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Service bulletins for the 2018 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.

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

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Bulletins, newest first
PS6132019-07-11. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. PITSTOP: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACEMENT, MILEAGE SETTING WITH KDS - This publication provides the KDS service procedure for mileage setting on the listed vehicles with newly replaced instrument clusters.
TSBTRA0782019-07-04. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: TRANSMISSION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to optimize the logic of the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on 2017-2018MY Soul (PS) and Forte (YDm) and 2016-2018MY Optima (JFa) vehicles equipped with 1.6T GDI that have one of the following three components replaced: Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) assembly; Transmission Control Unit (TCU), and Double Clutch Set.The friction material of the double clutch set has been changed and a TCU logic optimization must be performed in order to prevent initial shift shock.
TSBENG2082019-07-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TSB: ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 AND/OR P219C00, P219D00, P219E00, P219F00 - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) on some 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm) vehicles, produced from May 15, 2016 through July 27, 2018, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ON with DTC P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 and/or P219C00. P219D00, P219E00, P219F00.
PS6102019-07-04. Service bulletin. SEAT BELTS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: SRS DTC B176200 AND/OR B168400- This Pitstop provides information regarding a possible mismatch of a SRSCM (Supplemental Restraint System Control Module) and driver seat belt buckle that may set the SRS DTC(s) B168400 and/or B176200 on the models listed below. When diagnosing a vehicle that has been in an accident and/or has recently had a superseded SRSCM replaced, it may be necessary to inspect and replace the driver seat belt buckle with the latest production P/N listed in EPC. Older production driver seat belt buckles have a 4 pin connector and may no longer be compatible with the superseded SRSCM. Only the SRSCM is superseded; the driver seat belt buckle is not superseded. DTC B176200:
TSBENG178_R22019-05-08. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TSB: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC18) - This bulletin provides information related to extracting "in use performance tracking" emissions data from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) of certain vehicles sold in California. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires the emissions data from vehicles with a minimum of 3,000 accumulated miles without reprogramming or resetting.
TSBELE1592019-04-30. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. TSB: STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED AUDIO CONTROL MALFUNCTION - This bulletin provides the procedure to inspect and, if necessary, replace the clock spring assembly on some 2014-2018MY Forte (YD/YDm) vehicles, produced from February 20, 2013 through June 30, 2018, which may experience intermittent malfunctioning steering wheel audio controls due to a clock spring connector pin deformation, with no related DTCs for this concern. Note: this does not impair the clock spring airbag function. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to inspect the clock spring female connector and, if necessary, replace the clock spring assembly.
TSBCLI0442019-04-06. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. TSB: SERVICE ACTION: A/C REFRIGERANT OVERFILL (SA372) - This bulletin provides the procedure to recover and recharge the air conditioning system on certain 2019MY Niro Hybrid (DE HEV) and Niro Plug-in Hybrid (DE PHEV) vehicles, produced from July 9, 2018 through December 21, 2018, which may experience poor air conditioning performance due to a possible overfill of refrigerant. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to recover and recharge the air conditioning system with the proper amount. Kia is requesting the completion of this Service Action on all affected vehicles including dealer stock, prior to delivery.
TSBENG083_R12019-02-19. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. TSB: SPECIAL SERVICE INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS FOR GDI HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating to all Kia vehicles equipped with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. In these engines highly pressurized gasoline is injected via a common fuel rail and injectors that deliver fuel directly into the combustion chamber of each cylinder. In comparison, in a conventional Multi-Point Fuel Injection (MPI) engine, the gasoline is injected into the intake port of each cylinder at a relatively low pressure. Due to high fuel pressure in a GDI system, servicing the GDI system requires special attention and handling procedures. This bulletin provides special service information and specifications for the GDI fuel system components.
PS067_R12018-11-13. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT. PITSTOP: CYLINDER HEAD STEEL BALL INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION - This Pitstop provides information regarding the inspection and installation of the steel sealing ball on: * 3.3L & 3.8L Lambda engines for 2007-2008MY Sorento (BL), * 2.0L Nu engines for 2010-2019MY Soul (AM, PS), and * 1.8L & 2.0L Nu engines for 2010-2018MY Forte (TD, YD/YDm), 2019MY~ Forte (BDm). When replacing the cylinder heads on these engines, inspect the lubrication ports for installation of the steel sealing balls. Current replacement cylinder heads may not be equipped with the required steel balls. Identify and locate the nine (9) lubricant passages on 3.3L and 3.8L engines and three (3) on 1.8L and 2.0L engines and verify a steel ball is installed in each.
TSBENG170_R12018-09-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TSB: ADAPTIVE VALUES RESET FOR DTC P0016 - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides the procedure to reset adaptive values on some 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm) 2.0L MPI vehicles, produced from May 15, 2016 through June 22, 2018, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp illumination with DTC P0016 due to a stuck intake CVVT assembly. To correct this concern, reset the adaptive values of the engine ECU using the KDS as described in this bulletin.
PS5762018-09-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: BATTERY DEALER / CUSTOMER MODE SWITCH - This Pitstop provides information regarding a new interface related to the electronic Dealer / Customer Mode Switch setting on the new Forte (BDm).
PS5642018-06-18. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. PITSTOP - CLOCK CONCERNS ON UVO eSERVICES (UVO 3.0) - This Pitstop contains information regarding possible concerns with the clock on UVO eServices (UVO 3.0) head units installed on 2017-2018MY vehicles.
TSBENG1862018-05-14. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT (SA342) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the spark plugs on some 2018MY Forte (YDm), produced from November 21, 2017 through April 12, 2018, and 2018MY Rio (SC) vehicles, both produced from November 22, 2017 through February 6, 2018, which may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ON with DTCs P0300 through P0304 due to the spark plug porcelain cracking during manufacturing. Follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin to replace all four spark plugs, whether or not the MIL is ON.
TSBENG178_R12018-05-14. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. TSB - DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC18) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to extracting ?in use performance tracking? emissions data from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) of certain vehicles sold in California.
PS5512018-04-16. Service bulletin. BACK OVER PREVENTION; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK. PITSTOP - RATTLE NOISE FROM REAR OF THE VEHICLE (PS551) - This Pitstop contains information regarding a rattle type noise heard from the rear of the vehicle when closing a door or trunk on some 2016MY-2018MY vehicles.
PS5392018-04-16. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
TSBTRA047_R22018-03-13. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT. TSB - DRIVESHAFT SERVICEABILITY - This bulletin has been revised most recently to include additional information. This bulletin provides information regarding axle shaft serviceability for Kia vehicles equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.
TSBCHA085_R12018-02-12. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: SUB FRAME REPLACEMENT (SA323) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the sub frame on some 2018MY Forte (YD), produced from August 31, 2017 through September 4, 2017, and some 2018MY Forte (YDm) vehicles, produced from October 10, 2017 through October 23, 2017, which may experience a squeak noise at the sub frame area when driving.
PS5372018-02-12. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. PITSTOP - INSTANTANEOUS FUEL MILEAGE NOT PRESENT ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY - This Pitstop provides information regarding the instantaneous fuel mileage not displayed in the fuel economy menu of the trip computer in Type A instrument clusters on some 2014-2018MY Forte (YD) and 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm) vehicles. In some cases, an inadvertent press of the RESET (A) button may toggle the instantaneous MPG display off in the center display.
TSBENG1782018-02-12. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL. TSB - DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC18) - This bulletin provides information related to extracting ?in use performance tracking? emissions data from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) of certain vehicles sold in California.
TSBTRA0672018-01-16. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL PRESSURE CHARACTERISTIC VALUES DATA TRANSFER - This bulletin provides information regarding data transfer of automatic transmission (A/T) characteristic values on 2015MY-2018MY K900 (KH) vehicles equipped with A8TR1 8-speed A/T and 2017MY~ Sportage (QL), Forte (YDm), and Cadenza (YG) vehicles equipped with the GEN2 Type (A6MF2-2 6-speed / A8LF1 8-speed) A/T. The type of solenoid valve used to control gear shifts changed from indirect to direct control type to reduce oil capacity and improve fuel efficiency.
TSBENG1812018-01-16. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: IGNITION COIL OR COIL RFI SPRING REPLACEMENT FOR DTC P030X (SA321) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace all four (4) ignition coils or replace all four (4) coil radio frequency interference (RFI) springs on some 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm) 2.0L MPI vehicles, produced from May 16, 2017 through September 7, 2017, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp illumination (MIL) ON with DTC P030X (P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, or P0304).
TSBBOD1772017-11-14. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. TSB - ANTENNA POLE LOCATION DURING TRANSPORT - This bulletin provides information regarding the shipping location of the antenna pole in all 2018MY Forte (YDm) 5 Door SX and all 2018MY Rio (SC) vehicles at delivery to dealers and Transportation claims related to the antenna pole.
PS5112017-10-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP - BLUETOOTH® INFORMATION AND TROUBLESHOOTING - This Pitstop contains information on pairing a device on 2018 MY vehicles; the differences in pairing instructions if it is the 1st phone or a 2nd phone that needs to be paired; and how to diagnose and troubleshoot customer Bluetooth complaints.:
PS5122017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. PITSTOP: QUICK START GUIDE (QSG) DISCOLORATION - Some 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm) vehicles may experience some fading/discoloring (yellowing) of the Quick Start Guide (QSG) installed prior to delivery to your dealer. In the event you encounter this issue, a replacement QSG can be ordered and shipped to your dealer in maximum quantities of five (5) per order, at no charge. Overnight shipping is available at an additional charge to the dealer. When placing your order, reference the part number (A) listed on the back of QSG.

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