Is the 2014 Kia Forte a bad year?
444 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 219, 10× a quiet Forte year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2014 Kia Forte were filed between 70k and 130k miles. You're at 96,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2014 Forte owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 96,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 219 (49%) | 70k–130k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 63 (14%) | 64k–105k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 57 (13%) | 40k–97k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 28 (6%) | 43k–116k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 25 (6%) | 38k–120k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 18 (4%) | 54k–98k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 64 (14%) | 35k–76k miles · mostly behind | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Exterior lighting | 22 (5%) | 49k–82k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 18 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 14 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 14 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 12 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 96,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 444 complaints: 32 mention a crash · 36 mention a fire · 23 report an injury · 40 say the car was towed.
24 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While driving my car on the highway at 60 miles per hour, my car shut off and all the light on the dash board went out and the car would not start.
When driving the car shuts off with no warning anywhere. I have to put oil in the car almost each time I get gas.
I was driving on the highway and the car caught on fire as I was driving.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 96,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2014 Kia Forte: 3
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving. An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or…
In the affected vehicles, the cooling fan resistor may overheat and melt. If the cooling fan resistor overheats and melts, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Kia: 124
Repair instructions Kia sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2014 Kia Forte. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Product improvement campaign: engine replacement instructions for DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z)
Nu 2.0L GDI sulev catalyst heating logic improvement (SC180)
CYLINDER HEAD STEEL BALL INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION - This Pitstop provides information regarding the inspection and installation of the steel sealing ball…
ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Engine Fires
Neighbouring years
2013 Forte: 195 complaints, consider selling · 2015 Forte: 261 complaints, consider selling.
Every Kia Forte year
2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · All Forte years side by side
Other Kia models: Kia Amanti · Kia Cadenza · Kia Carnival · Kia EV6 · Kia EV9 · Kia K5 · Kia Niro · Kia Optima · Kia Optima Hybrid · Kia Rio · Kia Rondo · Kia Sedona · Kia Seltos · Kia Sephia · Kia Sorento · Kia Soul · Kia Spectra · Kia Sportage · Kia Stinger · Kia Telluride. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2014 Kia Forte a bad year?
444 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 219, 10× a quiet Forte year. At 96,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2014 Kia Forte were filed between 70k and 130k miles. You're at 96,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Kia Forte?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (219), air bags (63), electrical system (57), brakes (28), fuel system (25). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 70k–130k miles.
How many recalls does the 2014 Kia Forte have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 20V-750), Brakes (NHTSA 17V-773), Electrical system (NHTSA 15V-015). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.