2011 Kia Forte Koup recalls and problems

The 2011 Kia Forte Koup has 2 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.

Urgent: recall 23V-652 carries a "park outside" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

0 / 0

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2011 Kia Forte Koup vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2011 Kia Forte Koup recalls

Recall 23V-652: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Park outsideReported Sep 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 vehicles affected · Kia America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

Recall 18V-363: Air Bags

Reported Jun 1, 2018 · 507,587 vehicles affected · Kia Motors America

Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.

Risk: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Fix: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.

2011 Kia Forte Koup problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Engine	3
Vehicle Speed Control	2
Fuel/Propulsion System	1
Power Train	1
Air Bags	1
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 81,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2011 Kia Forte Koup complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Vehicle Speed Control · at 75,000 miles · reported Mar 8, 2019

My car accelerates on its own. Fully stopped, my car is on 1000rpms, I will be driving at a constant speed and my RPM shoots all the way up.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · at 82,000 miles · reported Mar 1, 2019

One morning I started the car and the "check engine" light came on. The car also made a knocking/ticking sound that was not usual and the engine had an abnormal sound to it when stationed and in motion. It progressively got worse, especially as it was driven to the dealer right after the light came on. We brought it into the dealer we bought it from and found out that the light was for a code about the intake manifold (Butterfly) valves not opening/closing properly. It later ended up being complete internal engine failure due to the connecting rod bearing failing. The car required a completely…

Air Bags · at 94,000 miles · reported Aug 13, 2018

Hello, long story short, kia has faulty airbags I have a very pregnant wife. They have yet to die right by the customer and off safe vehicles to replace these until a fix is found. I went to kia in turnersville nj to have a hub assembly replaced. At this time I requested the technician to run the VIN for an airbag recall I saw online, this was in june. He came back saying he checked and it is all clear and I asked him to check again mainly because she is 8 months pregnant. Once again told it was clear. Today I received something in the mail from kia regarding my pregnant finances airbag in…

Power Train · at 15 miles · reported Dec 14, 2017

My car broke down in december 2015, when I took it to the kia service department and they fix it. I paid over 1000 usd. 2 months later there was a safety recall for the same reason my car broke down couple monts before that recall. Until this day I have tried to get my money back and they dont want to give me a refund even though it was a factory defect. I was driving on the freeway when the car stopped completeley due to the hose of the transmision fluid. 04/01/2021: odi # changed from 11054837 to 11054367 as part of routine data cleanup.

Engine · at 100,500 miles · reported Sep 5, 2017

Upon entering a highway, a knock occurred and as RPM dropped the knocking subsided. Next day and check engine light turned on and while while in motion on a city street, vehicle stalled and RPM drop to zero. Car would not turn on an engine would not turn over. Mechanic stated that the engine "locked up"

Other Kia Forte Koup years

2017 2015 2014 2013 201220112010

Compare all Kia Forte Koup years · All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Kia Forte Koup have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Kia Forte Koup: 23V-652 (service brakes, hydraulic), 18V-363 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Kia Forte Koup?

Owners report engine problems most often (3 reports), followed by vehicle speed control (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 81,000 miles.

Are Kia recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.