2014 Kia Forte Koup: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
441 NHTSA owner complaints · 2 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Kia Forte Koup has no year with an AVOID verdict, but the 2014 car, with 441 complaints and a score of 56, is the one to treat with caution, and the 2016 car, with 137 complaints, no recalls and a score of 91, is the one to buy. The 2011 car (161 complaints, score 87) and the 2013 and 2015 cars (211 and 258, both scoring 78) are sound too. Read the full note on the model page. 2014 specifically: 441 complaints on record, score 56/100 — read the year table on the model page to see where it sits among its siblings.
Read the guide
Used Kia Forte and Hyundai Veloster: the years to avoid, including 2014 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 441 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 36.75
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
There is a bad flexible steering coupler. Caused steering wheel to click and lose responsiveness, shakes going over bumps. The problem was diagnosed and confirmed by the dealer Vehicle was inspected by dealer There were no warning signs other than the wheel click and losing responsiveness.
I was getting into my car when I noticed that it was full of smoke, I then opened my hood and trunk. My trunk was on fire from a wire that had came down. I was only about to pull it out and put it out. Insurance said it will most likely be deemed a total loss.
Engine smoking when started up engine has oil in it scared to move vehicle because I have no idea if it’s going to catch fire or anything
Recalls: 2 campaigns (1 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 17V773000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages | 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. |
| 20V750000 | Engine | 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 it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 25 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,450
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine215 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Steering63 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Air Bags62 complaints · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$600–$1,700
- Electrical System57 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other50 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Service Brakes28 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
Other Kia Forte Koup years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2014 Kia Forte Koup?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (215 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2014 Kia Forte Koup a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 56/100, computed from 441 NHTSA complaints and 2 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2014 Kia Forte Koup's most common problem?
215 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2014 Kia Forte Koup sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2014 Kia Forte Koup cost to run per year?
About $5,428 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $27,140 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2014 Kia Forte Koup have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for the 2014 Kia Forte Koup, 1 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 01/12/2017. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compacts of about the same age.
What will a 2014 Kia Forte Koup really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 441 complaints, 2 recalls on record
- 441 NHTSA complaints on record (36.8/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (19.0/yr)
- 2 recall campaigns, 1 touching safety-critical systems