Kia Forte Koup Recalls

NHTSA has issued 5 safety recalls for the Kia Forte Koup, covering model years 2010 through 2017. Brake faults account for 2 of them, more than any other part of the vehicle. The 2013 model year has the most, with 4 separate campaigns against it. The largest single recall covered 1,730,192 vehicles. The most recent was reported to NHTSA on September 25, 2023.

Urgent safety advisory on the Kia Forte Koup

One recall below tells owners to park outside and away from buildings, because the vehicle can catch fire while parked and switched off.

Check your own VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether these apply to your car.

Total recalls: 5
Model years affected: 7
Most recalled part: Brake
Latest recall: 2023

Kia Forte Koup recalls by model year

How many campaigns were issued against each model year. One recall often covers several years at once, so these add up to more than the 5 total.

20171 recall20151 recall20142 recalls20134 recalls20124 recalls20112 recalls20102 recalls

All Kia Forte Koup recalls

Each entry is an official NHTSA campaign, shown with the defect, consequence, and remedy exactly as the manufacturer reported them, newest first.

23V652000BrakeReported September 25, 2023

NHTSA advises: park outside, away from buildingsAffected vehicles can catch fire even when parked and switched off. Keep the vehicle away from structures until it is repaired.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Model years affected: 2010–2013

The problem

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.

What can happen

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

The fix

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.

Vehicles affected: 1,730,192
Maker's recall no.: SC284
Owners notified: March 29, 2024

Read campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

22V031000AirbagReported January 25, 2022

AIR BAGS

Model years affected: 2017

The problem

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

What can happen

Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

The fix

Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.

Vehicles affected: 410,619
Maker's recall no.: SC226
Owners notified: March 21, 2022

Read campaign 22V031000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

20V750000Reported December 2, 2020

ENGINE

Model years affected: 2012–2015

The problem

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

What can happen

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

The fix

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.

Vehicles affected: 294,756
Maker's recall no.: SC200
Owners notified: January 25, 2021

Read campaign 20V750000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

18V363000AirbagReported June 1, 2018

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

Model years affected: 2010–2013

The problem

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.

What can happen

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 fix

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.

Vehicles affected: 507,587
Maker's recall no.: SC165
Owners notified: September 28, 2018

Read campaign 18V363000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

17V773000BrakeReported December 1, 2017

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Model years affected: 2012–2014

The problem

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.

What can happen

If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

The fix

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC158.

Vehicles affected: 134,366
Maker's recall no.: SC158
Owners notified: January 30, 2018

Read campaign 17V773000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

What to do if your Kia Forte Koup is on this list

A recall listed here applies to a range of vehicles, not to every car of that model year. Manufacturers narrow it down by build date and VIN, so the only way to know whether yours is included is to check the VIN. You can do that free on NHTSA's recall lookup, or by calling any franchised dealer for that brand with your VIN in hand.

Recall repairs are free. Under federal law the manufacturer has to fix a safety defect at no charge, and there is no mileage limit and no expiry on that obligation for vehicles under 15 years old. A dealer cannot charge you for the parts, the labour, or the diagnosis on a recall repair, and you do not need to have bought the car there. If a dealer asks you to pay, that is worth escalating to the manufacturer's customer line, which is listed in the remedy text of each recall above.

Recalls do not block a title transfer or registration in any state. You can legally buy, sell, or register a car with an open recall, and sellers are generally not required to fix one first. That said, an open recall is worth raising before money changes hands, especially one with a do-not-drive advisory. If you are buying, run the VIN before you hand over the payment; if you are selling, telling the buyer about an open recall costs you nothing and avoids a dispute later.

Kia Forte Koup recall questions

How many recalls does the Kia Forte Koup have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the Kia Forte Koup across model years 2010 to 2017. That count covers recalls filed from 2010 onward. Not every campaign applies to every car of that model year, because manufacturers limit recalls by build date and VIN.

Which Kia Forte Koup model year has the most recalls?

The 2013 Kia Forte Koup carries the most, with 4 recall campaigns. A high count does not automatically mean a worse car: a single supplier fault can trigger a recall across an entire production run, and manufacturers that report problems quickly tend to show more campaigns.

Are Kia Forte Koup recall repairs free?

Yes. Federal law requires the manufacturer to repair a safety recall at no cost, including parts and labour, on vehicles under 15 years old. There is no mileage limit, and you do not have to be the original owner or have bought the car from that dealer.

Can I sell or register a Kia Forte Koup with an open recall?

Yes. An open recall does not stop a title transfer or registration in any state, and private sellers are generally not required to repair one first. Dealers face stricter rules on some safety recalls. If you are buying, check the VIN before you pay; the repair is free, but you want to know what you are taking on.

Other Kia recalls

Kia Sorento recalls38 Kia Sportage recalls23 Kia Telluride recalls19 Kia Forte recalls18 Kia Optima recalls18 Kia Soul recalls15

Where this data comes from

Every recall on this page is published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the federal agency that oversees vehicle safety recalls in the United States. We pull the full recall file from NHTSA and reproduce the campaign number, defect description, consequence, and remedy exactly as the manufacturer reported them. NHTSA data is in the public domain.

Source:: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
NHTSA data as of:: July 18, 2026
Coverage:: Recalls from 2010 onward

Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov ↗

Buying or selling this car?

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Last reviewed: 2026-07-18 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Independent resource · Not legal advice

⚠ Independent resource — check your VIN before actingCar Paperwork is not affiliated with NHTSA, any manufacturer, or any dealer. This page lists recalls issued for a model, which is not the same as a recall on your car: only a VIN check confirms that. Recall records are also updated by NHTSA continuously, so treat this as a starting point and confirm anything urgent with NHTSA or a franchised dealer. Nothing here is legal or repair advice.