2018 Kia Forte — Known Issues & Recalls

Your engine suddenly lost power while driving with no warning, even though you had the gas pedal fully pressed. When checked, there was no oil in the engine, but neither the low oil warning light nor check engine light had alerted you beforehand. After adding oil and changing it, your engine shook violently on startup and the check engine light came on. A Kia dealership determined your timing chain had failed. The repair will likely involve replacing the timing chain and possibly other engine components that may have been damaged from running without oil.

Your engine is experiencing excessive blow-by (combustion gases leaking past the piston rings), which your mechanic says requires a complete engine replacement at 84,400 miles. No warning lights appeared before the problem was noticed during an oil change. The repair will likely involve removing and replacing the entire engine assembly.

Your engine suddenly lost all power while you were merging onto a highway at 50 mph with no warning lights beforehand, forcing you to coast to the shoulder while traffic continued behind you. The check engine light only appeared after the failure, and the engine would not restart. Your Kia dealer determined the engine needs to be replaced.

Your engine was burning oil without you knowing it. Even after oil changes at 101k and 106k miles, the engine ran completely out of oil, which triggered your check engine light. A diagnostic scan revealed a crankshaft position error code (P0017), and your mechanic says the engine sustained damage from running without oil and now requires replacement.

About a week after getting an oil change, your car suddenly slowed down while driving and made a clinking noise from the engine. You stopped driving it immediately due to the noise, and when the dealership inspected it, they found complete engine failure requiring over $9,000 in repairs. You're concerned because similar Kia vehicles have been recalled for this issue, and you'd like your vehicle investigated as well.

Your engine has experienced low oil pressure that caused it to stall multiple times while driving. The oil pressure warning light came on when the stalling occurred, and two mechanics have confirmed the issue. This problem may require engine repair or replacement depending on the extent of the damage.

Your vehicle is consuming excessive amounts of oil and won't start, with a warning message indicating a problem with the oil pump. This is a serious issue since the oil pump is critical for engine lubrication and proper operation. You'll need to have the oil pump inspected and likely replaced to resolve both the oil consumption and starting problem.

Your engine has the same defective issue that has been recalled as a safety concern in other vehicles. You should contact your Kia dealer to check if your vehicle is affected by any engine-related recalls and get it inspected or repaired.

Your car caught fire under the engine compartment while you were driving on the freeway. Before the fire started, your car struggled to maintain speed and lost acceleration, and your check engine light came on. A passing vehicle alerted you to flames under your car, and you safely pulled over and called emergency services. The manufacturer has instructed you to take the car to a dealership for inspection, though they estimate a 2-week wait.

Your engine may have issues with timing and the variable valve timing (VVT) sensor, which could also affect oil pressure readings. This could cause rough running, check engine light illumination, or difficulty starting. The fix will likely involve diagnosing the VVT sensor and oil pressure system, which may require sensor replacement or oil system servicing.

After taking your car to a Kia dealership for an oil change and a recall repair, both of your key fobs stopped working. You're unable to lock or unlock your car, and the dealership has refused to fix the problem. You're concerned that your car's anti-theft system may not be functioning properly since the key fobs are completely unresponsive.

Your car's Pearl White hood paint is chipping and peeling in multiple spots, with the damage gradually spreading in a pattern that suggests the paint layers are separating from each other. You've noticed other Kia owners reporting similar issues with this paint color, but your local dealer dismissed it as rock damage and offered no solution. Fixing this will likely require the hood to be repainted or have the affected paint layers stripped and reapplied.

Your engine lost power while driving without warning lights appearing. The dealer found the oil level was dangerously low, and after an oil change, the problem returned with knocking sounds coming from the engine. Eventually, the engine was found to have failed completely and required replacement. This happened at approximately 104,000 miles despite multiple dealer visits.

Your car has shut off while you're driving it, which is a serious safety concern. The dealership has determined the engine is failing due to an oil pressure problem and needs to be completely replaced — this isn't covered under warranty. This is the second engine replacement your car has needed since you bought it new in 2018. The fix will require installing a new engine and diagnosing the underlying oil pressure system issue.

Your engine shut off unexpectedly while driving on a busy highway, creating a dangerous situation. You also reported a defective airbag, which is a safety concern. Even though you kept up with maintenance, the engine failure happened relatively quickly after purchasing the vehicle in 2021.

Your engine shut down while driving in traffic, then restarted but now runs roughly with hesitation, strange noises, and the check engine light on. This stalling and rough running cycle continued until you reached a repair shop. This problem appears to be affecting other Kia owners with similar engines. The repair will likely involve diagnosing the engine with a scanner to read the check engine code and addressing the underlying cause, which could range from a fuel system issue to an ignition component.

Your engine runs rough with shaking and rumbling while driving, and stalls at stops and on the highway. You notice a strong gas smell inside the car. Even after a mechanic replaced the oil, sensors, spark plugs, and cylinders, the same problems returned immediately. The repair will likely require diagnostic testing to identify the root cause, followed by fixing or replacing the faulty component causing the stalling and rough running.

Your dashboard warning lights (ABS, parking brake, tire pressure, and ESC) flicker on and off, your speedometer stops working, and your climate control and temperature display act up. This appears to be an electrical or sensor problem affecting multiple systems at once. The issue may require diagnostic testing to identify a faulty sensor, wiring problem, or electrical control module that needs replacement or repair.

Your right brake light is collecting water inside the housing, causing the bulb to burn out repeatedly. You'll need to keep replacing the brake light bulb because moisture keeps accumulating in that area. The fix will likely involve replacing the brake light assembly or sealing any gaps that are allowing water to enter.

Your steering wheel makes a clicking noise when you turn in either direction, whether the car is parked or moving. You also hear rattling from the steering area when driving over speed bumps. The owner reports this seems to be a common issue with this model year. Fixing this will likely involve inspecting the steering column components and replacing any worn or loose parts.