This procedure covers the removal and replacement of a power seat motor on the 2015 Kia Forte, including disconnecting the battery, accessing the seat components, and replacing the faulty motor assembly.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Power seat motor assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification for seat position (horizontal/vertical/recline)
• Electrical connector grease × 1 — Dielectric grease

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Move the seat to a mid-position to allow maximum access underneath
3. Open driver door fully and ensure adequate lighting
4. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 3 minutes before proceeding to allow airbag system to discharge

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect battery
   Using a 10mm socket, loosen and remove the negative battery terminal bolt. Move the cable away from the terminal and secure it so it cannot make contact. Wait at least 3 minutes for the airbag system to fully discharge.
   Torque spec

   Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove seat track covers
   Locate the plastic covers on both front and rear sides of the seat tracks. Use trim panel removal tools or a flathead screwdriver wrapped in cloth to carefully pry off the covers. Set covers aside in a safe location.
3. 3

   Disconnect seat electrical connectors
   Locate all electrical connectors under the seat. There will be a main harness connector and individual connectors for the power seat motor(s). Press the release tabs and carefully disconnect all connectors. Take a photo or mark the positions for reference during reassembly.
4. 4

   Remove seat mounting bolts
   Using a 14mm socket with extension, remove the four seat mounting bolts (two front, two rear) that secure the seat track assembly to the floor pan. Keep track of any washers or spacers. These bolts secure the entire seat assembly.
   ⚠Have an assistant help support the seat weight during this step, as the seat assembly weighs approximately 40-50 lbs
   Torque spec

   Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Tilt and remove seat from vehicle
   With assistance, carefully tilt the seat rearward and lift it out of the vehicle. Place the seat upside down on a clean, padded work surface such as a blanket or cardboard to prevent damage to the upholstery.
6. 6

   Locate faulty power seat motor
   Identify which motor is faulty. The horizontal (fore/aft) motor is typically located on the inboard track, the vertical (height) motor is usually at the front of the seat, and the recline motor is at the seat back pivot point. Inspect the motor and mounting bracket.
7. 7

   Disconnect motor electrical connector
   Locate the electrical connector specific to the faulty motor. Press the release tab and carefully disconnect it from the motor. Note the routing of the wiring harness.
8. 8

   Remove motor mounting hardware
   Using a 10mm socket, remove the bolts securing the power seat motor to the seat track or mechanism. Most motors are secured with 2-3 bolts. Note the orientation of the motor and any alignment marks before removal.
   ⚠The motor may be spring-loaded or under tension from the seat mechanism. Support the motor while removing the last bolt
   Torque spec

   Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Remove faulty motor
   Carefully disengage the motor drive gear from the seat track mechanism. The motor may need to be rotated or tilted slightly to clear the mounting bracket. Remove the motor completely and inspect the drive gear for damage.
10. 10

    Install new power seat motor
    Position the new motor in the mounting bracket, ensuring the drive gear properly meshes with the seat track mechanism. Align the motor with the mounting holes and verify proper engagement before securing.
11. 11

    Secure motor mounting bolts
    Install the motor mounting bolts and tighten in a cross pattern to the specified torque. Ensure the motor is properly seated against the mounting surface and the drive gear remains engaged.
    Torque spec

    Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reconnect motor electrical connector
    Apply a small amount of dielectric grease to the connector terminals. Reconnect the electrical connector to the new motor, ensuring it clicks fully into place. Verify the connector lock is engaged.
13. 13

    Reinstall seat assembly
    With assistance, carefully position the seat assembly back into the vehicle, aligning the seat tracks with the floor mounting holes. Ensure all wiring harnesses are routed properly and not pinched.
14. 14

    Secure seat mounting bolts
    Install the four seat mounting bolts with any washers or spacers that were originally present. Hand-tighten all four bolts first, then torque in a cross pattern to the specified value using a torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reconnect all electrical connectors
    Reconnect all electrical connectors under the seat, referring to your photos or markings. Ensure each connector clicks fully into place and the locking tabs are engaged. Route wiring to prevent interference with seat travel.
16. 16

    Reinstall seat track covers
    Snap the plastic seat track covers back into place on both sides of the seat tracks. Ensure they are fully seated and secure.
17. 17

    Reconnect battery
    Clean the battery terminal and cable end with a wire brush if needed. Reconnect the negative battery cable to the negative terminal and tighten the bolt to the specified torque. Do not overtighten as this can damage the terminal.
    Torque spec

    Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
2. Verify seat mounting bolts are torqued to specification
3. Check that seat track covers are properly installed
4. Confirm wiring is not pinched or interfering with seat movement

Verification

• Turn ignition to ON position (engine does not need to start)
• Test all power seat functions: forward/backward, up/down, and recline (if applicable)
• Verify smooth operation without binding or unusual noises
• Check that the seat stops at full travel limits in all directions
• Confirm all other seat electrical functions work properly (heated seats, lumbar, etc. if equipped)
• Move seat through full range of motion several times to ensure proper operation
• Verify no warning lights are illuminated on the instrument cluster

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