2011-2021 Kia Forte engine problems: what's listed and what to do

Last reviewed 2026-10-09 · Data: NHTSA, official settlement and manufacturer documents · Independent site, not affiliated with Hyundai, Kia or NHTSA

Short answer

Two Forte engines are on Kia's Engine II settlement list: the 2.4L Theta II MPI in 2010-2013 Forte and Forte Koup, and the 2.0L Nu GDI in 2014-2018 Forte and 2014-2016 Forte Koup. That means 15 years / 150,000 miles for connecting-rod bearing damage, with KSDS first. 2012-2015 Fortes are also in fire recall 20V-750. For theft, 2014-2021 Fortes can get Kia's software, while some 2011-2015 cars get an ignition cylinder protector.

Check your VIN to see recalls and which programs list your exact engine.

Which engines and years are involved

2010-2013 Forte / Forte Koup, 2.4L Theta II MPI: Engine II settlement. Other engines of those years aren't on the list.
2014-2018 Forte and 2014-2016 Forte Koup, 2.0L Nu GDI: Engine II settlement.
2014-2018, 1.8L and 2.0L MPI: not on the list. Certain 2017-2018 Fortes with the 2.0L Nu MPI have oil-pump recall 21V-260.
1.6L turbo, and every 2019-2021 Forte: not on the list.

Forte trims mixed GDI and MPI engines of the same size, so check the engine, not just the year. Our checker shows what NHTSA's decoder reports for your VIN.

What the settlement, recalls and anti-theft programs say

KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) is free dealer software that listens through the knock sensor for the vibration pattern of a worn connecting-rod bearing. If it hears it, it turns on the check-engine light and limits engine power so the car can be driven to a dealer instead of the engine failing on the road. Kia's dealer letter names the trouble code P1326 for this condition.

Kia Engine II settlement (In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation II, C.D. Cal., final approval April 2024): extends the powertrain warranty to 15 years or 150,000 miles from original retail delivery, whichever comes first, for short-block and long-block damage caused by connecting-rod bearing failure, for original and later private owners. The KSDS update has to be done at a Kia dealer first.
Deadlines: cash claims (past repairs, towing, rental, fire losses) closed July 8, 2024. The extended warranty continues and needs no claim form. Kia's settlement site sometimes blocks automated visitors, so if it won't load, ask a Kia dealer to look up your VIN.
Recall 20V-750 (2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, among others): dealers inspect for fuel and oil leaks, test the engine, repair or replace as needed, and update KSDS.
Anti-theft software: Kia's theft settlement notice lists Forte 2014-2021 for the software. It says some 2011-2015 Fortes can't take it; those get the CS2311 ignition cylinder protector.
Multistate settlement (announced December 16, 2025): free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector at a Kia dealer, plus theft claims of up to $4,500 (total loss), $2,250 (partial loss) or $375 (attempt) for qualifying thefts from April 29, 2025 until the protector is installed or March 31, 2027, while the limited fund lasts. The car must have had the anti-theft software installed, or an appointment booked, when the theft happened.
Earlier consumer class settlement: its claim deadline was April 28, 2025 and has passed.
The multistate site lists Forte 2014-2021.

Engine-related recalls

23V-652 is an ABS control unit recall (2010-2013 Forte and Koup, among many Kia models). NHTSA's remedy text says to park outside and away from structures until the fuse is replaced.

20V-750 · ENGINE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
21V-260 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
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.
23V-652 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Recall text quoted from NHTSA. Whether a recall is still open on a specific car can only be checked by VIN at NHTSA or the manufacturer.

What owners report to NHTSA

2,090 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011-2021 Forte. 1,014 of them name an engine component.

Model year	All complaints	Engine complaints	Engine + fire	Typical mileage mentioned (engine)
2011	161	51 (32%)	6	87,500 (n=16)
2012	292	166 (57%)	17	98,000 (n=47)
2013	195	110 (56%)	10	84,330 (n=24)
2014	444	220 (50%)	23	88,783 (n=46)
2015	260	162 (62%)	16	91,000 (n=36)
2016	4	2 (50%)	0	too few (n=0)
2017	305	158 (52%)	4	78,000 (n=38)
2018	136	61 (45%)	1	95,000 (n=12)
2019	147	40 (27%)	2	88,500 (n=12)
2020	77	22 (29%)	1	too few (n=3)
2021	69	22 (32%)	0	too few (n=8)

Source: NHTSA complaints API, pulled 2026-10-09. "Engine complaints" are complaints where the owner picked an ENGINE component (one complaint can list several components). Mileage is the median of mileages owners typed into their complaint text, shown only when at least 10 complaints mention one. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and counts reflect how many owners filed, not how many cars failed.

2012 through 2017 each have roughly half or more of complaints naming the engine. The 2016 row looks almost empty because NHTSA files most 2016 complaints under "Forte Koup" (138 of them) rather than "Forte", so don't read 2016 as a trouble-free year.

Warning signs to take seriously

Knocking that rises with RPM or a sudden loss of power.
Flashing check-engine light with limp mode after KSDS.
Oil pressure light on a 2017-2018 2.0L MPI (oil pump recall 21V-260).
Smoke, burning smell, or fuel smell from the engine bay.
Damage to the steering column cover or ignition: a possible theft attempt.

What to do, step by step

Check open recalls and campaigns at NHTSA and owners.kia.com.
Find out exactly which engine you have (size, and GDI or MPI).
If it's a listed engine, confirm KSDS is done. Both Engine II and recall 20V-750 install it.
For theft protection, run customercare.kiausa.com/SWLD, then ask about the zinc protector.
With symptoms, call a Kia service department with the VIN before paying for diagnosis.

Dealer insider note

For a Forte, start by finding the engine. The guide above says two are on Kia's Engine II list: the 2.4L Theta II MPI in 2010-2013 Forte and Forte Koup, and the 2.0L Nu GDI in 2014-2018 Forte and 2014-2016 Forte Koup. Other engines of those years are not. Ask the advisor to confirm from the VIN.

At the desk: bring the VIN and ask for the campaign and recall check by VIN. Ask whether KSDS is on file. 2012-2015 Fortes are also in fire recall 20V-750, so ask about that one by number. Ask for the repair order to show each campaign number.

Theft is the other topic. 2014-2021 Fortes can get Kia's anti-theft software, while some 2011-2015 cars get an ignition cylinder protector instead. If the steering column cover is broken or the ignition cylinder looks loose or punched, that is a sign of an attempt. Ask the dealer to document it, and file a police report.

First-time buyers of a used Forte should check the steering column and ignition for damage, and ask for: the KSDS record, recall history, proof of the software or protector, and maintenance records.

Until the VIN check is done, do not sign a release, a waiver or a customer-pay repair order. Get any estimate in writing, and ask whether fees are waived if the car is covered.

If the shop stalls or says no, call the manufacturer's customer-care line (number is in your owner's manual). Give the VIN and repair order, ask for a case number, and keep every receipt.

Questions

Is the 2016 Forte 2.0 in the Engine II settlement?

The 2014-2018 Forte with the 2.0L Nu GDI engine is listed. Fortes of those years with other engines aren't listed. Confirm your engine with the VIN.

Is the 2019-2021 Forte included?

No. Those years aren't on the Engine II list. They are on Kia's anti-theft software list if turn-key without an immobilizer.

My 2012 Forte can't get the software. What now?

Kia's notice says some 2011-2015 Fortes can't take it. Kia offers a free ignition cylinder protector (CS2311), and the multistate program adds a zinc-reinforced protector.