• September 25, 2023BrakesPark outside

  HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire

  NHTSA campaign 23V-652 · 1,730,192 vehicles potentially affected · Service brakes, hydraulic

  The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

  The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

  The remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

• June 1, 2018Air bags

  Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled

  NHTSA campaign 18V-363 · 507,587 vehicles potentially affected · Air bags

  The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.

  The risk: If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

  The remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.

• February 5, 2016Power train

  Transmission Cooler Hose may Leak Fluid

  NHTSA campaign 16V-070 · 10,240 vehicles potentially affected · Power train

  The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Forte vehicles manufactured August 27, 2010, to November 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly manufactured, resulting in a transmission fluid leak.

  The risk: If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.

  The remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission cooler hose, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC129.

Check by VIN

A campaign rarely covers every Forte built in 2011. Enter your 17-character VIN to find the recall campaigns filed for your make, model and model year. The VIN is on the driver’s side of the dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the door-jamb label, and on your registration and insurance documents.

Vehicle identification number Find my recalls

Is a recall still open on your vehicle? Only NHTSA’s official VIN check can say whether a campaign applies to your exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been done.

Copy VIN and open NHTSA.gov

Your VIN is decoded with NHTSA’s public vPIC service to identify the make, model and year. It is not stored and is not added to any page address.

Other Kia Forte model years

• 2021 2
• 2019 2
• 2018 3
• 2017 3
• 2016 1
• 2015 1
• 2014 3
• 2012 4
• 2010 3

Common questions

Does the 2011 Kia Forte have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 campaigns for the 2011 Kia Forte: 23V-652 (HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire); 18V-363 (Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled); 16V-070 (Transmission Cooler Hose may Leak Fluid).

How do I know if my 2011 Kia Forte has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup. Most campaigns cover only part of a model year’s production, and the lookup also shows whether the repair has already been done on your vehicle.

Is it safe to drive the 2011 Kia Forte?

Campaign 23V-652 carries a “park outside” advisory. If your VIN is included in that campaign, follow the advisory until the repair is done.