2014 Kia Forte: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · CA

The systems affected appear to be engine, powertrain, and vehicle speed control. My 2014 Kia Forte, VIN [XXX] has approximately 118,000 miles. Since purchase in November2025 from Wondries Toyota, the vehicle has had repeated high RPM, poor acceleration, and loss of power when entering freeway on-ramps and driving uphill. It struggles to accelerate while merging into faster traffic, creating a safety risk as vehicles behind approach at higher speeds. Two different mechanics verbally advised that there may be an oil leak or oil consumption issue affecting the catalytic converter. I replaced the catalytic converter a couple months ago, but it became clogged again and the power loss continues. The vehicle is available for inspection. The problem has not been inspected by the manufacturer yet, and I don’t have a written diagnostic report at this time. There was no crash, fire, injury, or fatality, and no police report. Warning lights are unknown. The exact incident date is approximate. The issue has been ongoing since after purchase and occurs multiple times, especially during freeway merging and uphill driving. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 25, 2025 · Engine · UT

The engine is failing. I took my Kia Forte into the dealership in March of 2025 for a blinking engine light and loss of power. It is under a warranty for engine replacement but Kia has done everything in their power not to help their own customer out. This engine issue can cause life threatening issues such as engine fires or stalling on busy roads which could lead to accidents. I will be getting further help from an attorney if the issue is not resolved.

Filed Jan 2, 2025 · Engine · VA

I want to report KIA of Lynchburg at 3400 Old Forest Rd. Lynchburg, VA 24501 because they do not want to honor their recall. October 14, 202I: I took my car to Kia because of a recall. After the mechanic finish, Lisa said to bring it back if the engine light goes on. (Exhibit 1) November 16, 2021: Lisa said that if the light was on due to a different problem I have to pay for the service. I agreed to hook it on the computer because I was sure all this has to do with the recall. I had to pay $99 because the oxygen sensor was not part of the recall. I asked her for a copy of the recall. She said, “you don’t qualify for the recall because you went over the mileage.” And she didn’t give me a copy. (Exhibit 2) June 5, 2024: I took my car to Harris. I let them know about t the popping sound on the steering wheel and the losing of power going uphill. I was recommended to bring my car back to Kia. (Exhibit 3) Jun 11, 2024: I took my car to KIA at Harry Tire's suggestion and because I received a letter from Kia. The Kevin said they’re going to check the breaks, oil waste, and the losing of power. 9:27am (434) 847-3292. I call KIA because I forgot to tell the guy about the knocking sound from the steering wheel. Kevin explained me that I will be charge for that because that was not cover under the warranty. I told him not to do it. I received an estimate of everything that needs to be fixed on the car and how much I will be charged. (Exhibit 4) Sept 3, 2024: I called service of Kia and Mike answered, I told him that I want to set up an appoint because I received a renotification letter at that moment he hands up the telephone on me. I called again to service, and I left a message letting them know what happened with my first call, but nobody contacted me back. (Exhibit 5) October 1, 24: I took my car to NTB for the oxygen sensor to be change, but the mechanic said code P1326 shows a history, and that his wife had the same problem and KIA had to install a new motor for her.

Filed Jan 30, 2023 · Engine · IL

While driving on the interstate vehicle's engine warning light turned on and suddenly the vehicle rapidly lost power. This created a VERY dangerous situation on a busy highway, putting my safety at risk and those of fellow drivers. Luckily there were no accidents and I managed to get to a repair facility. The mechanic said the engine codes were for the replacement of the engine. The engine was also low on oil again. Refilled oil to proper levels. The same issue occurred the next day, with more missing oil - no power, barely drivable and smells like gasoline inside the car a 2014 KIA FORTE.

Filed May 16, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · VA

Bought a used 2014 Kia Forte from Ourisman Kia in Chantilly, VA in November, 2021. Had 116k miles. 2/20/22, traveling on 55 MPH three lane road, the car suddenly lost all power as I was driving in the left lane. Engine light was flashing. I put on hazards and was able to pull off the highway. On 2/21/22 Ourisman Kia service added oil, cleared error codes, and told us to drive 1000 miles and bring it back. We did not make it to 1000 miles. Car again suddenly went into limp mode and flashing engine light while teenage son was driving on 3/15. Code Po302 was detected. Ourisman Kia service replaced ignition coil and spark plugs 3/17. On 3/23, car again suddenly went into limp mode and engine light started flashing again while on highway. Returned car to Ourisman Kia service 3/24/22 where it still sits. Code P1326 is detected. At any of these three times the car went into limp mode while driving on highway, me or my family could have been in serious accident. Car completely loses power to nothing and then slowly rebuilds to max 2000 RPM / approx 40 MPH.

Filed Sep 15, 2021 · Engine · 120,506 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle there was an exhaust odor present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle would lose power and did not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the catalytic convertor however, six months later the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. After replacing the catalytic convertor for the second time the failure recurred approximately six months later. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,506.

Filed Jun 30, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · GA · fire

I bought the car in November 2 weeks later driving on December 10 All lights came out car loss power and engine blew off I was driving at around 55mph I’m still paying for the car but I never received no notice for the recall I need an answer ASAP the cae as been in my garage since December 10/2020

Filed Feb 27, 2021 · Engine · 112,000 miles · WI

My 2014 kia forte with a 1.8 l engine randomly stall and lost all power while driving. Oil emergency light comes on. We took our 2014 kia forte to our mechanic. They drained the oil and found metal shavings in the oil panel and said we need an engine replacement. We took our vehicle then to our local kia dealership and they said our rod bearings are scraping causing the metal shavings. Our kia forte has 112,000 miles and is out of warranty and kia said we have to pay out of pocket to replace the engine. We believe that this should be covered by an extended warranty due to the class action settlement against kia.

Filed Feb 21, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 111,000 miles · CA

On 2/19/2021 I was driving on the hwy and the car was losing power. I don't drive it that much so wasn't sure if it was just me. But as I pulled into a drive thru and was coming to a stop, the car was idling a little rough and the engine was ticking and lightly knocking. Also here is a list of continuing issues that we have had over the years since we bought the car brand new with like 12 miles on it. The rear passenger window has never worked. The radio bluetooth always had connectivity issues. Then the tire pressure warning light appeared and is still on. The tire shop said it might be a defective tire sensor back passenger. The airbag light is always on now. Then the radio antenna fell off the roof, I glued it back on. Recently the buttons on the steering wheel have not been functioning properly, or not at all. And the driver window button does whatever it wants to do, sometimes it will work with some light finesse.

Filed Feb 8, 2021 · Engine, Steering · 86,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 kia forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine vibrated abnormally. During the failure, the vehicle loss power steering assist and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. The check engine warning light and oil light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the engine coils however, the failure persisted. After receiving notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v750000 (engine), the vehicle was taken to kia of greenville located at 2424 laurens rd, greenville, sc 29607 however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

Filed Jan 27, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 131,700 miles · MA

Purchased on june 27 2019. 3 weeks later I stopped by dealership for assistance it's been a nightmare since. Car had been consuming oil and I've spent thousands of dollars for repairs. Just had master mechanic replacing catalytic converter and it's already plugged. Kay on both accounts assured me nothing wrong, nice car has 23 brains it's the echo drive. Engine light blinks and no one can get a code reading, no one but kia. Both service rep, tyler and kia consumer affairs agent, dean thought I was, and referred to me as wharton whom purchased the car 2014 and had engine problems according to these individual that thought I was there for same reason. Dean from kia consumer affairs specifically told me during a phone conversation dec 2020, and verifying my VIN number that my vertical was in fact on recall list. I call jan 20th 2021 and told I was not and case was closed due to I being informed of recall to which I called after seeing arrival on line. I'm advised to go on your website with my VIN number and find out if I'm part of recall. I am not. Why????. This car obviously is defective if I'm thought to be shannon trying to take kia for a ride and I'm the 3rd owner with same problem as prior owners. This car is not safe. I've turned to kia to begin with and paid for compression tests, replaced catalytic converter over 1000.00 dollars and it needs replacing again due to oil consumption. Fact is I was sold a car with engine problems and have almost been rear end due to power loss, limp mode tyler called it... It's not safe. What can I do now I know I'm out 9000.00 dollars on this car on my ssdi pay. Much more details documented who what when here and what was said. Times and dates for entire duration of events starting with kira at ron bouchards in fitchburg mass july of 2019 and oct 2020.*dt consumer stated she would like the complaint to be removed from public viewing.*jb*dt consumer stated kia has no recall on the vehicle even though oil leak is recalled and will not make a recall appointment.

Filed Jan 25, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

I replaced my catalyc converter in july, was informed there was an internal oil leak from the engine causing the catalyc to clog and car lose power. Replaced the whole thing over $2000. Now experiencing the same thing again. The vehicle loses power when accelerated. As well can smell the oil burning.