Kia Forte steering lock-up problems

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Electrical · AZ

Electrical system failed while operating vehicle on major highway. All lights flashed, system shut off, power steering locked up.

Filed Apr 24, 2026 · Steering · 150,000 miles · TX · crash

The contact owned a 2021 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the steering wheel locked independently, causing the vehicle to veer off the road into a construction site. The contact stated that the air bags did deploy. The contact stated that she sustained noise and neck injuries, including placenta rupture, causing early labor. Medical attention was required. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Dec 10, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

the federal safety agency safety recall 23V652000 addresses this defect with my vehicle, but the manufacturer has provided no credible or valid solution that positively remedies the vehicle defect. I am horrified of driving my vehicle since reading about the fire hazard that exists. Preliminary findings provided by Kia confirm the HECU/ABS module may leak brake fluid due to a faulty seal. Leaking fluid can come in contact with an adjacent multi-pin electrical connector, igniting the brake fluid and quickly leading to an engine fire. Kia has also stated a permanent solution is not yet available, while only issuing an interim recall. Furthermore, the proposed replacement part, consisting of a fuse, is unavailable for now. I am confused and frustrated with this solution. How will a fuse remedy a leaking brake fluid defect, which is the primary fault? This unacceptable action is a flagrant example of Kia's painfully slow and inadequate response to a serious defect. Drivers of affected vehicles are forced to endure aggravation, exasperation and much anxiety during the long wait for a repair. Already, my vehicle is on a list of models identified by Kia to have been manufactured without immobilizer modules. Kia has done nothing about remedying my immobilizer problem beyond providing a steering wheel locking device, which my auto insurance has deemed as insufficient and subsequently raised my premium. Lastly, my well-maintained vehicle, with only 28,570 miles on the odometer, may also be affected by the familiar Theta engine design manufacturing defect in the crankshaft bearings that fail and indirectly cause a connecting rod to break. The broken connecting rod then smashes through the engine block, hot engine oil spills out and onto the neighboring exhaust manifold. The end result is a raging engine compartment fire. Kia has never contacted me about this defect.

Filed Jul 25, 2023 · IN

I have a 2020 KIA FORTE that had a recall on the Security System, yet it is NOT listed on this or any other sites. I did receive a letter and I did the UPDATED Security install with Kia Community Service of Bloomington Indiana where I purchased it new in 2020. The Tic Tock Challenge that has been going around did NOT have my VIN number listed nor was any other FORTE'S but MINE WAS A TARGET on 7/23/2023 as I was parked in front of a home I was at. They were able to get into my LOCKED Kia with a Screw driver and tore everything out of it looking for a USB cable that I never leave in there and since they couldn't find this used a screwdriver they pried the door open with to destroy my under dash area along with totally destroying the ignition leaving it inoperable and stealing a container of change. I feel the KIA FORTE was a target in these videos as well yet we were left out of the information on these silly things and were NOT included in the settlement. I am requesting a steering wheel lock free of charge because of this ! As a consumer we ALL pay for safety features and this I feel should have been passed on to us sooner. I have my car now in another City and have to go through so much because of something I was UNAWARE of because KIA did NOT have us down for the recall. I have to park outside a lot and for added protection would be so appreciative of the steering wheel lock. This happened to me in Indianapolis Indiana and they are participating and giving out Free steering wheel locks to Kia owners BUT you have to live there and bring your registration.I have contacted our Local law enforcement and we are NOT doing this in Bloomington Indiana, but they are in Indianapolis Indiana where my car was broke into. I was told to contact My Kia Community Center in Bloomington and they don't have any and they told me to contact Kia Consumer affairs . This has been a nightmare as Seniors we are a fixed income and I have to be in Indianapolis very frequently. Please help

Filed Feb 19, 2023 · Airbags, Engine · GA · fire

The car had a slow ticking noise that was very faint in the front for about 20 minutes 20 minutes later the noise continue to get louder about 45 minutes later six gear was lost in the car in about an hour and a half later the engine failed and the car Came to a failure lock down procedure all lights on the front door shut on steering wheel locked on friendship Road exit 8 and the vehicle had to be towed to a shop we’re now it was put on a lift and there is a hole in the bottom of the engine , And the transmission is not in tact

Filed Jan 2, 2023 · Steering · LA

My husband was driving down a street going roughly 45 miles an hour and all of a sudden there was a jerking feeling and the steering wheel locked up on him and he could no manage the direction that the car would go.yes it is available for inspection upon request. The steering and the direction of the car going 45. miles an hour definitely endangered us that was in the car and those that were on the road at the approximate time that we were. There was only 42000 miles on the car and we had only had it 58 days. We had it towed to the dealership Kia Nissan in Monroe La. And was told that it would cost 2000 to fix. So I then had it towed to another mechanic and got a completely different story. that the car had been wrecked before even though it didn’t show on the Carfax and they were there was ways to tell it and also told that rack and pinion‘s don’t break usually until 220 300,000 miles. I spent every penny I had saved after losing everything in hurricane Laura to buy this car. Not only do I feel very lied to by the dealership that I bought it from and misinformed and uninformed a certain issues that would’ve prevented me from buying a car on top of that I’m paying 24% interest rate and now they want to increase the interest rate because the car is broke down and they had to defer some payments because I can’t get to work because I don’t have a vehicle. I’ve had Kia check out the car and I’ve had two other mechanics check out the car and both of them told me separate stories different problems different prices and I need some help establishing where is the fault lies. Because I don’t think I should be responsible for a injury to a car or is it something that broke on its own and almost endangered our lives when the car had only been driven 42,000 miles. There was absolutely no warning signs no flashes of light no nothing to warn of this problem it happened out of nowhere and it was very scary and not rush I wanna keep the car anymore because I was scary.

Filed Jul 26, 2021 · Steering · WA

On June 18, 2021 our vehicle was taken to the West Hills Kia located in Bremerton, WA for routine maintenance. During this visit, we reported a sound coming from the steering wheel and indicated that the sound was loud and wanted it inspected. The technician reported this as follows: MR 10DIAG: Diagnose Customer Concern Customer states when turning the steering wheel, it sounds like something is being wound up. The Technician, Michael Moore (102) verified the noise confirming that it was coming from the Output Shaft Bearing area of the Steering Column Housing. The Technician also indicated that this issue required a tech line case with Kia for approval. I have called West Hills Kia's Service Department on: June 25th, 2021, June 30th, 2021, July 7th, 2021, July 22nd, 2021 and again today, July 26th, 2021 to check on the status of this approval to no avail. On June 30th, 2021 and July 22nd, 2021, I left 2 voice messages for their Service Department Manager, Jay also without a return call. I have called Kia Consumer directly on July 5th, 2021, July 6th, 2021 and July 7th, 2021. Each time, the wait times have been greater than 30 minutes and after holding, I have been hung up on. Today, on my drive home, the steering wheel locked up and would not let me turn the steering wheel. Considering that the vehicle is still under warranty and an issue like this could cause an accident or even irreparable damage, we do not feel safe driving this vehicle. We would like this matter resolved ASAP.

Filed Jan 25, 2019 · Airbags, Seat belts · 46,000 miles · AZ · crash · 2 injuries

Accelerating between 35mph and 45mph, steering wheel locked causing loss of control of vehicle. Driver let off gas and attempted brakes which did not engage. Vehicle struck guardrail on front passenger side. Vehicle then did a 180, driver side door then collided with the guardrail. Driver seatbelt did not lock, no airbags deployed. Driver sustained minor injuries including whiplash and head injury. Vehicle was traveling down a 2 lane city road. Vehicle had 46,000 miles and was just serviced by kia dealer.

Filed Jan 20, 2019 · Airbags, Brakes · 108,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

The steering wheel locked onto one side, I could not regain control of the vehicle as the brakes stopped working as well and it made a u-turn onto the same street I was driving on, hitting the curb, rolling over. I was found upside down in my car unconscious from the crash because my air bags did not deploy.

Filed Nov 12, 2018 · Steering · 80,000 miles · NC

When turning sharply like pulling into a parking space the steering wheel locks up for a few seconds