2012 Kia Forte
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 292 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 16 Forte model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 20 involved a crash and 23 involved a fire. 16 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineDec 2, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Campaign 20V750000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleJun 1, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Campaign 18V363000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, pedals and linkagesDec 1, 2017
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC158.
Campaign 17V773000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
166 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Dec 3, 2020, fire
BACK IN 2018 MY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT MY ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I'VE HAD KEPT REGULAR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH THE 2012 FORTE USES HYUNDAI AND KIA'S 'THETA II' ENGINE. THE THETA II ENGINES COULD HAVE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROCESS ISSUE. SURE ENOUGH I DID INDEED HAVE ENGINE FAILURE AND HAD TO PAY AN ARM AND A LEG TO REPLACE MY ENGINE. NOW I FEAR THAT THIS SECOND ENGINE WILL FOLLOW SUIT. ONLY SOME MODELS FELL UNDER THE RECALL BUT KIA REALLY NEEDS TO CONSIDER THE 2012 FORTE MODELS AND ANY OTHER MODEL THAT FALLS IN RANGE. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND KIA NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE! I HAD TO CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES TO RESPOND TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WENT OUT.
Engine, Nov 29, 2020
DRIVING WHEN IT STALLED ALONG WITH MINOR SMOKING FROM ENGINE AREA ON SEVAERAL OCCASIONS. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL KIA TO SEE IF THEY MAY HAVE INSIGHT AS TO WHAT MIHJT BE THE CAUSE ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY WOULD NEED TO INDSPECT CAR ALONG WITH A HEFTY HOURLY FEE. AND WITHIN SEVERAL DAYS IT STALLED , THE ENGINE CAME ON THEN DIED. I TOWED CAR HOME. IT WOUL START AND RUN FOR APPR. 2 MINUTESWITH A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. I THEN HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MECHANIC SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED TO BE TOLD IT WAS BLOWN DUE TO THROWED RODS AND WOULD NEED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT WGICH I DID HAVE DONE. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY THE SHOP TO THE ISSUES KIA HAD HAD AND WAS HAVING WITH THE THETA ENGINE AS THATS WHAT MY CAR HAD. IVE CONTACTED THE MAIN KIA OFFICE WITH MY ISSUE AND COMPLAINT ONLY TO BE TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND THEY COULDD NOT ASSIST ME AND DECLINED ANY OTHER CALLS IVE TRIEDTO PLACE TO THEM.
Engine, Oct 27, 2020
I BOUGHT MY 2012 KIA FORTE WITH ABOUT 9,000 MILES IN 2014. I USED GOOD PENNZOIL SYNTHETIC OIL AND DID REGULAR OIL CHANGES. MY ENGINE STARTED TICKING AT ABOUT 110,000 MILES. I WROTE IT OFF AS A TICKY LIFTER. AT 184, 000 MILES MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED OIL. LESS THAN A QUART LOW, SO I FILLED IT. 5 MILES LATER CAR DIES AND WON'T TURN OVER AGAIN. MECHANIC SAYS ENGINE LOCKED UP. THEN I READ ONLINE THAT THIS 2.4 THETA ENGINE HAS BEEN RECALLED IN LATER MODEL KIAS AND HYUNDAI. BUT NOT IN EARLY YEARS BECAUSE OF SOME CODE NUMBER. GIVE ME A BREAK. KIA NEEDS TO PAY UP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.I AM CALLING EVERYONE I CAN TO KEEP THIS ISSUE OUT THERE. MAKE THEM DO A RECALL. NBC NEWS IS NEXT ON MY LIST. I WAS ON A CITY STREET GOING ABOUT 30. LUCKILY NOT PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF SOMEONE
Power train, Engine, Sep 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS EMITTING A SOUND LIKE THAT OF A DIESEL ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL UNKNOWN DEALERS WERE CONTACTED WERE CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS COMMON WITH SIMILAR VEHICLES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CRANK BEARING HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Engine, Aug 27, 2020
ENGINE KNOCKING & CLICKING. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ENGINE FROM KIA FOR THESE MODELS. IT HAPPENS ON STARTUP AND FADES AFTER DRIVING AWHILE
Power train, Air bags, Engine, Aug 13, 2020
MARCH OF 2020 WE BAGAN NOTICING A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR UPON COLD STARTS WHICH INCREASES AS THE IDLE SPEED INCREASES. ALSO MAKES THE SAME KNOCKING NOISE WHILE ENGINE IS AT RUNNING TEMPERATURE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE A CONNECTOR ROD OR CONNECTOR ROD BEARING ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT OF THE THETA II MOTOR. ALSO AROUND THE SAME TIME THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL SC158 BRAKE PEDAL STOPPER PAD. WE WERE INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE CAME OUT OF PARK WITH ENGINE OFF AND KEYS NOT IN IGNITION, ALMOST CAUSING COLLISION WHEN CAR ROLLED INTO STREET. AGAIN, KIA STATED THAT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. *LN*JB
Engine, Jul 18, 2020
ENGINE HAS DEVELOPED A KNOCKING SOUND AT IDLE UPON COLD START. SUSPECT CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS ARE FAILING, SIMILAR TO THE CURRENT 2.0L THETA ENGINE RECALL. OIL AND FILTER HAS BEEN CHANGED EVERY 5K MILES SINCE NEW. THE 2.4L THETA II ENGINE NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL.
Engine, May 13, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH AND MY CAR BOGGED DOWN, IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER THEN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. GOT SOME HELP TO PUSH IT TO THE SHOULDER, AND GOT A WRECKER TO TOW IT HOME. FOUND ENGINE HAD SIZED UP. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH KIA'S AND THIS ENGINE. CALLED LOCAL KIA DEALER AND THEY SAID THE FORTE SERIES WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE SAME ENGINE IN OTHER SERIES WITH THE SAME ENGINE PROBLEMS. *TR
Engine, May 11, 2020
ENGINE FAILURE AT 71,000 MILES. ZERO PRIOR ISSUES. NOT COVERED BY KIA DUE TO TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP AND THE LACK OF WARRANTY BEYOND 60K. *TR
Engine, May 6, 2020
START IT WITH A TICKING NOISE THAT WAS PERSISTENT EVERY TIME WE TURN THE CAR ON AND EVENTUALLY JUST BLEW UP IN THE MIDDLE OF US DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. KIA IS NOT HELPING THERE IS NO RECALLS FOR THIS MODEL CAR OR ISSUE AND WE ARE JUST BEING IGNORED. FINALLY GOT A CALL BACK FROM THE MECHANIC TO FIND OUT THAT KIA STOPPED MAKING THIS MODEL ENGINE BECAUSE THEY HAD SO MANY ISSUES FOR IT BUT YET NO RECALL THERE'S NO POSSIBLE WAY TO FIX OUR CAR NOW GOOD JOB KIA YOU SUCK #KIASUCKS *TR
Engine, Mar 6, 2020
BACK IN 2017 I NEEDED TO HAVE THE ENGINE ON MY KIA REPAIRED AFTER ONLY FINANCING IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR DUE TO LOUD KNOCKING MY OIL LEVELS WERE UP TO PAR. PRESENT DAY, 2020 I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE ONCE AGAIN. AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY I FELT A WEIRD SHIFT FOLLOWED BY LOUD KNOCKING COMING FROM MY ENGINE.
Engine, Mar 1, 2020
THEY SAID THERE IS METAL SCRAP IN THE CYLINDERS AND IT IS EVERYWHERE ONLINE THAT THEY SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF IT AND HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE A FIRE. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS WHAT PEOPLE DESCRIBE ONLINE AND I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT.
Engine, Feb 26, 2020
TURN ON THE CAR AND THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR REGULAR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES.
Engine, Feb 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CEASED AND WAS UNAWARE IF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. JOEY GRIFFIN KIA 3249 N CHURCH ST, ROCKY MOUNT, NC 27804, WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, Dec 31, 2019
PURCHASED MY KIA FORTE 2.4L HATCHBACK USED 5 YEARS AGO WITH 42,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AND HAVE CHANGED TO OIL AT THE RECOMMENDED INTERVALS AND PARTICIPATED IN THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE AT CERTIFIED KIA DEALERS ONLY. IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, OIL LEVEL NEVER DECREASED SO THERE WERE NO LEAKS. I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A 3-HOUR TRIP WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO DEVELOP A RATTLING NOISE. I PULLED OVER TO CHECK THE FLUIDS AND EXPOSED BELT AND NO ISSUES. THE RATTLING GREW MORE NOTICEABLE FROM A RATTLING TO A GRINDING NOISE (60-70 MPH) AND THEN THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN MINUTES THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, POWER LOST AND SPEED DECREASING WITHOUT A WAY TO ACCELERATE. I WAS ON A BUSY VIRGINIA HIGHWAY AND WAS ABLE TO PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER. TOWED TO CERTIFIED KIA DEALER WHO STATED THAT ONCE THEY OPENED THE OIL PAN, CHUNKS OF METAL CAME OUT AND THERE WERE GAPING HOLES IN ENGINE BLOCK. CLEARLY THIS ENGINE IS FACING THE SAME TERRIBLE FATE OF THE OTHER ENGINES RECALLED BY KIA; WHY WONT THEY ADMIT AND RECALL THE KIA ENGINES? AS SECOND OWNER, CAR IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
Engine, Dec 22, 2019
2012 KIA FORTE KOUP DRIVING ON A 45MPH ROAD WHEN WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE SEIZED CAUSING DANGEROUS SITUATION ATTEMPTING TO PULL CAR TO SIDE WITHOUT POWER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DELEARSHIP FOR WARRANTY SERVICE AS CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WAS DENIED WARRANTY SERVICE FOR LUDICROUS REFUSAL TO ACCEPT MAINTENANCE RECORDS BECAUSE I SCANNED THE ORIGINALS AND WOULD NOT HAND OVER THE ORIGINALS. VEHICLE WAS IN PERFECT RUNNING ORDER AND I PROVIDED VIDEO EVIDENCE SHOWING KIA VIDEO I HAPPENED TO HAVE SHOT JUST A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED DEMONSTRATING CAR WAS RUNNING PERFECT WITHOUT ANY SHAKES, RUMBLES,ODD NOISES AND ABSOLUTELY NO "SERVICE ENGINE" OR OTHER WARNING LIGHTS. KIA TOOK 2 MONTHS TO EVEN GIVE ME A PRELIMINARY DECISION THAT WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS WITH NO OFFER TO ASSIST WITH A LOANER CAR OR RENTAL OR ANY OTHER ASSISTANCE. OPENED ENGINE UP TO FIND METAL SHAVINGS AND OTHER REMNANTS FROM MANUFACTURE FLOATING AROUND IN OIL PAN. UPON INVESTIGATING A LITTLE FURTHER DISCOVERED THAT KIA NEEDS TO HELD ACCOUNTABLE NOT ONLY FOR THE GDI THETA ENGINES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED UNDER SC147 BUT ALSO THE MPI MODEL ENGINES LIKE I HAVE IN MY CAR. IN THE RECALL KIA CLAIMS METAL SHAVINGS FROM MANUFACTURE OF THE CRANKSHAFTS ON THE GDI ENGINES CAUSED THE ISSUES.......HOWEVER, THE EXACT SAME CRANKSHAFT DOWN TO THE PART NUMBERS ARE 100% IDENTICAL. PLEASE I IMPLORE YOU TO HOLD KIA ACCOUNTABLE NOT ONLY FOR THE GDI ENGINES BUT ALSO THE MPI AS WELL. THEY BOTH USE THE EXACT SAME PART KIA CLAIMS HAD ISSUES AND KIA CONTINUES TO LIE AND NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY.
Engine, Dec 2, 2019
I BOUGHT MY 2012 KIA FORTE 2.0L WITH 30,000 MILES 3 YEARS AGO. I NOW HAVE 100,955 MILES. MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN KEPT UP AND VEHICLE HAS BEEN WORKING FINE WITH NO ISSUES. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. WHEN YOU WOULD TURN THE KEY YOU WOULD HERE 1 CLICK AND THEN NOTHING. WE BOUGHT A STARTER BECAUSE WE TESTED THE STARTER ON THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS BAD. STILL EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE STARTER YOU WOULD ONLY HEAR ONE CLICK. I HAD A MECHANIC COME LOOK AT THE CAR ONLY TO TELL ME THAT MY ENGINE HAS LOCKED UP. SAYS ITS CAUSED BY POOR MAINTENANCE AND/OR BAD DESIGN. HE SAID THE FIRST THING HE CHECKED WAS THE MAINTENANCE AND EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT ON THE CAR, BUT AGAIN MY ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP.
Engine, Oct 26, 2019
IVE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR FOR SEVERAL WEEKS WITH POOR PERFORMANCE, ROUGH STARTS, AND BAD FUEL ECONOMY. ON MY WAY TO WORK ONE MORNING, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. LATER THAT DAY I TOOK IT ADVANCED AUTO PARTS AND GOT A 'P200A' CODE. I TOOK MY CAR TO A NEARBY SHOP AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC DONE WHICH COST ME $103.19. I PURCHASED THE VCM MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH ALSO COST ME $244.25. ONCE I REMOVED THE OLD PART I REALIZED THAT THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT CONNECTS INTO THE MANIFOLD WAS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED.
Engine, Oct 7, 2019
VEHICLE HAS A SEVERE INTERNAL ENGINE KNOCK AND WILL REQUIRE REBUILDING OR REPLACED. IT HAS 112,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AT THE REQUIRED INTERVALS WITH KIA SPECIFIED PRODUCTS. 2.0 LITER ENGINE.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 20, 2019
KIA,HYUNDAI THETA 2.4 ENGINE FAILURE, UNDER 100K MILES. I HAVE A 2012 KIA FORTE HATCH SX WITH THE 2.4 ENGINE. I PURCHASED IT FROM SUNSET KIA OF AUBURN VALLEY WA WITH 66,000 MILES NOT QUITE 3 YEARS AGO. IN THAT TIME I'VE PUT ABOUT 30K MILES ON THE CAR. I'VE HAD THE OIL CHANGED REGULARLY, AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN LOW. LAST WEEK, ON AUGUST 11, 2019, WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE ENGINE SEIZED ON THE HIGHWAY. I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ASSIST. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, BUT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE TIME OF DAY. HAD IT HAPPENED DURING HEAVIER TRAFFIC A SIGNIFICANT ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. FROM ONLINE RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR AND OTHERS THAT THAT USE THE SAME THETA II ENGINE. THIS CAR/ENGINE SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Engine, Aug 1, 2019
I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR USED 5 YEARS AGO WITH 36,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR FOR THE AT TIME SPAN. I HAD CHANGED TO OIL AT THE RECOMMENDED INTERVALS USING OEM OIL FILTERS AND FULL SYNTHETIC OIL. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO DEVELOP A RATTLING NOISE. AS I MADE A LEFT TURN ONTO A COUNTRY ROAD TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 45MPH THE RATTLING HAD GOT MORE NOTICEABLE AND THE ENGINE HAD A LOST OF POWER. EVENTUALLY THE RATTLING TURN INTO A METALLIC CRUNCHING NOISE BEFORE THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN. I HAD PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO FURTHER INSPECT THE PROBLEM AND THAT IS WHEN I HAD DISCOVERED ENGINE OIL COATING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTARTED LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL A TOW VEHICLE HAD ARRIVED.
Engine, Jul 23, 2019
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 40 MPH WHEN APPROACHING THE RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY (65 MPH) AND BEGAN TO HEAR A LOT OF NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE (SOUNDED LIKE METAL SCRAPPING). I BEGAN TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER BUT THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING BEFORE I COULD GET TO THE SHOULDER AND NOTE NO INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I COASTED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE FLASHING, AND THEN DARK SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM THE HOOD. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AS I THOUGHT IT WAS ON FIRE BUT COULD NOT OPEN THE HOOD AS IT WAS EXTREMELY HOT. I WAITED AND THEN TRIED AGAIN, FINALLY, OPENING THE HOOD WITH A RAG. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED, I HAD IT TOWED TO A 2ND MECHANIC (SAME DIAGNOSIS) THEN WAS INFORMED OF SC147 AFTER DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH. I CONTACTED KIA AND OPENED A CASE #13204401 WHERE I THEN HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED FOR THE 3RD TIME TO A KIA DEALERSHIP (BOB BELL, BALTIMORE, MD) WHERE THEY HAD TO DO THEIR DIAGNOSTIC TEST (TECHNICIANS CELL VIDEO TO SHOW THE CAR WILL NOT START), PER KIA, TO COME TO THE CONCLUSION MY CAR IS NOT PART OF SC147 (ACCORDING TO MY VEIN #). THIS SAFETY RECALL IS FOR 2.4L GDI ENGINES AND MINE IS A 2.4L DOHC. IN ADDITION TO MY COMPLAINT, I WANT TO KNOW WHERE IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS (WHAT PLANT WAS MY ENGINE ASSEMBLED?) IF GIVEN THEY ARE THE SAME ENGINES BUT ONLY A TOP COVERING DIFFERENCE (GDI VS DOHC), THEN HOW DO I KNOW FOR SURE MY ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PART OF MAJOR SC147 SINCE MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING WITH NO ISSUES AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE WITH 160,000 + MILES?
Engine, Jul 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AS SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALER. BOB BELL KIA OF GLEN BURNIE (7900 EASTERN AVE, BALTIMORE, MD 21224, (410) 766-3600) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Engine, Jul 15, 2019
ENGINE IS MAKING A TICKING NOISE DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
Engine, May 20, 2019
GOOD AFTERNOON. I WANTED TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION AND THE SEVERITY OF THIS ISSUE. IN THE MONTH OF JUNE 2018 MY EXPECTING WIFE IN HER 2012 KIA FORTE WAS ON HER WAY HOME ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE CAR WITH NO SIGNS LEADING UP TO THIS DECIDED TO DIE UNEXPECTEDLY ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A CERTIFIED DEALER TO HAVE DIAGNOSES OF WHAT HAPPENED THE CONCLUSION WAS THE ENGINE'S CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS SEIZED. MUCH LIKE THE KIA AND HYUNDAI RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE FOR MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION CARS ARE IMPACTED. I EXPRESSED HOW THIS COULD BE DUE TO CAR HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT AND ALL THE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED REGULARLY. THE WIFE PURCHASED THIS CAR USED FROM A WELL KNOWN DEALER ONLY A YEAR AGO AND ADDED 12,000 ON THE ODOMETER. I CONTACTED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOSSED AROUND WITH NO ANSWERS. AFTER MORE THAN A MONTH KIA CORP CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT NO HELP WOULD BE GIVEN ON REPLACEMENT OF A ENGINE. I EXPRESSED HOW DANGEROUS THIS SITUATION WAS WHEN YOUR VEHICLE'S ENGINE JUST SEIZES AND HOW CLOSE MY WIFE AND UNBORN CHILD WAS ALMOST IN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. THERE WAS ZERO CARES GIVEN. I SPOKE WITH A KIA REPRESENTATIVE AFTER REVIEW FROM A MANAGER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO, AND I QUOTE " BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT OWNED A PRIOR KIA PRODUCT AND YOU ARE NOT CONSIDERED A LOYAL CUSTOMER AND DUE TO THAT CONCLUSION THAT IS THE REASON AND CONCLUSION FOR MAKING THE DECISION". I WAS TO UPSET AND EXPRESSED MY FRUSTRATION AND STILL NO RESOLUTION. THE CAR IS STILL INOPERABLE TILL I EXHAUST ALL PATHS AND MAKE SURE MY EXPERIENCE DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ANY OTHERS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND KIA DOES NOT WANT TO OWN UP TO IT. THEY ARE SWEEPING THIS ISSUE UNDER A RUG TILL SOMEBODY REALLY GETS HURT OR WORST. I WANT KAI TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS ISSUE AND MAKE IT RIGHT NOT JUST FOR ME BUT OTHERS HAVING THIS ISSUE.