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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
PI2106_OWNR2021-10-22. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2018 MY Kia Forte vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter Nu GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit ("ECU") (PI2106).
PI2106_DPSM2021-10-22. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage on 2017-2018 MY Kia Forte vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter Nu GDI engines, manufactured from May 19, 2016 through May 7, 2018.
PI2106_DP2021-10-22. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage on 2017-2018 MY Kia Forte vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter Nu GDI engines, manufactured from May 19, 2016 through May 7, 2018.
TSB_BOD055_R12021-10-02. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE; EXTERIOR LIGHTING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.
TSB_ENG222_R32021-09-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2019MY vehicles (refer to table below for applicable model and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
TSB_TRA083_R12021-09-03. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 7-SPEED DCT JUDDER INSPECTION AND DUAL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to replace Dual Clutch Assembly and upgrade the TCU on some 2016-2020MY Kia vehicles listed in the table below, equipped with the 7 Speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), which might exhibit clutch judder when accelerating from a stop.
PS7042021-08-25. Service bulletin. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: FRONT RADAR SENSOR MOUNTING INSPECTION (PS704) - This pitstop provides information regarding front radar sensor alignment on 2014MY and later vehicles that may exhibit a warning light ON related to radar sensor alignment errors in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)/Smart Cruise Control (SCC) system.
TSB_CHA084_R72021-04-06. Service bulletin. STEERING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering Column Housing, or Worm Gear Assembly. When the steering wheel is rotated a scraping noise can be heard originating from the lower bearing on the Worm Gear Assembly on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit.
TSB_CHA084_R62020-12-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; STEERING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Worm Gear Assembly or Steering Column Housing on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit.
TSB_CHA084_R52020-12-02. Service bulletin. STEERING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Worm Gear Assembly or Steering Column Housing on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit.
PS299_R42020-11-03. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. PITSTOP: CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR RAISING WINDSHIELD WIPERS - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. When servicing windshield wipers on the below listed vehicles, including during PDI, ensure to raise the wiper arms to a vertical position to avoid damaging the paint on the rear edge of the hood.
PS6752020-09-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER. PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess assembly oil applied during assembly.
TSB_ENG2192020-08-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - This bulletin provides information on setting the "Service Interval Reminder" feature available on most Kia vehicles. If the service interval reminder is set, the customer will be informed to have the next maintenance service performed, which can positively affect vehicle longevity and performance.
TSB_BOD2082020-07-06. Service bulletin. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES. TSB - This bulletin provides the procedure to perform a partial repair on the trunk latch base sub assembly on the certain Forte, Rio and Optima vehicles, which may exhibit a difficult-to-close/latch concern with the trunk lid.
TSB_CLI0482020-05-05. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY; UNKNOWN OR OTHER. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - PARTIAL REPAIR; COMPRESSOR FIELD COIL ASSEMBLY INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information regarding A/C Compressor Field Coil Assembly inspection and replacement on some 2017-2020 Forte (YDm, BDm) vehicles. Follow the diagnostic procedures in this bulletin to isolate air conditioning compressor faults such as open field coil circuit. Kia has made the Field Coil/Bolt available as serviceable item.
TSB_TRA046_R12020-05-05. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles on page 2. Refer to the shop manual on KGIS for the specific Kia model for the correct transmission fluid check/fill procedures.
TSB_ENG208_R22020-03-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN - 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.
TSB_ELE1482020-02-04. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HALOGEN HEAD LAMP LOW BEAM BULB CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information regarding the procedure to repair the bulb connector on some 2010MY~ vehicles listed on the table below, which may exhibit a bulb connector concern. To correct this concern, replace the connector with a new and improved part.
TSBCHA084_R42019-12-09. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; STEERING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU) or Steering Column Housing on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 5 equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit. Follow the MDPS Flowchart (page 2) along with the MDPS DTC Table (page 3) procedure outlined in this bulletin before replacing the C-MDPS Motor, ECU or Steering Column Housing.
TSBCHA084_R32019-11-07. Service bulletin. STEERING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB084_R3: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU) or Steering Column Housing on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 5 equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit.
TSBENG208_R12019-11-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSBENG208_R1: 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.
TSBENG181_R12019-11-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSBENG181_R1: SERVICE ACTION: IGNITION COIL OR COIL RFI SPRING REPLACEMENT FOR DTC P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, AND/OR P0304 (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, 2016 through September 7, 2017, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp illumination (MIL) ON with DTC P030X (P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, or P0304).
TSBBOD192_R12019-09-06. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. TSBBOD192_R1: COMBINATION TSB/SERVICE ACTION:FUEL FILLER DOOR OPENING IMPROVEMENT (SA388) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the fuel filler door opening mechanism on some 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm) vehicles produced from May 23, 2016 through February 2, 2018 which may exhibit a fuel filler door that does not pop open and/or does not open far enough. Before conducting the procedure, verify that the vehicle is included in the list of affected VINs. For vehicles not on the Affected Vehicles list, but still experiencing the issue described above, perform the procedure outlined in this bulletin.
TSBBOD1922019-09-06. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. TSBBOD192: COMBINATION TSB/SERVICE ACTION FUEL FILLER DOOR OPENING IMPROVEMENT (SA388) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the fuel filler door opening mechanism on some 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm) vehicles produced from May 23, 2016 through February 2, 2018 which may exhibit a fuel filler door that does not pop open and/or does not open far enough. Before conducting the procedure, verify that the vehicle is included in the list of affected VINs.
TSBENG178_R32019-08-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. 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.

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