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
292 reports, newest first.
Engine, Oct 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE EVAPORATOR CANISTER WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Electrical system, Jun 28, 2016
THE ALTERNATOR ISN'T CHARGING THE BATTERY FULLY ACCORDING TO MY VOLTMETER. ACCORDING TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP I JUST NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. THIS IS THE 3RD BATTERY ALREADY. LUCKILY THE CAR SEEMS TO DIE AFTER IT IS PARKED. ALSO WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN ONCE AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED AND RADIO CUT OUT. HOPING IT IS JUST A FREAK OCCURRENCE BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS WEAK.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 3, 2016
I BOUGHT A 2012 KIA FORTE EX HATCHBACK WITH 60,000 MILES ABOUT A MONTH AGO. TWO INSTANCES HAVE OCCURRED WHICH I BELIEVE MIGHT BE RELATED. FIRST TIME I WAS TRAVELING @ 65MPH AROUND A 50MPH CURVE ON CRUISE CONTROL. I HIT A BUMP, AND CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF AUTOMATICALLY. NO BIG DEAL, I JUST PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND RESET THE CC AFTER THE CURVE. HOWEVER, YESTERDAY, I WAS NEARING THE BEGINNING OF A MERGE RAMP TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE. I WAS TURNING AND ACCELERATING WHEN I HIT A POTHOLE AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. INSTEAD OF MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE, I COASTED @ 5-10 MPH UNTIL I COULD REACH THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED THE KEY OFF AND THEN IMMEDIATELY STARTED THE CAR BACK UP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS AND THE CAR RAN LIKE A TOP. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND I AM LUCKY I DIDN'T GET REAR-ENDED (THIS WAS AN ON/OFF RAMP, SO CARS WERE PILING UP BEHIND ME AND HONKING DUE TO MY SLOW SPEED). I HAD THE CAR CHECKED BY A MECHANIC BEFORE I BOUGHT IT AND HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO CEL, THERE WAS A CODE IN THE COMPUTER FOR THE 'YAW' SENSOR (HE TOLD ME IF THE CAR RUNS OK, HE WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT REPLACING IT). KNOWING THIS, I HAVE TURNED OFF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL IN HOPES THAT THE ISSUE IS RELATED AND WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN IF THE ESC IS OFF. CAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE AND WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF BY PREVIOUS OWNER.
Engine, May 17, 2016
BACK IN APRIL 2016 THE HOSE THAT TRANSFERS TRANSMISSION FLUILD WAS RECALLED I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO HAVE IT FIXED. ON 05/16/2017 MY CAR STARTED SHIFTING WEIRD AND THEN (WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WITH MY TWO MONTH OLD DAUGHTER) IS NOW LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE HOSE IS BROKE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FLUID AND BROKEN HOSE IT SHIFTS OUT OF CONTROL AND STALLS.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 15, 2016
ECO BOOST TO LOUD AND VIBRATION ON ENGINE.
Structure, Engine, Mar 10, 2016, crash, fire
I REAR-END A SUV AT 50 MILES PER HOUR, HIT MY NOSE AND MOUTH ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FRONT END IS SEVERELY DAMAGE, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE, FLUIDS WERE LEAKING BUT NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 31, 2016
JUST RECENTLY (WITHIN THIS MONTH) I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN I TURN ON MY BLINKER EITHER WAY, OR STEP ON MY BREAK MY RADIO OR MUSIC FROM MY PHONE CUTS OUT. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME AND I DO NOT NOTICE IT HAPPENING AT A PARTICULAR SPEED. IT HAPPENS MOSTLY ON THE FREEWAY BUT I JUST NOTICE IT DID IT ON A SURFACE STREET TODAY. MY HEADLIGHTS AND MY INSIDE ROOF LIGHTS FLICKER ALSO. HAD A FRIEND CHECK IT OUT AND HE SAID HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. CHECKED ALL THE WIRING FOR CORROSION, SOMETHING GROUNDING WHERE IT SHOULDN'T BE, CHECK MY BATTERY VOLTAGE AND MY TRANSMISSION. CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IT BEING AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE DUE TO ME DRIVING 100+ MILES A DAY, 6 DAYS A WEEK. LAST THING I NEED IS FOR MY CAR TO CATCH FIRE...
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 21, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AS HE WALKED OUTSIDE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WINDOWS WERE BLACK FROM THE RESIDUE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF BEFORE THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 11, 2015
BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING. TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WORKING FINE, BUT BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL. NO FUSE ISSUE.
Air bags, Oct 11, 2015, crash
THIS IS A CORRECTION TO A COMPLAINT FILED LAST WEEK. I CHECKED NO ON THE FATALITIES QUESTION. THE KIA WAS IN A SERIOUS FATAL FRONTAL IMPACT BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. KIA TESTED THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE AND IT HAD NO FAULT CODES AND DID NOT RECORD ANY CRASH DATA. KIA HAS THE MODULE NOW. THE OTHER CARS AIRBAGS WORKED AND THE DRUNK DRIVER SURVIVED...UPDATED 10/15/15 *BF ...UPDATED 12/29/15 *BF THE DATA SHOWED THAT THERE WERE NO STORED OR DIAGNOSTIC FAULT CODES. THERE WAS NO CRASH RECORD RECORDED BY THE ACU. UPDATED 4/18/18*JB *JS *JS
Air bags, Oct 9, 2015, crash
THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE FRONT SEAT AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THE PASSENGER WAS KILLED AND THE DRIVER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. KIA WAS INFORMED AND THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO BE NOT WORKING.
Engine, Jul 18, 2015
ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, JUNE 5-JULY 17, 2015 OUR KIA FORTE 5 DOOR HATCHBACK FAILED TO START. TOW COMPANY PERSONNEL ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START THE CAR WITHOUT SUCCESS. CAR WAS TAKEN TO TWO SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. REPAIRS WILL NOT BE MADE UNTIL THE CONDITION CAN BE REPLICATED. AFTER SITTING FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD (1-3 DAYS) THE CAR WILL START. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY ON JUNE 23RD AT THE SUGGESTION OF A TOW TRUCK DRIVER WHO REFUSED TO TOW US. HE RELATED THAT IN HOT WEATHER KIA CARS OFTEN WILL NOT START IF THE BATTERY IS WEAK. WITH A NEW TOP OF THE LINE BATTERY, ON JULY 17TH THE CAR REFUSED TO START. WHEN THE 105 DEGREE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO 90 DEGREES, THE CAR STARTED. WE ARE STUCK WITH A NEW CAR THAT WILL NOT START RELIABLY IN HOT WEATHER. DEALERS CANNOT FIX IT. OUR WARRANTY IS "VALUELESS". KIA CORPORATE HAS ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER AND WE ARE SEEKING REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. UNTIL THIS HAPPENS, WE ARE FRIGHTENED TO TRUST OUR KIA IN OUR REMOTE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAIN LOCATION WHERE BEING STRANDED CAN BE LIFE THREATENING. WE HAVE MADE A $21,000.00 MISTAKE AND LEMON LAW COURT IS OUR ONLY RECOURSE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 12, 2015
MY 2012 KIA FORTE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RACING, AND ACTING LIKE IT IS OUT OF GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. I ALSO GET PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS: I GET TOLD THAT THEY'RE OUT WHEN THEY AREN'T. I DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES ON MY VEHICLE. IT STARTED IN APRIL, 2014, AT FIRST OCCASIONALLY, BUT NOW IT IS ALMOST CONSTANT. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT FOUND AND FIXED, I AM IN DANGER OF LOSING MY TRANSMISSION AND WORSE....UPDATED 12/10/15 *BF
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.
Equipment adaptive/mobility, May 6, 2015
THEIR CONDITION HOLD ON A 2012 KIA FORTE BROKE HAVE TALKED TO OTHER OWNERS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE KIA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS OVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD THAT THE BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE DID NOT COVER THE AIR CONDITIONING HOSE. I THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND HAVE A RECALL TO REPAIR ALL THE HOSES ON THE KEY IS THE BREAK. *TR
Air bags, Apr 13, 2015, crash
MY DAUGHTER WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND CAUSING HER TO HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.............
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 10, 2015
I WAS PULLED OVER BY TRANSIT POLICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. IF THE PROBLEM FALLS TO THE WARRANTY THEY WILL DO IT, BUT I STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CHECK-UP. MY TAIL LIGHTS WORK, BUT MY BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE. IS THERE A RECALL? *TR
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
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO EXCEED 2000 RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Dec 30, 2014, crash
THE CAR GOT A FLAT TIRE WHILE TAKING A CURVE AND HIT A CONCRETE POLE. THE CAR WAS TOTAL LOSS AND ALL THE FRONT PART WAS SMASHED. THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG WAS THE ONLY TO DEPLOY BUT DID NOT DEPLOY ALL THE WAY, SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOYED. DRIVER GOT A CLAVICLE FRACTURE. ....UPDATED 01/23/15 *BF UPDATED 2/11/16 *JS
Tires, Dec 30, 2014
WHILE DRIVING A 2012 KIA FORTE EX WITH 21000 MILES AND NEXEN 195/65/15 CP671 TIRES,, A FRONT TIRE SEPARATION OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. 10 DAYS LATER A REAR TIRE SEPARATION OCCURRED ALSO DURING NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING. *JS
Visibility, Dec 13, 2014
MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. I CHECKED AND NOTHING HIT IT, JUST EXPLODED. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE LOUD EXPLOSION. *TR
Structure, Nov 26, 2014
THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING AROUND 45MPH AND I HIT A BUMP ON THE ROAD AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN REAR HATCH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE REAR HATCH AND IT HAD COME OPEN WERE IT WAS AJAR BUT THE HATCH HASN'T BEEN USED IN A COUPLE DAYS. THE SECOND TIME A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING I HIT A BUMP AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THIS TIME I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY JUST TOLD ME TO CLOSE IT HARDER AND I HAVE CLOSED IT HOW I WAS SHOWED EVER SINCE, BUT IT STILL HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE A MONTH AFTER I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP. *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
Wheels, Oct 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE RIMS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.