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Service bulletins for the 2011 Kia Forte

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

81 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Bulletins, newest first
SC141OWNERTD2017-08-02. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS. SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER LETTER - Advises Owners of certain 2011-2013 MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles currently registered in the states where heavy amounts of road salt are used of a service campaign to add additional anti-corrosion material to underbody components of vehicle.
PS4692017-08-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL. PITSTOP: MANUAL EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS TEST FOR HARD TO FIND/SMALL LEAKS - If the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is illuminated with DTC(s) P0442, P0455, P0456, or P0457 (Evaporative Emissions System-Leak detected) and the evaporative (EVAP) leak self-test resulted in NTF, a manual EVAP test is recommended.
TSB-GEN085R12017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only.
TSB-TRA0552017-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. TSB: INHIBITOR SWITCH DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION - This bulletin gives information regarding the steps to take regarding the diagnosis of the Inhibitor Switch.
TSB-GEN0852017-08-02. Service bulletin. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.?
TSB-TRA0512017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. TSB: 6 SPD A/T SOLENOID REPLACEMENT ? DTC P0741 - This bulletin provides information relating to the replacement of the Damper Clutch (D/C) Solenoid on 6-speed automatic transaxles with DTC P0741 (active or history), instead of replacing the transaxle. To reduce vehicle repair time, this procedure can be performed with the transaxle installed in the vehicle.
TSBTRA051R12017-02-17. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: 6 SPD A/T SOLENOID REPLACEMENT – MULTIPLE DTCS - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE REPLACEMENT OF VARIOUS SHIFT SOLENOIDS ON 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES WITH DTCS P0741, P0743, P0748, P0753, P0758, P0763, P0768, P0773, P1778 AND P2709. REPLACE THE SOLENOIDS IF CURRENT OR HISTORY CODES ARE PRESENT; DO NOT REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE. TO REDUCE VEHICLE REPAIR TIME, THIS PROCEDURE CAN BE PERFORMED WITH THE TRANSAXLE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. REFER TO KGIS FOR SOLENOID PACK REMOVAL AND REINSTALLATION PROCEDURES FOR THE SPECIFIC YEAR AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE.
TSB SC1292017-02-16. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE A/T COOLER HOSES IN CERTAIN 2011 MY FORTE (TD) VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM AUGUST 27, 2010 THROUGH NOVEMBER 11, 2010. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY CURED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. IF SUFFICIENT FLUID IS LOST, THE LOSS OF HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TO THE TRANSAXLE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED VEHICLE MOBILITY. TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS BULLETIN.
TSBTRA0462017-02-14. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE CORRECT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH KIA MODEL. REFER TO THE SHOP MANUAL ON KGIS FOR THE SPECIFIC KIA MODEL, THEN REFERENCE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE SYSTEM/ REPAIR PROCEDURES/ INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT SECTION FOR THE CORRECT ATF CHECK/FILL PROCEDURES.
PS266R12017-02-08. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. PITSTOP: HVAC RECEIVER/DRYER - DESICCANT REPLACEMENT - IN THE EVENT OF A HVAC SYSTEM CONCERN IN WHICH METAL PARTICLES OR SHARDS HAVE CONTAMINATED THE SYSTEM, THE DESICCANT OR THE ENTIRE A/C RECEIVER/DRYER ASSEMBLY MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE ALL METAL CONTAMINANTS FROM THE RECEIVER/DRYER DURING THE A/C FLUSHING PROCEDURE. REFER TO THE INCLUDED TABLE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON COMPONENT REPLACEMENT BY MODEL. IF YOU SUSPECT A PLUGGED EXPANSION VALVE, THE INLET SCREENS CAN BE CLEANED. IF THE VALVE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN INLET SCREEN AND IS RESTRICTED, THE EXPANSION VALVE MAY ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED.
PS2672017-02-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. PITSTOP: THERMOSTAT RE-INSTALLATION PROCEDURE - REPEAT REPAIR (DTC P0128) - WHEN DIAGNOSING A FORTE RETURNING WITH A REPEAT DTC P0128 AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE THERMOSTAT, REMOVE THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING TO VERIFY IF THE THERMOSTAT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING THE PREVIOUS REPAIR.
TSBBOD0952017-02-07. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; VISIBILITY/WIPER. TSB: WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER REPLACEMENT - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO POSSIBLE FOREIGN DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER. OVER TIME, SOME KIA VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A LIMITED APPLICATION OF WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID WHEN THE WASHER FUNCTION IS USED. LIMITED APPLICATION OF WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID CAN BE CAUSED BY FOREIGN DEBRIS ON THE WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER. TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION, REPLACE THE WASHER PUMP INLET FILTER AND PERFORM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR FLUSHING PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS TSB.
PS2742017-02-06. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. PITSTOP: ACU VARIANT CODING AFTER PARTS SUPERSESSION - KMA HAS RECEIVED REPORTS OF SOME 2011~13MY OPTIMA AND 2010~13MY FORTE VEHICLES NOT ACCEPTING THE VARIANT CODE LISTED ON KGIS, FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. IN SOME CASES, AN AIR BAG MODULE WITH A SUPERSEDED PART NUMBER MAY REQUIRE A DIFFERENT VARIANT CODE. KGIS IS BEING UPDATED IN PHASES AND WILL LIST BOTH VARIANT CODES (OLD AND NEW) IN CASE OF P/N SUPERSESSION.
TSBTRA047R12017-02-06. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: AXLE SHAFT SERVICEABILITY BY MODEL - THIS BULLETIN HAS BEEN REVISED. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION REGARDING AXLE SHAFT SERVICEABILITY FOR KIA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. REFER TO THE TABLE BELOW FOR A DETAILED LIST OF VEHICLE MODELS. INDIVIDUAL SERVICE PARTS SUCH AS AXLE BOOTS, JOINTS AND HARDWARE FOR INNER JOINT ARE NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH YOUR PARTS DEPARTMENT.
TSBTRA0492017-02-03. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: 6-SPEED A/T TRANSMISSION ADAPTIVE VALUES RESET/RELEARN - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURES NECESSARY TO RESET AND RELEARN THE ADAPTIVE VALUES AFTER TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT OR REPROGRAMMING/REPLACEMENT OF THE ECM/PCM.
PS2232017-01-31. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. PITSTOP: FORTE LOCK CONFIRMATION INOP WITH REMOTE START ACCESSORY - SOME REMOTE START EQUIPPED FORTE’S MAY NOT INDICATE THAT THE DOORS HAVE BEEN LOCKED. THE CUSTOMER MAY STATE THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT FLASH THE HAZARD LIGHTS OR SOUND THE HORN WHEN LOCKING THE DOORS WITH THE TRANSMITTER. AS DESIGNED, THE VEHICLE SHOULD FLASH THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND SOUND THE HORN AFTER PRESSING THE LOCK BUTTON TWO (2) TIMES WITHIN FIVE (5) SECONDS. IF THIS CONCERN IS OCCURRING, VERIFY IF IT IS RELATED TO THE REMOTE START CONTROL MODULE BY CHECKING THE POSITION OF THE OVERHEAD INTERIOR LIGHT SWITCH. IF THE SWITCH IS IN THE “OFF” POSITION, MOVE THE SWITCH TO THE “DOOR” POSITION AND RETEST THE SYSTEM.
TSBTRA051R12017-01-27. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM). TSB: 6 SPD A/T SOLENOID REPLACEMENT – MULTIPLE DTCS - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE REPLACEMENT OF VARIOUS SHIFT SOLENOIDS ON 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES WITH DTCS P0741, P0743, P0748, P0753, P0758, P0763, P0768, P0773, P1778 AND P2709. REPLACE THE SOLENOIDS IF CURRENT OR HISTORY CODES ARE PRESENT; DO NOT REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE. TO REDUCE VEHICLE REPAIR TIME, THIS PROCEDURE CAN BE PERFORMED WITH THE TRANSAXLE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. REFER TO KGIS FOR SOLENOID PACK REMOVAL AND REINSTALLATION PROCEDURES FOR THE SPECIFIC YEAR AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE.
TSBSC1262017-01-25. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE. VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE UPDATE (SC 126) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO UPDATING THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING (CALIBRATION) OF THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) ON SOME 2011MY OPTIMA (TF) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4L ENGINE AND CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS, PRODUCED FROM OCTOBER 14, 2010 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, WHICH MAY HAVE ENGINE CALIBRATIONS THAT WERE NOT OPTIMIZED FOR EMISSIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARMING UP. THESE CALIBRATIONS MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RELEASE AIR POLLUTANTS WHICH EXCEED CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCE BOARD (CARB) EMISSIONS REGULATIONS. TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION, KIA IS REQUESTING THE COMPLETION OF THIS VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN ON ALL AFFECTED 2011MY OPTIMA (TF) VEHICLES. FOR CONFIRMATION THAT THE LATEST REFLASH HAS BEEN DONE TO A VEHICLE YOU ARE WORKING ON, VERIFY THE ROM ID USING THE TABLES IN THIS TSB.
TSBSC1292017-01-25. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT. VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN: A/T FLUID COOLER HOSE REPLACEMENT (SC 129) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE A/T COOLER HOSES IN CERTAIN 2011 MY FORTE (TD) VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM AUGUST 27, 2010 THROUGH NOVEMBER 11, 2010. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY CURED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. IF SUFFICIENT FLUID IS LOST, THE LOSS OF HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TO THE TRANSAXLE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED VEHICLE MOBILITY. TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS BULLETIN.
TSBTRA049R12017-01-24. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: 6-SPD. A/T ADAPTIVE VALUE RESET /RELEARN - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURES NECESSARY TO RESET AND RELEARN THE ADAPTIVE VALUES AFTER TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT OR REPROGRAMMING/REPLACEMENT OF THE PCM/TCM. AFTER THE ADAPTIVE VALUES ARE RESET, THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER ADAPTIVE VALUES MUST BE RELEARNED BY DRIVING IN A PRECISE MANNER TO “TEACH” THE COMPUTER THE PROPER SOLENOID DUTY AND LINE PRESSURE FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION/COMPUTER COMBINATION.
TSBELE0912017-01-23. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: IDENTIFYING HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE VERSION FOR DIRECT EXCHANGE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE ON HOW TO IDENTIFY AND RECORD THE HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE LEVEL ON VARIOUS HEAD UNIT PLATFORMS AND GENERATIONS. THIS PROCEDURE WILL NOW BE REQUIRED WHEN ORDERING HEAD UNITS THROUGH THE DIRECT EXCHANGE PROGRAM.
TSBSST0412017-01-18. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. TSB: KDS - AUDIO UPDATE MODULE (AUM) - THE GDS AUDIO UPDATE MODULE (AUM) WAS INTRODUCED IN FOURTH QUARTER OF 2013. THIS SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL (SST) WAS DEVELOPED TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF UPDATING 2010MY, AND LATER, KIA AUDIO HEAD UNITS USING A GDS, AND NOW, THE SAME FUNCTIONALITY IS AVAILABLE ON KDS. SOME TECHNICIANS MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE BENEFITS THE AUM TOOL HAS TO OFFER. THE AUM ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR MULTIPLE USB FLASH DRIVES FOR SPECIFIC VEHICLE MODELS AND APPLICATIONS WHICH, IF MISAPPLIED, MAY RESULT IN AN IMPROPER AUDIO SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE AND/OR LOCKED UP HEAD UNIT. ADDITIONALLY, FIELD REPORTS HAVE INDICATED THAT USB DRIVES FOR AUDIO UPDATES ARE EASILY LOST OR MISPLACED.
PS2742016-03-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
PS2672016-03-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL; ENGINE. SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
0552015-04-16. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION. KIA : SOME VEHICLES EXPERIENCING NO CRANK OR START, MIL LAMP, HARSH SHIFTING, DEPRESSING THE START/STOP BUTTON TWICE. *LJ

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.