KIA Forte recalls

• Engine#2025083February 18, 2025

  25,279 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the piston oil rings may not have been manufactured properly and could damage the cylinder walls. As a result, the engine could make abnormal noises, and a warning light may turn on. If you continue to drive the vehicle with these symptoms, the engine could fail. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 2.0L MPI engine. Safety Risk: An engine failure could cause a sudden loss of power to the wheels and/or increase the risk of a vehicle fire. Both issues could increase the risk of a crash or injury. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine. The dealer will also install a software that will monitor the engine and warn you if it detects a problem. If you see this warning, you should contact a dealership to arrange replacement of the engine.

• Brakes#2024163March 12, 2024

  42,571 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the inspection completed by a Kia dealer during service campaign SC044 (Transport Canada recall number 2022-222) may not have been done correctly. As a result, a second inspection is required. Over time, the brake lines under the vehicle could corrode. If this happens, a brake line could fail and leak. A brake fluid leak can result in reduced braking. Note: This service campaign replaces service campaign SC044 (Transport Canada recall number 2022-222). Vehicles that had brake lines replaced under that service campaign don't require this inspection. Safety Risk: Reduced braking can cause extended stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the brake lines. The dealer will apply an anti-corrosion treatment and replace the brake lines, if required.

• Brakes#2023529September 26, 2023

  276,225 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the brake hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) could short circuit. Safety Risk: A short circuit could create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the fuse(s) for the HECU. Kia recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been completed.

• Suspension#2023525September 22, 2023

  113 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the right-front lower control arm could partially separate from the crossmember due to an improper weld. If this happens while driving, there could be a sudden loss of vehicle control. Safety Risk: A loss of vehicle control could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the right-front lower control arm.

• Steering#2022698December 8, 2022

  1,182 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the left-front steering knuckle could crack and/or break. A steering knuckle that breaks while driving could cause a sudden loss of vehicle control. Safety Risk: A loss of vehicle control could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the left-front steering knuckle. If the batch code stamped on the knuckle is within the affected range, it will be replaced.

• Steering#2022238May 6, 2022

  6 units affected

  Issue: On a small number of vehicles, the bolt connecting the lower steering column universal joint may not have been properly tightened. If the bolt loosens, you could lose steering control. Safety Risk: A loss of steering control could create a risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to bring your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and tighten the lower steering column universal joint bolt, as necessary.

• Brakes#2022222May 2, 2022

  42,571 units affected

  Issue: Over time, the brake lines under the vehicle could corrode. If this happens, a brake line could fail and leak. A brake fluid leak can result in reduced braking. Safety Risk: Reduced braking can cause extended stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the brake lines. The dealer will apply an anti-corrosion treatment and replace the brake lines, if required.

• Airbag#2022023January 27, 2022

  58,054 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, a defect in the airbag control unit could cause the airbag warning light to turn on. If this happens, the airbag system may not work properly, and the airbags may not inflate in a crash. Safety Risk: An airbag system that does not work properly could create an increased risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the airbag control unit software. If the airbag warning light is on because of diagnostic trouble code B1620, the dealer will replace the airbag control unit.

• Structure#2021504August 10, 2021

  32,274 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, a part in the trunk release latch could fail. If this happens, the emergency trunk release located inside the trunk compartment may not work properly. This could prevent a person that is trapped inside the trunk from opening it. Safety Risk: If a person is closed inside the trunk compartment, they may not be able to get out. This could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the trunk latch assembly.

• Engine#2021225April 14, 2021

  19,634 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine's piston oil rings may be defective. This can cause engine wear that can lead to increased oil consumption. Eventually, this can create abnormal engine noise and the oil pressure warning light may turn on. If you continue to drive the vehicle with these symptoms, the engine could fail. Note: This only affects vehicles equipped with a 2.0 L Nu MPI engine. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. An engine failure could also create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the engine. The engine will be replaced, if necessary. The dealer will also install a Piston-ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software update, to alert the driver of potential damage before an engine failure occurs.

• Engine#2021224April 14, 2021

  443 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, small metal particles that are not captured by the oil filter can build up in the oil pump. If this happens, the engine oil pressure may be reduced. This can cause engine wear and result in abnormal engine noise. The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and/or oil pressure warning light may also turn on. If you continue to drive the vehicle with these symptoms, the engine could fail. An engine failure can cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: This only affects vehicles equipped with a 2.0 L Nu MPI engine. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the oil pan with a new one that has two magnets to capture small metal particles.

• Engine#2021040February 1, 2021

  48,787 units affected

  Issue: Kia Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure could cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: This only affects vehicles equipped with a 2.4 L MPI engine. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of an accident. An engine failure could also create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module. Note: Kia recommends that you should always follow the correct vehicle maintenance schedule, which is printed in the Owner's Manual. If you experience unusual engine noise, reduced power, or a check engine/oil warning light, Kia advises you to immediately visit a Kia dealership to have your vehicle diagnosed.

• Engine#2021039February 1, 2021

  30,938 units affected

  Issue: Kia Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure could cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: This only affects vehicles equipped with a 2.0 L Nu GDI engine. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of an accident. An engine failure could also create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module. Note: Kia recommends that you should always follow the correct vehicle maintenance schedule, which is printed in the Owner's Manual. If you experience unusual engine noise, reduced power, or a check engine/oil warning light, Kia advises you to immediately visit a Kia dealership to have your vehicle diagnosed.

• Engine#2020597December 4, 2020

  39,658 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.0 L NU GDI or 2.4 L Theta II MPI engine, an engine compartment fire could occur while driving. Kia is conducting this recall as a preventative measure to prevent fire risk due to potential fuel leaks, oil leaks and/or engine damage. In some situations, you may notice any of the following symptoms: there could be an abnormal knocking noise from the engine; the check engine light and/or the oil pressure warning light could turn on; you may smell fuel, burning or smoke; or you may notice oil leaks. If you continue to drive the vehicle with these symptoms, the engine could fail and/or a fire could occur. An engine failure can cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: For the Optima model, only the Optima Hybrid is affected by this recall. Safety Risk: An engine compartment fire can create a risk of injury. A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Action: Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer for an inspection of the engine and engine compartment. The dealer will inspect for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, if necessary. Kia will also perform a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update free of charge, once it is available for your vehicle. This update will detect and prevent engine damage from worn connecting rod bearings.

• Powertrain#2020369August 12, 2020

  359 units affected

  Issue: On certain vehicles, the left-front axle shaft may not have been heat treated, and could break. If this happens, there would be a loss of power to the wheels. Also, if this happens and the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could roll away. Safety Risk: A loss of power to the wheels or a vehicle rollaway could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the left front axle shaft for a heat treatment code. If the heat treatment code is missing, the driveshaft will be replaced.

• Lights And Instruments#2018610November 2, 2018

  370 units affected

  Certain vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. The LED headlamps may have been produced with improper low-beam lamp aiming, which is contrary to the requirements of the standard. This could reduce illumination of the roadway, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the headlamps and replace them as necessary.

• Airbag#2018301June 8, 2018

  65,548 units affected

  On certain gasoline and hybrid engine vehicles, the circuits within the airbag control unit may become damaged. This could cause the airbags and seat belt pretensioners to not deploy in certain collisions where deployment is warranted, which could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Correction: Dealers will install a wire harness kit between the ACU connector and vehicle harness connector as necessary. Note: This recall does not affect the 2013 model year Optima Hybrid.

• Brakes#2017626December 13, 2017

  22,205 units affected

  On certain vehicles, the brake pedal stopper pad material could deteriorate over time and allow the stop lamp switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This could result in the stop lamps illuminating continuously, which would result in following road users being unaware of the driver's intentions. Additionally, it could result in activation of the engine management system’s brake pedal override feature, the illumination of the traction control warning lamp, and/or the ability to move the shift lever without depressing the brake pedal, which could result in unintended vehicle movement. These conditions could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad.

• Seats And Restraints#2016221May 12, 2016

  390 units affected

  On certain vehicles, the screws holding the seatbelt retractor’s retaining plate may not have been properly tightened. In the event of a crash, this could cause the retaining plate to break and come in contact with the occupants of the vehicle, which would increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and replace the seatbelt assembly as necessary.

• Powertrain#2016061February 8, 2016

  1,402 units affected

  On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the transmission’s fluid cooler hose may have been improperly manufactured. This could result in transmission fluid leaking from the hose, and cause abnormal transmission shifts and/or illumination of the instrument cluster malfunction indicator lamp. If enough fluid is lost, the loss of hydraulic pressure to the transaxle could cause a loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the cooler hose with the revised hose.

• Electrical#2015015January 16, 2015

  15,901 units affected

  On certain vehicles, the cooling fan resistor could be defective.  If this occurs; the resistor could overheat and melt creating a potential risk of fire that could cause injury and/or property damage.  Correction: Dealers will replace the cooling fan resistor and multi-fuse unit.

• Electrical#2013324September 25, 2013

  39,054 units affected

  On certain vehicles, the stop lamp switch may fail and cause intermittent operation of the brake lights. Failure of the brake lights to illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the switch. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2013-098.

Canadian data updated August 24, 2026