2011 Kia Forte: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Brakes · 130,000 miles · GA · fire

The contact owned a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 60 MPH, the RPMs rose and the vehicle hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The driver pulled over into the emergency lane when an abnormal popping sound emitted from the vehicle without warning. Black smoke then entered through the interior vents, and the vehicle caught fire. The driver and two passengers exited before the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames. Emergency services were notified, and the fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard and was deemed a total loss. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Jul 31, 2026 · Brakes · 300,000 miles · WV · fire · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, a bystander went into the contact's place of employment and stated that there was a fire inside the vehicle in the parking lot. The contact became aware that his vehicle was the one on fire. No warning lights were illuminated prior to parking the vehicle. The cause of the failure was unknown. The contact's wife attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher but was unable to extinguish the fire. The contact called the Fire Department, and the firemen were able to extinguish the fire and were required to remove the dashboard in order to extinguish it. The Fire Department filed a report. A Police report was filed. The contact stated that his wife sought medical attention for smoke inhalation. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.

Filed Jan 5, 2026 · Brakes · 85,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from under the hood, and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact noticed a burning odor in the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed pollution control system. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken for the State Inspection, and the vehicle failed the inspection due to a failed pollution system. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that the failure described in the recall notification indicated a possible engine fire. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Filed Oct 21, 2025 · Brakes · MO · fire

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an unusual ticking sound and smoke coming from under the hood. In addition, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed smoke that was coming from the HECU fuse box. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for three weeks without any communication from the dealer. The contact was unsure if the vehicle had been inspected or not. The contact received a recall notification, the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 25, 2024 · Engine · GA

They said my car may catch on fire due a fuse. This has been since sep and it it is now almost may. This could fire up my car at any time and could be very dangerous. Also have to park car outside so wind rain and bird poop has take a toll on my car. What is the big problem with making one fuse. Thanks

Filed Feb 15, 2024 · Body, Electrical · GA · fire

I was driving and the car caught on fire.

Filed Nov 27, 2023 · Brakes · AL · fire

The contact owned a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that he had parked the vehicle and upon walking towards the vehicle, he noticed that the front end of the vehicle had caught on fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report and a police report were filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it was totaled. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000Â (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) that he related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 22, 2023 · Engine · FL · fire

On 8/28/2022 my 2011 Kia Forte's engine caught on fire and it caused damage to my entire garage along with my personal belongings. I had contacted Kia multiple times and was put on hold for over an hour at a time and hung up on multiple times until a few weeks after the fire I finally got a hold of them and they put in a "work order". After following up with them a week later I come to find out that the work order was put in for a car pare (the engine in the car was burnt to crisp). I finally had someone help and a representative from Kia came out afterwards they conveyed that after "their investigation" that "evidence shows fire and heat attacking vehicle from outside and moving into the engine compartment". Which is completely false per fire department who where first on the scene they determined the fire started in the engine compartment of the vehicle". This was very disappointing Kia took no responsibility for this. Now I receive a recall notice dated November 14th, 2023 stating that "the Hydraulic electronic control unit may experience an electrical short circuit, which can result in an engine compartment fire while driving or parked. This is exactly what happened to my car at the time of the incident so now they are admitting they were at fault.

Filed Jun 20, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · FL

I went to Friendly Way Motors sometime on April 28th for a 2011 Kia Forte, there I met salesperson [XXX] who showed me the vehicle, it were my first time dealing with a dealership I'm sure he were aware, I then went on to have him jump it so I could go on a test drive, when then I noticed a whistling sound but [XXX] used his kinda old OBD or OBM meter to check and stated there may be nothing to it, so I listened to his expertise and later went on to purchase the vehicle through [XXX] in the office with [XXX] the owner I think, I kinda began to feel something was off when I had spent over $584.44 on car insurance through [XXX] with Dairyland through the dealership, but I assumed that's the way things are since they concluded it were due to inflation, we went through some papers concerning my contract which a few papers I went through myself since[XXX] suddenly got a call and then we resumed the papers, I left with the car felt sound at last, until not literally a couple weeks later I were experiencing a myriad of defects with the car, like it kept dying on me, kept making a myriad of distinct noises and mechanical malfunctions, all through which I contacted [XXX] to inspect and or fix until then when I were going to Tampa the 2011 Kia Forte then began to have power steering issues, and brake issues, both of which I almost got in an accident over, a putrid powerful burning smell from the power steering reservoir, battery problems, key ignition cylinder getting stuck on me, all of my dash lights coming on with the engine sign constantly on, not to mention although I am paying more than I would normally pay for car insurance, I ran into a ditch off of 100 Wolf pack Run in Deltona FL because of the power steering, I had no road side assistance. The police department, fire department and school campus came and went with no help, I had to wait till morning for someone to get me out. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Mar 28, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 55,000 miles · MI · fire

My engine caught fire and the electrical wires were burned

Filed Aug 15, 2018 · Electrical · 200,000 miles · GA · fire

Takata recall car starting smoking while driving on the highway.after the car was turned off smoke increased fire initiated in car on the left side(driver side) in the corner underneath windshield. Entire car engulfed in flames.

Filed Jun 26, 2017 · Acceleration, Electrical · 75,000 miles · NC · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia forte. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 30 MPH, there was smoke coming from the passenger's side window. The contact also stated that when the daughter applied the accelerator pedal, it failed to function and the vehicle gradually stopped completely. The contact's daughter got out of the vehicle and saw a red fluid underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was left at the side of the road. The vehicle was not towed or taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v070000 (power train), however the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted at 800‑333‑4542. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was part of the recall. A case number: 12391153 was provided. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.