2013 Kia Forte: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 21, 2024 · TX · fire · 1 injury

On [XXX] , my 2013 Kia Forte SX Koup caught fire while I was driving on the tollway. Kia failed to notify me that I was sold a Lemon Car, leading to this life-threatening incident. The steering wheel and gas pedal became unresponsive, and my brakes stiffened, making it extremely difficult to stop. I feared for my life and safety as I struggled to pull over. After parking, I smelled fumes and saw fire under the hood. I called 911, and emergency services arrived to extinguish the fire. As a result, I now have respiratory issues from inhaling fumes, migraines from hitting my head, and a pulled muscle from forcing the locked steering. I have been unable to seek medical care due to the financial burden of renting a car, which has cost me $1,083.74 so far, using funds intended for rent. I contacted Kia on October 9th, 2024, but they delayed their response until October 15th. Since then, they have continuously prolonged the process, now saying it will take over a month and a half. Kia also failed to notify me of a recall related to this issue, which I later discovered on my own. I am requesting immediate action from Kia, including reimbursement for my rental, vehicle replacement, and compensation for medical expenses. Kia's delays and lack of concern for my safety and well-being are unacceptable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 8, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 118,150 miles · PA · fire

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte EX. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 55 MPH, she noticed smoke emerging from the vehicle. The driver pulled over and called roadside assistance. All the warning lights illuminated. Upon arrival, roadside assistance informed the driver the engine had caught fire and had seized. It was unknown how the fire was extinguished. The contact stated that the failure was due to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed him the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted, who started a claim. The manufacturer requested a photo of the engine but the contact stated that he did not have any photos. The failure mileage was approximately 118,150.

Filed Dec 12, 2023 · Engine · PA

Driving one day and check engine light came on. Car began to stutter and a billow of white smoke came from rear. Vehicle was disabled. Towed to Kia dealership. Dealership states they are doing a cylinder test. The car has been at the dealership since 08/14/2023. I have reached out to the dealer 5 times and have not gotten a response. Each time I have called I have been told that a service advisor will call me back. They won’t even tell me what’s wrong or causing the car to shut off and overheat. Car starts normally and then within ten minutes white smoke appears from the exhaust. Also hot liquid steams off engine. Last time I contacted the dealer was on 11/30/23. They said a service advisor would call me back. It is currently 12/12/23 and my issue is still not resolved. Car is still at dealership and has not moved. I am the second owner of the vehicle and have a extended warranty through a third party.

Filed Nov 27, 2023 · Brakes · 196,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he observed smoke coming from the passenger’s side of the engine compartment, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the thermostat. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the VIN was included, but the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 196,000.

Filed Oct 25, 2021 · Engine · 66,917 miles · WI · fire

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that while driving at 50 - 55 mph, noises were heard and smoke came from the front and rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer replaced the engine and fuel pump. However, while the dealer was test driving the vehicle, abnormal noises were heard. The dealer informed the contact that they would contact the manufacturer to replace the engine. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,917.

Filed Jun 8, 2021 · Engine · 85,400 miles · CT · fire

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 10 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact parked the vehicle and saw smoke entering the cabin of the vehicle through the vents. The contact exited the vehicle before the vehicle caught on fire. There was no injury sustained. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. A police report was not filed. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The contact called local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 85,400.

Filed Apr 7, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · NY · fire

My 2013 kia forte koup was parked as I ran into the store, I came out to my car on fire and it is not repairable. It was all from behind the dashboard the electrical I believe as my steering wheel and everything was on fire. I have a 10yr warranty on my car, I received an urgent recall a few days after my car fire in regards to possible engine compartment fire and something else. I contacted the dealership who I purchased my car from but they said we do not deal with that you must contact kia consumer assistance so I did the very next day. I spoke with ryan and he gave me a case number stated not to worry they will get me in a car and have my car inspected and see what they can do for me. I heard from him twice then nothing for two weeks their systems were down, I have called and emailed so many times with no call back or email back. I demanded to speak with a supervisor because 3 weeks and nothing has been done I did not have a replacement car or rental and my rental through my insurance company would only be for 30 days. The manager was jeff stroup who was not helpful and a little shady also laughed at me because I was upset I had no car no answers no results. He said it takes a while to have vehicle inspected and then another month for the results, but yet I am at their mercy being I have no car and I have a warranty. He was rude and not helpful at all. He asked me to send him the bill for the rental car I had to pay out of pocket, I did and have not heard from him. I have called many times and they do not give you anyones direct number or email. It is about 2 months since my car fire and no phone calls no inspection of my car and absolutely no help from kia! I do not understand how they give horrible customer service and fail to assist someone who spent a lot of money on their car and has a warranty. I currently have no vehicle but a warranty that does nothing

Filed Mar 3, 2021 · Airbags, Electrical · NY · fire

I received an email from carfax notifying me of a recall for my car pertaining to a possible fire, I called dealership to set up appointment and found out there was 2 recalls for my car but never once received any notification from kia. My appointment was for the coming saturday but on wednesday after I parked and ran into the grocery store for less than 15mins I came out to a gentleman who asked if this was my car, when I looked at it I was confused because all the windows were black and smoke was coming I believe from either the hood or window, he said your car is on fire. Before I knew what was happening there were fire trucks and police. My entire inside of my car behind the dashboard and all electrical wires were burned the entire dashboard steering wheel radio everything. My car was destroyed, I called my insurance company right away as the police advised me too and later on a friend gave me the number to the kia consumer assistance where I notified them.

Filed Mar 3, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 74,000 miles · NY · fire

My kia went on fire and I was never notified by kia, I found out from carfax and set up appointment to have this recall fixed and found out there was 2 recalls. Set up the appt for saturday, while my car was parked and off I ran into the store came out and my car was on fire all of the dashboard all behind it. My car was totaled by insurance. 2 days after my car goes on fire I am suddenly getting red emergency recall notices in the mail. Dealership will not speak with me, the kia consumer assistance gave me a case number but has done nothing in over 2 weeks. I still had my 10yr warrantee and kia said I would settle with your insurance you will get more money from them. They do not return calls or emails and they do not want to take responsability at all.

Filed Jan 1, 2021 · Engine · 56,000 miles · MD · fire

Driving on interstate I-70 md at 65mph when I heard a ticking sound and I wasnt getting any power. Car was struggling to move when all the sudden bang!!!! Smoke, plastic and metal went flying everywhere from the engine bay, ricocheting off the asphalt towards the sides of my vehicle and other cars trailing behind me. Cars swerved to avoid the debris from hitting their vehicles. Power steering went out and I struggled to move the car over to the shoulder across another lane. I couldve easily been killed had a driver not been paying attention or looking at their phone crossing lanes as the vehicle quickly was coming to a stop, inable to move. I somehow safely got to the shoulder and got the car towed at my expense to the mechanic. Catastrophic engine failure. Rod snapped and blew a 2 inch hole through the engine block and car lit on fire briefly. Bought a new (used) theta ii engine (the same engine recalled in hundreds of thousands other kias and hyundais) but not for the 2013 kia koup with the same engine problem. $4800+ later, im still scared driving on the highway as I couldve easily been smashed that day by another vehicle. Kia needs to recall every single make year and model with the theta 2 engine. Have new (used) engine reciept and all documentation pertaining to the incident.

Filed Aug 20, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 43,000 miles · VA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2013 kia forte. While the vehicle not idling, the contact not alerted that the vehicle was on fire. The vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered because the matter was resolved with the insurance company. There were no injuries. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 43,000. **tr consumer stated car was parked. Failing part: cooling fan sensor. Updated 11/8/18

Filed Sep 2, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · 18,000 miles · CA

Car makes loud noise while driving down fwy sounds like engine is going to drop out from underneath it - shakes and vibrates and acts like it's going to stop any moment. Brakes will not disengage, thereby making the gas pedal unable to engage. Car loses power while driving when brake doesn't disengage because the gas pedal doesn't engage. Brakes smell of burning rubber. Car rides like all 4 tires are flat - car shakes and vibrates as well. This has happened numerous times - more than 10 - took to dealer - they told me there was nothing wrong with the car. It is extremely dangerous to drive - I had the brake system line flushed and bled and the shop told me that what was in the brake line was not brake fluid - written right on the invoice. Kia is not standing behind their cars and screwing people - especially women. Service managers would just smirk and laugh when I took it in with the complaints - like I was an idiot.