Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2020 | 4 | 5% | 5,000 miles |
| 2019 | 7 | 5% | 17,000 miles |
| 2018 | 10 | 7% | 10,000 miles |
| 2017 | 17 | 6% | 40,000 miles |
| 2016 | 14 | 10% | 11,000 miles |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% | 20,000 miles |
| 2014 | 14 | 3% | 102,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2012 | 14 | 5% | 25,000 miles |
| 2011 | 10 | 6% | 45,000 miles |
| 2010 | 9 | 4% | 70,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Car took off. Zoomed. Out of control, my safety was put at risk since car speeded off. No one else safety was at risk since no one was around. The car is currently at a collision shop. Car has been inspected by insurance and being fixed. No warning signs and air bags did not come out.
While I am driving it is hard shifting and idling high, sometimes it doesn't want to pick up speed when starting from a stop. The wheels locked up going down a off ramp. There are no warning lights or anything on the dash. I will have it checked Monday but this started out of the blue. I have had regular maintenance on the vehicle and have all my receipts for proof. This is a serious issue especially with the wheels not functioning right and speed control is fluctuating.
February 1st 2026, I done my oil change. My car was running fine. No check engine light was on or anything, my forward collision warning started disabling itself when I always kept it on. When I try to accelerate my vehicle it would take a while to accelerate. March 7th 2026, while I was driving, my car quit while it was still running. It also quit the same day again just in park. March 8th 2026, I went to take my vehicle to get a diagnostics and when leaving my home. My car stalled out and quit while in drive. After taking my vehicle to the mechanic, the mechanic reported to me my car had no oil in my car and my motor was fried. I have had the vehicle less than a year and it's giving me all of these issues
I am writing to inform you of an incident which occurred on Friday January 25, 2019 at approximately 2:40 pm while my son was operating his 2019 Kia Forte. The weather that day was sunny and clear and the road was dry and level. 1.my son was traveling north in the right lane of the seaford oyster bay expressway (ny-135) at normal highway speed. 2.as he approached exit 13e he began to decelerate engaged his right turn signal and entered the exit lane for exit 13e. 3.as he attempted to bear to the right and exit the highway the vehicles lane keeping assist system was pulling him to the left back towards the highway. 4.as he fought to turn the wheel to right to stay on the exit he entered the hashed section of roadway between the exit and the highway. …
Started my car it was making a tapping noise. I tried driving home the noise got worse and my car didn't want to accelerate very much. I noticed a recall for other 2018 Kia fortes as mine is doing exactly what others are but my car isn't included in the recall. I think the recall outlook is bigger than imagined.
ABS light, parking break light, tire pressure light, ESC light, and outdoor temperature and climate control all flicker and the speedometer stops working. Multiple cars with same make and model have same issue and are constantly in and out of the dealer with the issue unresolved.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the catalytic converter was clogged. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under a class-action lawsuit extended warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
I've had it looked at by a Kia dealership and they said I let it run out of oil and burned up my engine. My ASC warranty won't cover it. I had no idea. I've got proof from Valvoline where I always get my oil changes and proves I did it regularly. I had no oil leak signs on the pavement. Your recall #SC210 which I just found out about talks about exactly what happened to me. I really don't think it was my fault and it should be covered. I had no indication that something was wrong till this happened. I've had no problems since I bought the car in November 2021till now.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Forte years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (17), 2012 (14), 2014 (14), 2016 (14) and 2011 (10) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Kia Forte acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Kia Forte model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Kia Forte acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles; 64% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (3 mentions).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.