# Kia Forte coolant temperature warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 19 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (4) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 19 owner complaints about the coolant temperature warning light on the Kia Forte (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (4). There is **1 recall** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Stop driving: No. ## Kia Forte coolant temperature warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the coolant temperature light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 4 | 262 | 2% | | 2016 | 2 | 138 | 1% | | 2017 | 3 | 305 | 1% | | 2018 | 1 | 136 | 1% | | 2019 | 2 | 150 | 1% | | 2020 | 3 | 78 | 4% | | 2021 | 2 | 69 | 3% | | 2022 | 2 | 28 | 7% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Kia Forte recalls related to the coolant temperature warning light **[21V260000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V260000)** (2017-2018 models, reported 2021-04-13): A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Kia Forte owners report - "The battery and high engine temperature warning lights illuminated before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and diagnosed with engine damage due to the overheating caused by a faulty engine pulley bolt. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not..." -- owner of a 2022 Kia Forte, complaint filed 2022 - "Transmission overheating and dragging... weird smell and noise and scrubbing sound when turning the steering wheel. Only 50k miles on car" -- owner of a 2021 Kia Forte, complaint filed 2024 - "Also coolant light came on over the dash and the coolant was low with less than 9k miles. Car is less than 1 year old and has less than 10k miles." -- owner of a 2020 Kia Forte, complaint filed 2021 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the coolant temperature warning light means A red coolant temperature light means the engine is overheating or about to. The most common cause is low coolant from a leak, followed by a stuck thermostat, a failed radiator fan, and a worn water pump. Pull over and shut the engine off as soon as it is safe, because continued driving can warp the cylinder head and destroy the engine. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low coolant from a leak** (most common) 2. **Thermostat stuck closed** (common) 3. **Radiator fan not working** (common) 4. **Failing water pump or broken belt** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Coolant temperature warning light](/warning-lights/coolant-temperature). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Kia Forte coolant temperature light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (21V260000) covering 2017-2018 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Kia Forte years have the most coolant temperature light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2020 Forte model years have the most complaints mentioning the coolant temperature warning light, with 4 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia Forte with the coolant temperature light on? Stop driving. No. Stop driving as soon as it is safe and shut the engine off. Driving an overheating engine even a few miles can cause damage that costs thousands of dollars to repair. ### How do I check if my Kia Forte has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kia dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Kia Forte warning lights - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-forte): 19 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-forte): 10 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-forte): 13 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-forte): 184 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-forte): 54 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-forte): 9 complaints ## Coolant temperature warning light on other models - [Ford Escape](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-escape): 1520 complaints - [Ford Edge](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-edge): 752 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-explorer): 222 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/honda-accord): 193 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/jeep-wrangler): 143 complaints - [Nissan Rogue](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/nissan-rogue): 140 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/chrysler-pacifica): 139 complaints - [Kia Sorento](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-sorento): 138 complaints - [Jeep Compass](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/jeep-compass): 112 complaints - [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-soul): 110 complaints ## Kia Forte - [Kia Forte specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-forte) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-forte Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.