 4 deaths. The most crash reports, 13 of 23, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- stalling, engine failure and misfire all have recalls on the same system, and the same campaigns cover them: 21V-260. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 43, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 10 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine stalls or loses power while driving, 67 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
302 complaints is about the median for a 2017 model on this site and 1.7 times the median 2017 sedan. Among the 6 Forte model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2017 Kia Forte
Kia filed 140 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2017 Kia Forte. 23 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. 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.
Check engine light or misfire 4 bulletins · 37 complaints
ADAPTIVE VALUES RESET FOR DTC P0016 This bulletin provides the procedure to reset adaptive values on some 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm) 2.0L MPI vehicles, produced from May 15, 2016 through June 22, 2018, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp illumination with DTC P0016 due to a stuck ...
TSB - SERVICE ACTION: ELECTRIC THERMOSTAT REPLACEMENT (SA308) This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the electric thermostat on 2017MY Forte (YDm) 2.0L MPI vehicles, produced from May 23, 2016 through March 15, 2017, which may exhibit a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) ON with DTC P0128.
2 more on this problem
ADAPTIVE VALUES RESET FOR DTC P0016 This bulletin provides the procedure to reset adaptive values on some 2017MY Forte (YDm) 2.0L MPI vehicles, produced from May 15, 2016 through April 26, 2017, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp illumination with DTC P0016 due to a stuck intake ...
PITSTOP: DTC P0014 EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING OVER-ADVANCED OR SYSTEM PERFORMANCE WHEN ENCOUNTERING A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) ON IN THE DASH ON SOME 2017MY FORTE (YDM) WITH A 2.0L NU MPI ENGINE, CHECK FOR THE PRESENCE OF DTC P0014 EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING OVER-ADVANCED OR SYSTEM PERFORMANCE.
Headlights too dim or fail 2 bulletins · 28 complaints
INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly.
HALOGEN HEAD LAMP LOW BEAM BULB CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT This bulletin provides information regarding the procedure to repair the bulb connector on some 2010MY~ vehicles listed on the table below, which may exhibit a bulb connector concern. To correct this concern, replace the connector with a new and improved part.
Engine knocking or ticking 3 bulletins · 24 complaints
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2106Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published (PI2106) titled “Nu 2.0L GDI - Knock Sensor Detection System ECU Logic Improvement”.
SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2106Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published (PI2106) titled ¢Nu 2.0L GDI - Knock Sensor Detection System ECU Logic Improvement¢.
1 more on this problem
NU 2.0L GDI KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM (KSDS) ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI2106) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS), in order to protect the engine from ...
Burns oil or oil level rises 3 bulletins · 14 complaints
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the table on pages 9 and 10 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2021MY vehicles (refer to the tables on pages 8-9 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
1 more on this problem
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2019MY vehicles (refer to table below for applicable model and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
Engine misfire 5 bulletins · 12 complaints
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 AND/OR P219C00, P219D00, P219E00, P219F00 - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) on some 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm) vehicles, produced from May ...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSBENG208_R1: ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 AND/OR P219C00, P219D00, P219E00, P219F00 This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) on some 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm) vehicles, produced from May 15, 2016 through July 27, 2018, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ON with DTC P0300, ...
3 more on this problem
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSBENG181_R1: SERVICE ACTION: IGNITION COIL OR COIL RFI SPRING REPLACEMENT FOR DTC P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, AND/OR P0304 (SA321) This bulletin provides the procedure to replace all four (4) ignition coils or replace all four (4) coil radio frequency interference (RFI) springs on some 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm) 2.0L MPI vehicles, produced from May 16, 2016 through September 7, 2017, which ...
ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 AND/OR P219C00, P219D00, P219E00, P219F00 This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) on some 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm) vehicles, produced from May 15, 2016 through July 27, 2018, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ON with DTC P0300, ...
SERVICE ACTION: ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC P030X (SA285) This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) on some 2017MY Forte (YDm) vehicles equipped with 2.0L MPI engine, produced from May 30, 2016 to February 22, 2017, which may experience a malfunction indicator ...
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 2 bulletins · 8 complaints
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: BRAKE TUBE/LINE REINSPECTION/REPLACEMENT & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL REAPPLICATION (SC238A) This bulletin provides information to inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake tube(s)/line(s) for leakage and apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components on certain 2014-2017MY Forte and Forte Koup (YD) vehicles produced from ...
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: BRAKE TUBE/LINE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC238) This bulletin provides information to inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake tube(s)/line(s) for leakage and also apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components on certain 2014-2017MY Forte and Forte Koup (YD) vehicles produced ...
Doors, latches or locks fail 1 bulletin · 8 complaints
TSB - This bulletin provides the procedure to perform a partial repair on the trunk latch base sub assembly on the certain Forte, Rio and Optima vehicles, which may exhibit a difficult-to-close/latch concern with the trunk lid.
Rod bearing failure 3 bulletins · 7 complaints
OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2106) This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2018 MY Kia Forte vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod ...
OWNER NOTIFICATION This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2018 MY Kia Forte vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter Nu GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod ...
1 more on this problem
DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage ...
Complaints filed by year
43 complaints came in 2025. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2017 Kia Forte
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.
All 3 recalls on the 2017 Kia Forte, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2017 Kia Forte?
Stalling, with 67 of the 302 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 84,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2017 Kia Forte problems start?
Of the 163 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 24,000 miles and half by about 50,000.
Is the 2017 Kia Forte better or worse than the 2016 and 2018?
Counted per year on the road, the 2017 has more complaints than both the 2016 and the 2018: 30 a year against 12 and 15.
How many 2017 Kia Forte complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
32 of them (11%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for stalling on the 2017 Kia Forte?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 21V-260. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.