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2011 Kia Forte transmission problems

18 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 56,220. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
18
of this car's complaints
12%
typical mileage
56,220
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Kia Forte transmission problems in other years

2010201520202024

Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Kia Forte transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 6

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and linesReported February 5, 2016 · 10,240 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Forte vehicles manufactured August 27, 2010, to November 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly manufactured, resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
Risk
If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission cooler hose, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC129.

Recall number 16V070000 · Recall details

What 2011 Kia Forte owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 18, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · VA

Recalls

Filed Nov 27, 2023 · Transmission · 200,630 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and reversing, the gear shifter became stuck in reverse(R). There was no warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic assisted the contact in shifting the gear shifter linkages into park(P) manually. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the gear shifter linkages might be damaged; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to their location for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,630.

Filed Jul 30, 2023 · Airbags, Brakes · FL

No incident yet, but I see other Kia's that have been recalled for powertrain system and air bag issues. The power train issue comes up when I get my engine light checked and the airbag light is on. Also, a constant problem is the break switch, the push button car won't start sometimes and the steering wheel doesnt lock because immobilizer Is a problem and other Kia's have been recalled but not mine, instead they sent me a wheel car lock. I see online so many people complaining about the push button car not starting like mine which may be due to the immobilizer issue and theft. It is annoying to see other vehicle recalled but not mine.

Filed Oct 2, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 105,000 miles · OR

The check engine light came on, I heard a sound like metal scraping metal, I was driving about 20mph going straight down s. Main st downtown warrenton, oregon and was planning to pull over when suddenly my car stopped dead after a horrible noise of what sounded like a heavy metal snapping/crunching noise. I looked under the hood and everything looked ok, but some black fluid was dripping onto the ground. The oil had been changed about four days before this and they said it was 2.5 quarts low. I had also taken it to an auto repair shop to see if it needed any immediate attention as it was making an odd scraping noise before the oil was changed and he said he suggested some thing to do with the cam but it wasn't urgent and to just keep the oil filled in case there is a leak somewhere. The oil reservoir was full when I left that morning when it seized up. If I had been going much faster, I would probably have been killed as it stopped completely, no coasting to a stop. It just stopped. From 20mph to 0 and the car jumped when it stopped. I did not touch the brakes. It was towed to mark's auto repair in seaside, oregon. He has no idea what caused the problem but did say that metal flakes are in the oil and transmission fluid and other places too. He has a work order he is working up but said he would need to replace the engine at a minimum. They can only find short blocks for sale at this time and so the estimate is based on using a short block. My oil gets changed regularly either at kia or a local oil change shop.*dt

Filed Aug 15, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 106,890 miles · OH

Engine issues! This engine needs to be recalled for safety reasons and possible lemon. My car has only 106,890 miles on it. The engine started making a tapping noise. Then I started to have a loss of power when accelerating or going up hill. Had the codes read and it said the crankshaft position sensor. Replaced that. Then it started to idle rough. Had code read again. It said map sensor and number 2 cylinder misfire. Replaced plugs, coils, and map sensor. Now it won't start. It has no spark. Now it is showing codes for map sensor again. Number 2 cylinder misfire, throttle actuator control sensor and the power train control module. At just over 100,000 miles this should not be happening. Other model cars with the same 2.0 engine have been recalled. The 2.0 engine needs to also be recalled in the 2011 kia forte koup ex. I'm not the only owner of this model car that has had multiple issues and or total engine failure.

Filed Aug 16, 2018 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 96,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia forte. While driving various speeds, the anti-skid warning indicator illuminated. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to southwest kia austin (13175 n, us -183, austin, tx 78750, 512‑583‑1900), but the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

Filed Jul 7, 2018 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · GA

Engine transmission improperly downshifts on its own for about a second before recovering. The car stalls at red lights; it stalls at times when driving at 5mph, causing immediate loss of power steering. No dtc codes shown when examined. No check engine light activated. The improper shifting of transmission gear is very scary because it feels like the car has slammed on the brakes for about a second before recovering the gear. My car is auto transmission. It's like accelerating from 40 to 70mph and expecting the gears to shift 4,5,6....but instead it's shifting by itself from 4,5, then to 3rd gear, and then recovering to the 6th gear. It is very very scary... I took it to kia and they recommended that I take it to aamco. They reset my transmission values to no effect. When these events occurr I have no cruise control. No dtc code has popped up. My car stalls at red lights, or when leaving my car on for about 30 seconds.

Filed Apr 10, 2017 · Transmission · 56,220 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia forte. While driving, the engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument cluster. Also, the vehicle shifted into gear roughly and the contact noticed an abnormal odor. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,220.

Filed Jul 27, 2016 · Acceleration, Transmission · NV · crash

On 7/24 my 21 year old daughter was driving on a side street when the car began to accelerate on it's own. She applied the brakes (with both feet) and the car would not stop accelerating. She ended up colliding with a wall which disconnected the power and the car stopped about 50 feet from point of impact.

Filed Jul 10, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 94,000 miles · CA

My 2011 kia forte stalls randomly while I drive it. This has happened multiple times in multiple driving situations. Two incidents happened while I was in rush hour traffic on highway 805 south in san diego california. Another incident happened while I was crossing railroad tracks leaving the marriott hotel in downtown san diego (in this instance, I had to coast the car off of the tracks -fortunately no train was coming at that time). In describing my experiences in one of these incidents, I offer the following description: on june 6, 2016, while in rush hour traffic on highway 805 in san diego california, the car just stalled. When pressing the accelerator, the motor would rev but there was no response. I had to shut the car off and restart it. Fortunately, I was able to get it started and drive to safety. Please note that I have repeatedly brought the car to the local kia dealership in an attempt to solve the problem. They have been unable to solve the problem (yet they have charged me for services rendered). I filed my complaint with kia corporate consumer assistance. They have asked me to bring the car into the dealership for "escalated services" three different times. Each time I think the car is repaired, then I experience another incident. The latest incident happened two weeks after my latest visit to the dealership. My wife was driving the car in downtown san diego on the night of july 8 2016. The car stalled again! My family and I feel like we are in constant danger driving this car. Yet, we need this car in conducting our family affairs. Kia corporate cannot solve this problem and we do not know how best to proceed. We feel that our safety is at stake and we are hoping that this situation can be resolved before any harm come to our family or to others experiencing similar problems. I can obtain repair documents, but I do not have them at this moment.

Questions about the 2011 Kia Forte transmission

Does the 2011 Kia Forte have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the transmission of the 2011 Kia Forte, 12% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2011 Kia Forte transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 56,220 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2011 Kia Forte transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 16V070000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Kia Forte have bad transmission?

The Kia Forte model years with the most transmission complaints are 2019 (48 complaints), 2010 (23 complaints) and 2011 (18 complaints).

Other 2011 Kia Forte problems

Engine 48Airbags 35Brakes 29Electrical 16Acceleration 10Body 8Lights 8Driver assistance 6Seat belts 6Steering 5Fuel system 4Seats 2Tires 2Visibility 2Suspension 1Wheels 1

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