2015 Kia Forte: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Engine · GA

While driving my 2015 Kia Forte5 at approximately 80 mph on GA-400, I was traveling in the far-left lane when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly lost acceleration and engine power. Pressing the accelerator produced little to no response. There was no gradual reduction in speed or sufficient warning that the vehicle was about to lose propulsion. Because I was in the far-left lane, I had to maneuver across approximately four lanes of highway traffic to reach the shoulder. Fortunately, this occurred at night when traffic was relatively light, allowing me to get the vehicle to safety. GA-400 normally carries very heavy traffic during the daytime, and I believe the same sudden loss of propulsion under those conditions could have resulted in a serious collision because the driver may have no safe way to cross multiple lanes while rapidly losing speed. After the initial incident, I was able to drive approximately five minutes to my brother’s house. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle, and the following day we brought it to an authorized Kia dealership and explained the loss-of-power condition. At that time, the engine had not yet completely failed. The dealership did not proceed with an engine repair/replacement and indicated that the engine/check-engine-light condition needed to be present. After leaving Kia, the problem became substantially worse. While the vehicle was being driven back, the engine completely lost power and the vehicle became disabled. We had to physically push the vehicle to a safe location. The vehicle is currently available for inspection. Kia later informed us that the vehicle had been reported as a total loss in 2017 and therefore they consider it ineligible for warranty coverage. Regardless of warranty eligibility, my reason for filing this complaint is the serious safety risk created by the sudden loss of propulsion at highway speed. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document and review this incident as a potential vehicle safety defect

Filed May 10, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · MN

The engine in my 2015 Kia Forte (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced failure tied to recall code P1326, which is associated with bearing wear and potential engine seizure. The vehicle entered limp mode around [XXX] at 152,170 miles, despite early signs of failure starting at 131,000 miles. These included loss of power, rough idle, and a check engine light (CEL) which triggered the P1326 code confirmed by both a pre-scan and Kia dealership. System that failed: The engine and powertrain system. Issue stems from rod bearing wear as identified in Kia’s engine class-action settlement. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: Limp mode drastically reduced engine power on a main road. I could not safely accelerate, which created a hazard in traffic. Additionally, oil loss was confirmed on multiple occasions, and misfire codes were detected. This could have led to engine stall or seizure if I continued driving. Was issue confirmed by a dealer or service center? Yes. Lupient Kia confirmed P1326 at 133,703 miles. Luther Kia later confirmed limp mode and conducted a diagnostic at 152,170 miles. Was vehicle/component inspected by others? Yes. Jiffy Lube documented "no oil on stick" at 130,367 miles. O’Reilly Auto and Economy Muffler later confirmed related secondary issues. Were there symptoms or warnings prior to failure? Yes. CEL appeared at 131,000 miles. Knock sensor was replaced at 131,165 miles. P1326 and oil loss symptoms were consistently documented between April 2024 and April 2025. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 9, 2023 · Engine · PA · crash

Car lost power, stalled in traffic at a stoplight on a slight incline, rolled back into another vehicle. Have been having repeated problems with stalling. Have taken it to 3 dealerships, none of whom have done anything beyond oil changes. They've even refused to scan it. Kia says it should be under warranty for a new engine after KSDS update, then says it's not. We've been lucky not to have injuries so far because it's done this stalling thing multiple times in traffic.

Filed Dec 9, 2021 · Engine · SD

2015 forte with 1.8l engine. Rod nock noise developed after 104k miles. Loss of power and drivability is decreasing. No diagnostic lights on. Called Kia and was told that the 1.8L are not under the recall. However there are several 1.8 motors exhibiting the same symptoms. Oil changes have been done at suggested intervals. I believe the recall needs to be expanded. Kia wants me to take to dealer to verify. ASE mechanic has looked at it.

Filed Jul 20, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · KY

The engine has lower engine knocking. It has a rod knocking very loud. It could throw a rod through engine at any time, cause the vehicle to wreck and catch on fire. Yes, it was confirmed that it had a rod knocking in engine. yes, An ASE Certified mechanic. No check engine light came on. It just started knocking real bad and lost power.They appeared as I was driving down the road.

Filed Dec 14, 2020 · Engine · 60,000 miles · VA

Vehicle experiences engine power loss as low and highway speeds. Engine power loss is accompanied by plume of oil smoke from exhaust, momentary check engine and low oil pressure light. Loss of engine power results in rapid engine deceleration of vehicle until stopped at which point the engine regains power. Vehicle has received maintenance in accordance with manufacturer recommended maintenance cycle.

Filed Oct 18, 2020 · Engine · 80,000 miles · PA

We only bought this car 8 months ago with 70,000 miles on the engine. We noticed the engine seemed to be losing power after about 4 months. Then last week the car abruptly shrieked and stopped while we were driving. After which, the engine began to knock, and we had it towed to a local kia dealership. The dealership told us we would need a new engine and the knock was coming from the low end. We have religiously serviced the vehicle, and the car only had 80,000 miles when the engine blew. Clearly this is a failure of the manufacturer, but because we are not the original owners, kia refuses to provide the repairs they know they are responsible for.

Filed Aug 18, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 87,000 miles · MD

Prior to the engine incident I was experiencing the lights flickering , power window malfunctions. The incident occurred on 6/21/2020(father's day morning). I was on my way to the store when my cars engine seized suddenly. I recently had my oil changed in 4/03/2020. No problems reported at the oil change appointment. So the morning of 6/21/2020. I started the car and proceeded to leave my boyfriends house. As soon as I made the left turn out into the street I heard this knocking in the front of the car I'm assuming that was the engine then suddenly ! The car made this loud grinding noise and I immediately experienced loss of power while the car was in motion and the car suddenly stopped in the middle of the street as soon as I made the left hand turn into the street then the engine light came on and there was smoke coming from under the hood as if the car was about to catch fire ! Thank god me and my boyfriend were able to push the car out of the street into a parking lot in nuetral. I was able to get it towed to a shop using my insurance and I had to leave it at the shop overnight in their parking lot because they were closed for father's day. The next day I get a call from the shop and they said they tried to jumpstart it, the checked the battery, oil level, and they said the reason for the engine failure was not oil related they said it was nothing they could do. I had to go and and look for an engine to replace the failed engine. It costs me aloooooot of money ! I only had the car for 2 years. I got it at a dealership but my warranty expired so I was unable to repair it through the warranty. The car just hit 87,000 miles ! I got the car at the dealership at 54,000 miles. I do not drive long distances, I keep up with all the maintenance on my car and my engine suddenly failed ! Help !! This problem is too common amongst the kia fortes. I have a 2015 kia forte5.