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: service brakes
52 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Service brakes, Dec 10, 2023
NHTSA safety recall 23V652000 addresses this defect with my vehicle, but the manufacturer has provided no credible or valid solution that positively remedies the vehicle defect. I am horrified of driving my vehicle since reading about the fire hazard that exists. Preliminary findings provided by Kia confirm the HECU/ABS module may leak brake fluid due to a faulty seal. Leaking fluid can come in contact with an adjacent multi-pin electrical connector, igniting the brake fluid and quickly leading to an engine fire. Kia has also stated a permanent solution is not yet available, while only issuing an interim recall. Furthermore, the proposed replacement part, consisting of a fuse, is unavailable for now. I am confused and frustrated with this solution. How will a fuse remedy a leaking brake fluid defect, which is the primary fault? This unacceptable action is a flagrant example of Kia's painfully slow and inadequate response to a serious defect. Drivers of affected vehicles are forced to endure aggravation, exasperation and much anxiety during the long wait for a repair. Already, my vehicle is on a list of models identified by Kia to have been manufactured without immobilizer modules. Kia has done nothing about remedying my immobilizer problem beyond providing a steering wheel locking device, which my auto insurance has deemed as insufficient and subsequently raised my premium. Lastly, my well-maintained vehicle, with only 28,570 miles on the odometer, may also be affected by the familiar Theta engine design manufacturing defect in the crankshaft bearings that fail and indirectly cause a connecting rod to break. The broken connecting rod then smashes through the engine block, hot engine oil spills out and onto the neighboring exhaust manifold. The end result is a raging engine compartment fire. Kia has never contacted me about this defect.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service brakes, Sep 28, 2023
I don't see anywhere else on this site to give feedback on the recalls 23V652000 and 23V651000 issued on 09/25/2023, so I will give it here. Hyundai/Kia's "fix" for this recall isn't a fix at all, but a band-aid meant to save them money, so they don't have to fix the vehicles. A fuse isn't going to stop the o-ring in the HECU from leaking and disabling the HECU (and the ABS) - it's just going to stop the vehicles from burning to the ground. The HECU and the ABS will still be non-functional, decreasing owners' safety, and increasing the likelihood of loss of control of the vehicles and the likelihood of a crash. The HECU (the part alone) can cost $2000, and the owners will be responsible for that repair. Hyundai/Kia should be forced to repair or replace the HECUs in the affected vehicles, instead of implementing a band-aid fix. This just proves that Hyundai/Kia is more interested in saving money than taking care of their customers.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Sep 1, 2022
My car is affected by recall 17V773000, though it is not listed. Dealership refusing to fix.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that it was discovered the vehicle would not start due to a battery that was fully drained. After recharging the battery, the rear brake lights remained illuminated even while the vehicle was turned off. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the brake light stopper pad had failed causing the brake lights to remain illuminated. The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V773000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 30,000. The contact stated that they paid to have the battery replaced.
Service brakes, Oct 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start up. The contact stated that the ABS, the check engine and traction control warning lights, and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where she was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. Additionally, there was an ABS module electrical short. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,136.
Service brakes, Sep 9, 2021
The break pedal stopper pad deteriorated causing break lights to constantly illuminate.
Air bags, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 5, 2021
THE ENGINE LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON AND ENGINE WAS TAPPING STALLING AND I SMELLED BURNT MELTED PLASTIC SMELL. THE OIL LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON AND OFF. THE FUEL WAS CONSUMED QUICKLY THAN NORMAL. I HAD BRAKES REMAING ENGAGED WHEN FOOT NOT PRESSING PEDAL AND COULD FEEL CONTACT TO ROAD. ENGINE HAS FAILED CAR WAS MOVING.
Steering, Wheels, Service brakes, Mar 1, 2021
SLOW TO STOP WHEN COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY SLOWING DOWN
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Oct 21, 2020
I DIDN'T GET THE RECALL FOR THE BRAKES IN 2018 RADIO JUST WENT OUT LAST YEAR FOR NO REASON WINDOW ON PASSENGER JUST STOPPED WORKING
Service brakes, May 30, 2020
MY BRAKE PEDAL STOPPER FOR MY BRAKE LIGHTS CRUMBLED. *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Mar 2, 2020
TL* HE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATE WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION. ADDITIONALLY, THE GEAR SHIFTER COULD BE SHIFTED WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SOUTH DADE KIA (17120 SOUTH DIXIE HWY, MIAMI) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL STOPPER PAD WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STOPPER PAD WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V773000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,400.
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Feb 6, 2020, crash
WHEN HAD MY ACCIDENT IN ON GOING TRAFFIC MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY,MY BRAKES SYSTEM WENT OUT, ALSO MY HORN DOESN'T WORK, AND MY CV AXLE MESSES UP AND CAN'T FIND ANOTHER CV AXLE.
Service brakes, Sep 3, 2019
MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF LAST WEEK AND I FOUND THAT THE STOPPER WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THEM OFF WAS BY REMOVING THE BRAKE SWITCH BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN RECALLED (17V773000), BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOW DO I GET MY VIN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL?
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.
Service brakes, Jun 27, 2019
THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. FORTE BRAKE PEDAL STOPPERS AND SWITCHES COULD BE FAULTY. THE MATERIAL FOR THE STOPPER CAN FALL APART OVER TIME AND ALLOW THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH PLUNGER TO REMAIN EXTENDED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED.
Air bags, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 10, 2018, crash
I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A CORNER STORE PARKING LOT. AS I WAS TURNING THE ACCELERATER DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. I PUSHED THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY AND IT STILL PULLED FORWARD. I IMPACTED THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE STORE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WALL OF THE STORE. ALSO DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR HEADLIGHTS, FENDER, TIRE WELL LINING AND MORE. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON OR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I JUST RECEIVED A LETTER TODAY IN THE MAIL ABOUT RECALL ISSUES. KIA HAS NOT WARNED ME OF ANYTHING AND I TAKE MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED I'M TRYING GET HELP WITH THIS. I'M LOOKING FOR LAWYER NOW BECAUSE I JUST GOT THIS INFORMATION. AFTER OWNING THIS CAR SINCE 2012. I'M WORKING ON THE CLAIM NOW SO THE FULL REPORT IS NOT DONE.
Service brakes, May 16, 2018
BREAK LIGHT STILL ON WITH OUT PRESS THE PEDAL
Power train, Exterior lighting, Traction control system, Service brakes, Apr 17, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN PROMPTED. FURTHERMORE, UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK POSITION, THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE HAD TO BE ENGAGED IN ORDER TO SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 7, 2018
WHEN DRIVING THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATE. THE BULBS IN THE TAIL LIGHT BURN OUT FREQUENTLY ON AVERAGE OF 60-90 DAYS..
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Sep 7, 2017
THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE CAR GOES OUT OFTEN SINCE I BOUGHT IT, MORE COMMONLY THE RIGHT SIDE. I HAVE REPEATEDLY CHECKED AND REPLACED FUSES AND BULBS. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT WON'T LAST A MONTH BEFORE SOMEONE TELLS ME MY BRAKE LIGHT IS NOT WORKING. THIS IS A HAZARD. I HAVE NOT FOUND ANY ISSUES WITH THE WIRES OR FUSES, BUT THROUGH RESEARCH FOUND EARLIER MODELS OF THE KIA FORTE HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE PROBLEM BEING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BY THE PEDAL. KIA NEEDS TO FIND A FIX FOR THIS AND DO A PROPER RECALL.
Service brakes, Jun 10, 2015
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN APRIL 2014 AND SINCE THEN I'VE HAD ABOUT THREE TIMES WHERE THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AS I'M APPROACHING A LIGHT AND THE CAR ACCELERATES AND LURCHES FORWARD, AGAIN, WHILE BRAKING. ANOTHER TIME, JUNE 8, 2015, I WAS DRIVING AND APPLIED THE BRAKE TO AVOID A DIP IN THE ROAD AND IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE SLIPPING AND THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING. IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED, BUT IF THERE WERE A CAR IN FRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT IT. THE MOMENTS ARE NOT CONSISTENT BUT WHEN THEY HAPPEN, IT IS A SERIOUS CONCERN.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Mar 16, 2015
I WAS PULLED OVER BY A [XXX] AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT EXACT PROBLEM ON 2009-2010 MODELS BUT THERE WAS NOT ONE YET ON 2012 MODELS. MY TAIL LIGHTS WORK, BUT MY BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Nov 19, 2014
LEFT REAR BRAKE "WORE OUT" AND THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS SUGGESTED TO BE REPLACED. THE REAR AXLE BRAKES WERE AT OUR COST. KIA REGIONAL CLAIMS THIS IS "NORMAL" AS THE DEALERSHIP (FICCILLO KIA, LIVERPOOL, NY) SAYS THEY HAVE "SEEN THIS BEFORE." THAT BOTHERS ME. IF IS A KNOWN PROBLEM...........? KIA REGIONAL HAS STOPPED RESPONDING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 1, 2014
SEPTEMBER 24TH AT 6:30 A.M. TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON 91 FREEWAY. START TO SLOW AND THEN STOP FOR TRAFFIC. TRAFFIC STARTS TO SPEED UP AND MY VEHICLE GOES INTO ?LIMP MODE?. CAR REV METER GOES UP TO ABOUT 5, BUT CAR WILL NOT GO FASTER THAN APPROX. 35 MPH. THEN WITHIN 20 SECONDS CAR SURGES FORWARD AND REGAINS SPEED AND REV COUNTER DROPS TO NORMAL. TAKE CAR TO KIA DEALER ITS PLUGGED INTO THE COMPUTER. AT 3PM HE SAYS THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES. HE AND I TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE FOR APPROX. 20 MILES AND IT DOES NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I ADVISE HIM THAT IT HAS DONE THIS TWICE BEFORE BUT ONLY FOR A FEW SECONDS. OCTOBER 1 AT 6:40A.M I AM TRAVELING TO WORK ON THE 91 FREEWAY. I AM DOING 65 MPH AND START SLOWING DOWN TO APPROX. 20 MPH AS I PASS THE 55 INTERCHANGE. AGAIN TRAFFIC SPEEDS UP RAPIDLY. I AM IN THE MIDDLE LANE. I ACCELERATE AND IT GOES INTO ?LIMP MODE?. THE CAR WILL NOT GO FASTER THAN APPROX. 35/40 MILES PER HOUR. THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON. CARS ARE GOING PAST ME AS I AM IN A MIDDLE LANE AND I NEARLY GET REAR ENDED AS A CAR BEHIND ME DOES NOT REALIZE MY SPEED. I PULL INTO THE SLOW LANE JUST IN CASE I NEED TO PULL TO THE HARD SHOULDER. I CONTINUE SLOWLY 5 MILES TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY BY WORK. I NOTICE A BURNING SMELL. I GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND SMELL A VERY STRONG SMELL OF BURNING THAT SMELLS ALL OVER BUT APPEARS TO BE VERY MUCH STRONGER ON THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE AREA. I TURN THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN I TURN THE ENGINE BACK ON THERE IS NO WARNING INDICATOR ON. *TR