The Forte made its US debut in 2008 and it is currently Kia’s best-selling vehicle.
Like any other car it uses beeps and chimes to alert the driver.
If your Forte keeps beeping and you don’t know why, this article is here to help.
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Why Is My Kia Forte Beeping?
The most common cause of beeping on a Kia Forte is related to the low-temperature chime, however other causes include Bluetooth connections, the handbrake isn’t down fully (off) or the 12V battery that is about to die.
If your Forte is beeping for mysterious reasons there could be a number of reasons why, we’ve outlined the most common ones below.
Low-Temperature Warning
Common across many of Kia’s vehicles, the low-temperature warning is a common culprit when it comes to unknown beeps.
The chime is designed to warn you of ice on the roads and the risk of slippery roads, if you check your handbook it should tell you the temperature its designed to go off at.
On some Forte models, the chime is accompanied by a snowflake on the dash, next to the outside temperature display.
Some owners have found ways of silencing this beep although it’s not recommended.
Typically this is triggered when outside temperatures drop below 40°F (4°C).
Handbrake
If the handbrake is not fully down (off) then the Forte will sound a warning beep.
If you feel the handbrake is right down, then there may be a faulty sensor that needs adjusting, this should be covered under warranty and fixed for free by your dealer.
Bluetooth
Occasionally the Forte’s Bluetooth system will make a beeping noise when trying to connect to your smartphone.
Completely disconnect your phone’s Bluetooth from the car and wait a few minutes to allow the system to reset itself before reconnecting.
The beeping should stop if this was the cause.
12V Battery
If the 12V battery is dying you may hear beeping noises, most 12V car batteries last 3-4 years on average.
You can always check the battery life with a voltmeter, by measuring the voltage across the battery’s terminals or have it checked by a trained professional.
If it’s under 11V then this is likely causing the beeps and you’ll need to replace it.
Weight on Passenger Seat
If you have a bag, your pet dog or even a bottle of water on the passenger seat, your Forte may think that you have a passenger in the seat that needs to buckle up and will trigger the seat belt alarm.
If this is the case, you can always connect the seat belt to stop the beeping.
There should also be a seatbelt warning light on.
Door Locking
When pressing the button of the front outside door handle the doors will not lock and a chime will sound for 3 seconds if any of the following occurs:
- The smart key is in the vehicle
- The ignition switch is in the ACC or ON position
- Any door except the trunk is opened
Faulty Sensors
If the parking / reversing sensors are dirty, covered in snow, or faulty on your Forte, then you may hear beeps when you shouldn’t
Give the sensors a good clean.
If you’re mechanically inclined and you suspect it’s the sensors causing the beeps, you can check for loose wiring connections.
Otherwise, you’re better off leaving it to your local Kia dealership to fix.
Over Speed Warning
This isn’t relevant for US owners, however on certain Kia models and depending on your country’s laws, you may hear a beeping noise when you exceed certain speeds.
Usually this occurs when driving over 120km/h which is roughly 75 mph, and is usually accompanied by a warning on the dash.
Faulty latches or Sticking Door Mechanisms
If you’ve got a door latch that’s sticking this will make the car think you’ve got a door open or ajar when you haven’t.
This is a common cause of beeping on many car models.
Try giving a good clean to all door mechanisms and lubricating with WD-40, make sure they all open and close properly.
Oil & Fluid
It’s a good idea to check fluid levels are all correct as these can often trigger beeps.
- Engine oil
- Coolant
- Power steering fluid
- Brake fluid
- Windshield washer
Related: Kia Forte 5 Worst Problems
Open Hood, Door or Sunroof
Very obvious but often overlooked, make sure the Forte’s hood is fully latched and all the doors are securely closed to rule out this possible cause.
If you have a sunroof equipped and have left it open this can also trigger a warning beep on some models.
Keyless Entry System
This only applies to Forte owners who have a keyless entry system fitted.
Some systems will warn you when the key is within a certain proximity of the car when the engine is still running.
If you walk away from the car with the key fob in your pocket whilst it’s still running it may start beeping at you.
Anti Theft Steering Column Lock
If your Forte is equipped with an anti-theft steering column lock and the steering wheel has not been locked properly when you open the driver’s door, a warning beep will sound.
The steering wheel should lock when the engine start/stop button is in the OFF position, to prevent the car from being stolen. It locks when the door is opened.
If you hear the warning beep, try locking the steering wheel again. If it continually fails to lock you’ll need to have it looked at by Kia.
Driver Assist Features
Modern Fortes come with lots of electronic driver aids that can often cause various beeps and warnings, however, these should be accompanied by a warning on the LCD display and thus easy to identify.
Some Forte driver aids that are known to beep include:
- Cruise control
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW)
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
If there is a problem with the sensors or electronics linked with these systems, then that too can cause unwanted beeps.
Alternative Suggestions
Disconnect the Battery
Some innocuous beeps can disappear with a simple reset.
Disconnect the battery for 20 seconds.
Check the Gauge Cluster
When the beeping occurs can you see any lights come on at the same time on the gauge cluster?
This can give a clue as to whats causing the beeping.
On some vehicles, a warning beep indicates a bulb in the gauge cluster is blown.
Related: How Long Do Kia Forte Last?
Take it to a Kia Dealership
If needed, take your Forte to the dealership.
Tell them you are NOT paying for a check on what the problem might be.
Ask them if they will check it for free.
Most dealerships and other places do quick/initial diagnosis for no money as they plan to make money for the repair of your vehicle.
Check for Recalls or TSBs:
By entering your car’s VIN number on Kia’s recall page you can determine whether or not there is a recall for your vehicle and if there is you’ll want to get it fixed.
Similarly, a quick google search will help you determine whether there is a Technical Service Bulletin for your car, these are less serious but may give a reason why your car is beeping.
A recall is issued by a vehicle manufacturer for issues that are safety-related, while a TSB covers components that may be malfunctioning but don’t compromise the safety of the vehicle.
Diagnosing Beeps With a Scanner
Another possible option if you’re hearing a beeping sound is to use an OBD2 diagnostic scanner tool.
These are fairly easy to use, you simply plug them into your car – there’s usually an OBD2 port under the steering wheel.
Once you have the scan codes you can research these online specifically for the Forte.
There are also OBD apps available so you can connect your car straight to your smartphone (either with a cable or Bluetooth) without even needing a scanner.
Resources
https://www.kiatechinfo.com/ext_If/kma_owner_portal/content_pop.aspx
https://www.kiatechinfo.com/ext_If/kma_owner_portal/content_pop.aspx
