2021 Kia Forte

This car was sold to me without disclosing that the manufacture failed to have a engine security system on the car to at least "deter" auto theft.If the key to the car was programmed/chipped like other cars, it would provide at least some level of protection. I've already stopped car thieves from trying to steal it once by pure luck, but I'm like the thousands out there constantly worried that someone's going to try to take it in lieu of the social media challenges.The horrible settlement that out government gave us was to upgrade the software which provides NO help with deterring thieves from breaking in and trying to steal it.The reimbursement provided in the settlement is complete joke, and doesn't offer to properly repair or reimburse for after-market security systems.This is evident from the fact that insurance companies still won't insure this car, even after the software upgrade. The insurance companies are telling me that they still won't insure the car even with upgrade because it doesn't stop thieves from breaking into the car and causing comprehensive damage to the car.I can only find a few insurance companies that will insure the car, and the premium cost is twice as much as I pay to insure a car that's worth twice as much money! If our government or NHTSA was truly concerned, they would have demanded that the manufacture make significant change to the ignition/engine starter, i.e., changing out the ignition switch system with a programmed/chipped key, and/or engine starter kill without said key. If the manufacture and the government made this change a required "recall" to properly fix and advertised it nationwide, THEN thieves would at least be less inclined to cause damage, and insurance companies would feel more comfortable about taking the risk. This ongoing expense/problem for me has me seriously considering if anyone in my family should every purchase another KIA/Hyundai product again. Stand behind your product with some INTEGRITY.

The issue I’m having was confirmed by the dealership so when I drive on the highway, there’s a specific patch of highway that zigzags the car will follow that zigzag after getting off of the highway onto regular road. The car computer system will start a down shift erratically and feel like the car is pulling backwards. Also there is a lack of acceleration and it feels like the transmission is slipping, but I have confirmed with the dealership that the transmission was not slipping that the computer was shifting erratically. They would reset the computer and the car would would begin driving in a more normal state shifting correctly. I get on the highway again. The car once again will start shifting erratic. When you let go of the gas, the car downshift so many times that the car almost comes to a complete stop without hitting the brakes. The dealership has the car once again trying to figure out what’s going on with the car and why when I go on the highway the computer starts shifting erratically on that specific patch of highway. The car will pull left and right the entire time once you get off the highway the erratic shifting happens the dealership let me borrow a car which is a 2025 Kia Sorrento went on the highway with the car and had the same exact issue. The car they let me borrow is also downshifting erratically and feels like the transmission is slipping. The dealership did confirm that the car was not driving as intended, and they were confused as to why it was happening. They’ve also confirmed that the test that they’ve done on the car itself. had not passed prior to them resetting the computer.

The rental vehicle, a Kia Forte, was provided by a major rental company without addressing the critical anti-theft system vulnerability identified in manufacturer recall CS2305C. This recall was issued in early 2023, approximately one year before the rental date. The vehicle was stolen on April 11, 2024, using the known vulnerability method affecting the steering column and ignition system. The theft occurred despite normal security measures, demonstrating the effectiveness of the exploit that the recall was designed to prevent. Safety Concerns: Rental company knowingly provided vehicle without performing mandatory safety recall service Anti-theft system vulnerability made vehicle susceptible to theft without traditional forced entry Steering column security system failed to prevent unauthorized vehicle operation No warning indicators were present to alert the renter of this safety deficiency Vehicle Status: Theft reported to police and rental company immediately Vehicle was recovered by law enforcement Insurance company has documented the incident Rental company acknowledged the theft but might be continuing rental operations without addressing recall Severity of Safety Risk: Vehicle could be stolen without specialized tools or expertise Known vulnerability puts both renters and public at risk Lack of proper security systems creates hazard of vehicle theft while occupied Unaddressed recall demonstrates systemic safety oversight failure The rental company's maintenance records would confirm that recall service was never performed despite adequate notice period. This incident represents a broader safety concern about rental fleet compliance with critical safety recalls. Police reports, insurance documentation, and rental company correspondence available for investigation upon request. Rental company's response confirms their awareness of the theft incident and their failure to address the known safety defect. NO PRIOR WARNING INDICATORS

I purchased this care new, and the manufacture did not disclose that the vehicle was NOT made with an engine immobilizer, or any theft prevention outside a basic door lock. (Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, No. 8:22-ML-3052 JVS(KESx) (C.D. Cal.). I've already stopped the theft once and scared away the thief's, but now I can't find insurance companies to insure the vehicle. The 2 companies that I did find for insurance, charge 15% of the value of the vehicle for comprehensive and collision coverage. Even with the useless class action lawsuit settlement to upgrade the software, this is NOT stopping the thieves from breaking into the cars, and NOT impressing the insurance companies either as they won't insure this expensive asset. I've never seen so much deception in the automotive industry. The government should mandate a recall to install a KIA or aftermarket security system in this car with a starter kill & visual blinking lights to stop the theft. They should also be required to make national awareness messages to communicate that all affected vehicles will have security systems installed and theft will no longer be possible. This would STOP the problems and continuing extreme costs to the customers.

My Kia forte 21 that I owned for less than 2 years, stalled out while driving on 20 April 23. The engine light came on. I checked the oil and there was none , despite having regular maintenance being performed. No light indicators appeared informing me that my vehicle had no oil left. My vehicle had 21,234 miles when the engine failed. Kia has yet to contact me or assist me with this matter. I could’ve possibly died while driving on the highway and my car randomly stalling out.

My vehicle was stolen and recovered a couple of days later. The only damage to the vehicle is a broken window and broken ignition dash Currently trending is the Kia challenge where vehicles from 2011-2021 are missing tan anti-theft feature that makes it an easier target to steal. Kia is aware of this and not doing anything about this, not even sending a letter advising their customer of this trend and how we can protect our vehicles. The vehicles need to be recalled because currently millions of customers are driving a vehicle that can be stolen at any time with something as basic as a USB cable. Kia needs to take responsibility and accountability for this major flaw. Now customers have to be left dealing with the insurance and proving to them they are not involved in their own vehicle thefts. I have police report number, still waiting for the actual police report.

1.Vehicle on spots of highway will apply the forward collision warning system and suddenly brake that may cause a collision with vehicle behind it. 2. Theft is sweeping the nation for Kia/Hyundai vehicles and this vehicle is a target. Hyundai/Kia need to install security protocols on their product as this should have been on the product since purchase.