2021 Kia Forte: check engine light

Filed Apr 24, 2026 · Engine · CA

Driving under normal conditions April 20,2026, on the way to school. Got off the freeway and the vehicle immediately shut-off and the check engine light came on. Vehicle was stuck partially in the roadway and would not move. Vehicle was towed to Kia dealership and they found that there was no oil in the engine and that the oil drain plug was completely missing. This problem caused catastrophic engine failure resulting in the need for a full engine replacement. A routine oil change had been conducted approx. 2,000 miles prior to this on January 12, 2026. The vehicle had been driven daily since that oil change with no noticeable oil leak or problems preceding this event. Had this event occurred at freeway speeds, it could have caused serious injury to the driver and other motorists on the roadway at that time. It appears that the drain plug fell out since there was no other additional or noticeable damage to the oil pan or surrounding the drain plug itself. This information was confirmed by a photograph taken by the dealership conducting the repairs.

Filed Mar 3, 2026 · Engine · 125,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Forte. While driving at various speeds, the check engine warning illuminated. The vehicle would start to vibrate. The vibration was more evident while slowing down or stopping at traffic lights. The vibration and the warning light had become a recurring failure. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was cleared. However, lately, turning on and restarting the vehicle failed to clear the warning light. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled several times. While the vehicle was stopped and idling, the RPM was fluctuating as if the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer several times; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact was advised that the vehicle was in good working order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed Feb 20, 2025 · Transmission · OK

The transmission went out while driving, entering the highway. It was intermittently missing a gear or slipping in about 2nd or 3rd gear. I first noticed it going about 40 mph and trying to accelerate to highway speeds. It was during a winter storm and other vehicles behind me had to brake unexpectedly. I wasn't sure if I felt for sure, so I continued to drive through many inclines and declines. The inclines became more difficult and the inability to maintain consistent speeds. I drove gently to the nearest Kia dealership which was in Salt Lake City about 60 miles away, where they informed me that I needed a new transmission. The car had about 75,000 miles on it and I bought it as a certified Pre-owned Kia with about 4,000 miles on it. The dealership plugged in the diagnostic code reader. But there were no codes detected. The service tech drove the car and felt the issue. A warranty representative inspected it about a week later. There were no warning lamps while I drove (mostly coasting downhill) from Rock Springs, WY. When I arrived to Salt Lake City, the triangle warning light came on. I drove about 10 more miles and the engine light came on. Almost all mileage has been on highways and at highways speeds as I commuted 75 miles each way for work on a turnpike between eastern Oklahoma and Fayetteville, Arkansas. There was little city driving. I lived in a small town. So, I had to travel state highways for most all errands (groceries, medical, etc.). There were no mechanical issues with the car ever until this.

Filed Oct 7, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

Service engine light turns off then comes back on. Get message engine failure. Scanner at dealership scanned 15 codes relating to misfires on all cylinders. Positive battery terminal caked up real bad causing arcing and melting plastic. Last I heard from dealership was possibly a engine replacement.

Filed May 31, 2023 · Engine · 21,234 miles · MI

My Kia forte 21 that I owned for less than 2 years, stalled out while driving on 20 April 23. The engine light came on. I checked the oil and there was none , despite having regular maintenance being performed. No light indicators appeared informing me that my vehicle had no oil left. My vehicle had 21,234 miles when the engine failed. Kia has yet to contact me or assist me with this matter. I could’ve possibly died while driving on the highway and my car randomly stalling out.