2011 Kia Forte: engine knocking or ticking

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 Oct 20, 2025 · Engine · FL

I just bought this car with 79873 miles on it it now has 81853 miles and its making a ticking noise.I been looking over the engine and wondering why my check engine light doesn't come on when I left my gas cap off.I bought this car from a used car dealership..I been doing some research on this type engine and most of them have me recalled.

Filed Jul 7, 2023 · Engine · MO

My daughters Kia Forte, started making a ticking noise. Them more she has driven the car, the worse the ticking has become. Looking on line to see what the problem may be, it appears that this is a very well known issues with Kia’s. Also reading on your sight there has been MANY complaints for the very same thing. If Kia has been made aware of the issue and did nothing about it. I feel that is negligible for them. My daughter travels out of state for college. I would hate for her to break down on the side of the road. Our mechanic said that we should use a certain type of oil of her car, her oil changes are done every 3,000 miles. They now coast us 70.00 each time we have to change the oil. I hope that you will investigate this issue with as many complaints that have been registered against Kia.

Filed May 31, 2023 · Engine · CA

I have a 2011 Kia forte had 130,000 plus miles when I bought it. I've had the car for 1 year first 2 months motor sound it 100% 3rd month I started to hear a knocking sound coming from motor I took it to kia dealer today for recall service so I asked them if they could here the knocking sound they told me that the sound was normal. I told them that when I got the car it wasn't making this knocking sound and getting louder each month. They changed the conversation and told me that i was there for them to work on a recall matter for my car. i don't know what it could be maybe the engine pistons idk but I have read a lot of people with this problem as well car has 145,500 miles now I have the oil and oil filter changed every 5,000 miles. I really think that this needs to be investigated asap as this could cost an accident if car brakes down.

Filed Feb 19, 2023 · Airbags, Engine · GA · fire

The car had a slow ticking noise that was very faint in the front for about 20 minutes 20 minutes later the noise continue to get louder about 45 minutes later six gear was lost in the car in about an hour and a half later the engine failed and the car Came to a failure lock down procedure all lights on the front door shut on steering wheel locked on friendship Road exit 8 and the vehicle had to be towed to a shop we’re now it was put on a lift and there is a hole in the bottom of the engine , And the transmission is not in tact

Filed Jan 3, 2022 · Engine · TN

The engine has had a ticking noise which has only become louder with more miles on the engine. The car has been serviced by Kia dealership regularly. The car started stalling during random times while drive. You release the gas pedal, it will almost stop. You push the gas pedal and sometimes you will regain power to the engine. This has almost caused me to have several accidnts. The car was taken to the Kia dealer and told the engine oil level was low. It was change 3 months earlier and had not been driven more than 1000 miles. The Kia dealer said it was an engine failure and would need to be replaced. I researched the car and discovered that it had 2 recalls. I have never received any information about any recall on this car ever. I was not notified of any recall when it was serviced at Kia for routine maintenance (oil and brake changes). I have owned the vehicle for 10 years now and it has 100,000 miles. I am disappointed in the engine failure which I was told $4600 to have a used replacement installed by Kia. I am seriously upset that I bought this car at the Kia dealership. Had it serviced at a Kia dealership multiple times and no one told me about any recalls, and I never received anything in the mail, email or by phone. Isn't Kia responsible to notify consumers when recalls happen etc?

Filed Sep 11, 2021 · IN

In the last few months, the engine makes increasingly louder knocking/ticking sound. Took it to the Ray Skillman KIA service shop in Southern Indianapolis/Greenwood area . They say they have seen other cars with the same problem and that the engine will die and needs replacement, at a massive cost. KIA has recalled several other models in the same model years with this problem, but somehow skipped on the KIA Forte 2011 EX. Not sure if this is an oversight on their part or cunning. PLEASE INVESTIGATE URGENTLY. Several others are reporting this issue on the federal safety agency and the Dealers have probably seen a 100x number of complaints relative to what's reported here. Thanks in advance.

Filed Apr 25, 2021 · Engine · 140,000 miles · NY

I have had a ticking noise coming from my engine for a while and just in the past 2 months the ticking has gotten much louder. The check engine light has come on and went off- I had to replace the camshaft sensor and the crankshaft sensor. The ticking sound still continues -brought to kia thought it could possibly be internal engine failure starting to occur based on sound of engine but nothing definite. I have felt safe with this car but now not so sure. I have faithfully changed my oil every 3 months since I bought this car brand new in 2011.

Filed Mar 22, 2021 · Engine · IL

Around 85,000 miles on a 2011 kia forte koup the engine started ticking and became more pronounced. Brought it to a mechanic and they told me to bring to kia because so many were being recalled. It's rod bearing. I've had all necessary oil changes and work done to it throughout the years.

Filed Feb 17, 2021 · Engine · 120,000 miles · WA

After owning my 2011 kia forte for the last 6 years it has developed a ticking sound in the engine. It is very mild while idling, and while rpms are under 1500. After rpms go past 2000 the ticking noise is progressively louder. When I bought the car it had roughly 85,000 miles on it and now has $125,000. I have had regular oil changes on it, every 3000-5000 miles. After hearing the ticking I took it in to my mechanic who said this is a regular occurrence with kia fortes and that the only fix is replacing or repairing the engine. I have been doing a lot of research and reading a lot of complaints on this website about kia engines going bad around 100,000 miles and I believe you should look into kia for this. There needs to be a recall on kia's engines.

Filed Jan 13, 2021 · Engine · 153,578 miles · OH

Hi I believe u should have a recall on the engines for an example when I look up the timing change its says most had to replace then the piston slop is knocking and it seems like most had to replace that. I have been looking for a rebuild kit for my kia and would like to just rebuild it myself but can't seem to find a 2.0 rebuild kit for a 2011 forte ex online... Why is that?

Filed Dec 18, 2020 · Engine · 97,000 miles · IL

There is a constant knocking coming from the engine and loud noise when accelerating the engine. The check engine light is also turning on and off. 2012-2015 kia forte koups have recently been recalled, but not the 2011 model. This car has the same theta 2 engine and the same problems. The engine is shot and will not last much longer. I sincerely hope the recall is extended to the 2011 model kia forte koup.