Kia Forte power steering loss problems

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Steering · 53,280 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to operate. The contact stated that the steering wheel would knock from left to right and would unexpectedly seize. Due to the failure, the steering became difficult to control. The vehicle was taken to a service center, where the failure was confirmed to be related to the steering system. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel flex coupling had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure via telephone, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 53,280.

Filed Aug 9, 2026 · Suspension · CA

The right front lower control arm has completely broken/fractured during operation. Kia has previously issued safety recalls SC283 (the federal safety agency 23V649) and SC306 (the federal safety agency 24V244) for this exact vehicle model year due to improperly manufactured right front lower control arms that can crack and fail. My vehicle was manufactured in March 2023 (03/23), which is just prior to the official April 12, 2023 recall window. Because the component suffered the precise, catastrophic structural failure described in the federal recall campaigns, it is clear that defective parts were used in production earlier than Kia's current recall parameters account for. This is a severe safety hazard that causes an immediate loss of steering control and places occupants at extreme risk of a crash. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this out-of-window component failure and pressure Kia to expand the recall parameters to protect other owners. The vehicle was in a minor pothole incident six months ago but suffered no suspension failure at that time. This is a fresh, catastrophic fracture just discovered on the right front lower control arm. The fracture is clean, unoxidized, and brand new, proving it is a recent spontaneous material failure matching recalls SC283/SC306, not old accident damage.

Filed Feb 10, 2023 · Engine, Steering · 29,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, he depressed the accelerator pedal to change lanes and heard an abnormal knocking noise sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the knocking sound occurred whenever the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine rod bearings needed to be replaced. The contact was informed by the independent mechanic that the failure could be related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). Additionally, the contact reported that he had also experienced failures with the loss of power steering functionality, but the failure was intermittent. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000. The contact stated that the manufacturer was notified but that they would not diagnose the vehicle without charge. The vehicle was checked by two different tire specialists. All of the tires were replaced.

Filed Jul 10, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · OH

Car shuts down while driving. ABS and traction control light comes on, cruise control shuts off, power steering light comes on and no power steering, screens and radio stop working, no a/c or heat, car finally completely shuts down.

Filed Oct 6, 2021 · Electrical · ID

Driving down a country road at night when my abs light came on. After a few seconds my power steering went out and the main console died. The headlights began to dim and the dashboard lights sputtered on and off. The car shuttered strongly and then died. We were stuck on the side of the road in the middle of the night for over forty five minutes with a screaming infant with no warning that this was going to happen or that this part needed to be serviced or replaced for the milage of my car (90,000).

Filed Jul 20, 2021 · Steering · NY

2014 Kia Forte 1.8l steering is very hard or stiff to rotate especially from right to left when driving at more than 20 mph rendering lane change on roads and expressways very dangerous, and simply maneuvering steering very difficult. It feels like steering is jamming or being stuck. Besides hear a click sound from the steering even when car is stationary. Started experiencing hard steering problem at the end of June 2021.

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 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 Sep 15, 2020 · Engine · 74,000 miles · CA

I woke up one day and went to head over to my buddies house. It was a fifteen minute drive and when I got there I told him my car started sounding funny on the way over. The oil was good and everything else so we took it for a drive down the street so he could listen to it. We got to the light a half mile down the house and the engine made a scratching noise and I started to lose power I also felt my steering wheel lose power steering and then I was at the front of the row in the turn lane. My car crawled through the intersection but I made it to the side of the street and my parents towed it home on their trailer. We took it to an auto shop and the mechanic said the engine failed due to cheap stock bearings around the cam. The bearings gave out and the metal shredded inside and was sent through the engine. Since it's pre owned I can't get a new engine and this specific engine in this make and model hasn't been recalled yet.

Filed Aug 20, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 93,000 miles · WA

Kia,hyundai theta 2.4 engine failure, under 100k miles. I have a 2012 kia forte hatch sx with the 2.4 engine. I purchased it from sunset kia of auburn valley wa with 66,000 miles not quite 3 years ago. In that time I've put about 30k miles on the car. I've had the oil changed regularly, and it has never been low. Last week, on august 11, 2019, while driving to work the engine seized on the highway. I lost power steering and brake assist. I was able to pull off the road without causing an accident, but only because of the time of day. Had it happened during heavier traffic a significant accident could have occurred. From online research it appears that this is a common problem for this car and others that that use the same theta ii engine. This car/engine should be recalled.