Recall 15V015 affects 86,880 2014 Kia Forte vehicles for an overheating cooling fan resistor. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 86,880 2014 Forte vehicles because the cooling fan resistor can overheat and melt. That failure increases the risk of a vehicle fire, and Kia dealers will complete the free recall repair for included VINs.
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What's wrong?
The cooling fan resistor in a 2014 Kia Forte is part of the electrical system that helps control the radiator cooling fan. When the engine heats up, the fan pulls air through the radiator, and the resistor helps manage the fan's electrical load so the cooling system can keep engine temperature under control.
On affected Fortes with 1.8L and 2.0L engines, the cooling fan resistor can overheat. When that part gets too hot, it can melt instead of staying stable under normal operating heat. Kia's repair uses a replacement resistor with higher heat resistance.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not count on a dashboard light, fan noise, or another clear symptom to identify this defect before the resistor overheats.
Who's affected?
| 2014 Kia Forte | electrical system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 86,880 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.
What's the safety risk?
An overheated cooling fan resistor can melt and increase the risk of a vehicle fire. Treat this as a fire risk, not a routine service item. Schedule the recall repair soon and ask the dealer what to do if the vehicle has electrical or cooling system trouble before your appointment. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014 Kia Forte is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free repair for the overheating cooling fan resistor issue.
- Ask the dealer which repair applies to your Forte: multi-fuse unit replacement, cooling fan resistor replacement, or the 1.8L engine control unit software update.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia sent one. If not, reference recall number 15V015 and Kia recall SC113 when you call.
- Avoid unnecessary driving until the repair is complete because an overheated cooling fan resistor increases the risk of fire.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician replaces the cooling fan resistor and multi-fuse unit on 2014 Forte vehicles built from December 5, 2012 to January 27, 2014. For vehicles built from January 28, 2014 to April 17, 2014, the technician replaces the multi-fuse unit only. Fortes with a 1.8L engine also receive an engine control unit software update. The recall repair is free. If you've already paid for this repair, Kia's General Reimbursement Plan covers eligible repair expenses already incurred. Bring your repair paperwork and proof of payment to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 16, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 17, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| February 20, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 20, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 24, 2015 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 24, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V015?
Recall 15V015 covers 86,880 2014 Kia Forte vehicles with a cooling fan resistor that can overheat and melt. If that happens, the vehicle fire risk increases. Kia dealers replace the affected electrical parts for free based on the vehicle build date and engine.
What should I do if my 2014 Kia Forte is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Forte is included in recall 15V015. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer and reference recall number 15V015 or Kia recall SC113. The dealer repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Kia's remedy says dealers perform the covered repair free of charge. The exact parts replaced depend on the Forte's production date and engine.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is vehicle fire. Kia reported that the cooling fan resistor can overheat and melt, which increases fire risk. Until the recall repair is complete, confirm your VIN and ask the Kia dealer for guidance if you notice electrical odor, smoke, or heat near the front of the vehicle.
What if I bought my Kia Forte used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Forte is included, then call a franchised Kia dealer with recall number 15V015 or Kia recall SC113.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V015000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V015 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V015000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →