Car · Kia recalls
2011 Kia Forte recalls
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2011 Kia Forte, filed between February 5, 2016 and September 25, 2023. Each one is below with what is wrong and the free fix.
Stop-driving notice. 1 campaign below carries a "do not drive" or "park outside" advice from the maker. Read those first and call a dealer.
| Campaign | Filed | Part |
|---|---|---|
| 23V652000 | September 25, 2023 | Service brakes, hydraulic: control unit/module |
| 18V363000 | June 1, 2018 | Air bags: air bag/restraint control module |
| 16V070000 | February 5, 2016 | Power train: cooling unit and lines |
Service brakes, hydraulic: control unit/module (23V652000)
Filed September 25, 2023 · Park outside
What is wrong. 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 could 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.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module (18V363000)
Filed June 1, 2018
What is wrong. 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 could 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.
Power train: cooling unit and lines (16V070000)
Filed February 5, 2016
What is wrong. 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.
What could happen. 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 fix. 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 that your car is on the list
Most campaigns cover only cars built in a certain date range or at a certain plant, so a 2011 Kia Forte may or may not be included. The VIN is the only sure test. It is 17 characters, on the dashboard by the windshield and on the driver door jamb sticker. Look up your VIN.
How to confirm the repair is free
- Call any authorized Kia dealer service desk and give them the VIN and the campaign number from the list above.
- Ask them to confirm the campaign is open for your car. If it is, the parts and labor are covered.
- If the dealer says the part is not in stock, ask for a written note with the date, and ask about a loaner if the notice says not to drive the car.
- Keep the repair order. It shows the campaign number and proves the work was done.
If you already paid for a repair that a recall later covered, Kia may owe you a refund. Ask the dealer or Kia customer service about reimbursement, and keep your receipts.
Other model years of the Forte
- 2023 (3)
- 2022 (1)
- 2021 (2)
- 2019 (2)
- 2018 (3)
- 2017 (3)
- 2016 (1)
- 2015 (1)
- 2014 (3)
- 2013 (5)
- 2012 (4)
- 2010 (3)
- All years
More: all Kia recalls, check-engine codes, car repair costs.
2011 Kia Forte recall questions
How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Forte have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2011 Kia Forte. A campaign can cover only some cars of that model year, so check your VIN to see whether yours is included.
Is a recall repair on a 2011 Kia Forte free?
Yes. A safety recall repair is free at an authorized Kia dealer, whatever the age or mileage of the car and no matter who owns it now.
How do I know if my 2011 Kia Forte was already fixed?
Enter the VIN on our recall page. If a campaign is still open, it shows as open. You can also ask a dealer to run the VIN, or look at the service history paperwork for the campaign number.
Source: NHTSA recalls API, checked 2026-10-28. Text is NHTSA's wording of each campaign. New campaigns are added over time. Not a repair shop, estimates only.