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, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 7, 2023, fire
Vehicle fire that started from the engine compartment.
Engine, Feb 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while at a stop sign, the vehicle failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.
Engine, Feb 13, 2023
i have a 2012 kia forte with 129,000 miles it started an engine knocking noise about 6 months ago im a mechanic and do regular oil changes i work at a dealership that sells kias and had them look at it they said i have the same problem as other kias being recalled to replace engine but my model doesnt fall under the recall. i looked up online and other people with same car and engine have the same issue. i think they need to be looked into. the 2.0 nu engine as being one that needs recalled also. its getting progressively worse and will cost me more to replace the engine than the car is worth. called kia usa and was told they wont do anything because car is above 100k miles.
Engine, Feb 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact's son restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle shuddered while driving and was pushed to the residence. The contact replaced the battery, but the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the timing chain and drive belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Exterior lighting, Jan 30, 2023
The contact called on behalf of his wife who owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under Kia Campaign Number: SC165; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear brake lights failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the brake light bulbs needed to be replaced. The contact stated that he replaced the rear brake lights bulbs twice himself. Additionally, the contact stated that he had replaced the brake light switch. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was it was diagnosed that engine oil was leaking and the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. The part was replaced, however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Dec 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that there was a strong gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine made abnormal knocking sounds. The contact stated that the failure occurred increasingly while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V75000 (Engine). An unknow dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine, Dec 9, 2022
I purchased a Kia Forte, 2012, in September of 2021. The engine has stalled, several times after putting gas in it and last week after filling up, gas fumes permeated the inside of the car while driving. Recently, this has started happening regularly. When I decided to investigate why this is happening, so that I have awareness of possibilities before going to the crooked dealer, I learned of the Class Action Lawsuit settlement against Hyundai/Kia specifically related to deadly engine stalling while driving and engine fires as a result of the identical problem which I am having. When I put my VIN into your site, it comes up as zero recalls, however, as you state on your site, many vehicles VINs are still updating. I did the research to learn if my vehicle fit the category of how this is happening. The dangerous defect is happening with Hyundai/Kia Theta II multi-port fuel injection (MPI) engines, Nu gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines, and Gamma GDI engines described in the combined lawsuit and all vehicles that have the defect, which adds up to 1.05 million. The vehicles involved in the Settlement are Theta II, Hyundai Tucson/ix35 (LM) (2009–2015), Hyundai Sonata (2007–2014) Kia Forte (TD) (2008–2012), Kia Optima/K5 (2008–2012), Kia Sportage (SL) (2010–2013) My 2012 Kia Forte has the 2.0L DOHC MPI Theta II multi-port fuel injection (MPI) engine listed as defective. As a female Veteran who drives 60 miles to the nearest Veteran's hospital, I am now scared to drive the car due to reports of the vehicle stalling in traffic and in my case on the California freeway where speeds normally are typically 65 to 75 mph. I have no other vehicle. I purchased this vehicle for the outstanding CarFax and Experian reports as a rental car, resulting in the highest standard and consistent servicing for years. Please rush this complaint so that I can keep my VA doctor appointments. I am scared, my VIN is KNAFU4A29C5590130. Thank you.
Engine, Nov 23, 2022
Car was at KIA dealer for engine noise with 136,000 miles. They performed the knock sensor update and said the engine noise was belts. At 150,000 miles car was at a shop for oil change. They said there are chunks in the oil and engine makes a lot of noise. At 162,000 miles car went into limp mode won’t go over 50 mph. Had car towed to KIA dealer they said the engine was covered under replacement recall. Kia emailed me a quote to do repairs on the car. The quote included a new engine under warranty for ni cost. I told them to replace belts and the engine replacement. The KIA dealer ordered the new engine and removed the old engine. Then called me and said KIA would not cover the engine replacement. I asked what my options are and they said I would have to pay $5,300.00 for new engine or put the old engine back in. This engine has been a problem for the last 2 years like millions of other KIA vehicles. This is a fire safety hazard, I was never notified of the recall!
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 4, 2022
My engine failed on me while I was driving on highway. There have been complaints about engine fires with these types of engines and engine failure as well. There’s no reason why my engine should have failed on me.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Oct 31, 2022
Unknown… The car has been having on going issues with shutting off while driving. With new battery, starter, tune up, plugs, and still no fix. The signal lights do keep busting. The headlights and brake lights. It’s expensive to keep changing the headlights that do not last more than 2 months. Driver side in particular.
Engine, Oct 15, 2022, fire
Car is not included in recall, engine noise piston knocking, loss of power. Took to dealer, dealer said this is normal. Car has loss of power on highways with excessive piston slap which is getting increasingly noiser . Engine mileage 156000. Problem was there since day one from dealer.
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.
Engine, Aug 31, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be repaired due to an engine misfire. The vehicle was then taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the engine was knocking while the diagnostic test was being performed. The contact was made aware of internal engine failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact related failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V363000 (Engine) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
Engine, Aug 29, 2022, fire
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated the vehicle was previously involved in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) where they received an engine knock test as the remedy. The contact stated that at that time they had no failures with the engine. Approximately 2 months after while driving approximately 30 mph when the vehicle began to make a loud knocking noise inside the engine. The contact decided to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and while doing so they began to smell smoke within the cabin of the vehicle. Once the contact had successfully pulled over and exited the vehicle they began to notice smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the smoke with a fire extinguisher. The fire department did arrive and confirmed the smoke was successfully extinguished and there no longer was a fire. There was no damage, injuries, or medical attention needed. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The contact then had the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle nor had the vehicle been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000. The contact stated the vehicle shut down on its own, but contact was able to veer off the road.
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.
Engine, Jun 13, 2022
I received a letter in the mail in the beginning of April about a recall. The Slave Cylinder just happened to go out at this time, so I tow it in to Kia Downtown LA on April 6th. I let them know I have recalls on the vehicle and the problem with the clutch, or more specifically the slave cylinder. They give me a estimate on how much it would be to replace the slave cylinder, so I decline the offer and asked them to just get the recalls done. That was on April 13th. We have this back and forth phone calls about when was I going to pick up my vehicle and I had to constantly remind them that I was waiting on them to call me letting me know when the recalls were finished. It took until April 22nd to find out that none of the recalls were done, after being told they are "still working" on the recalls. I go to pick up my car asking about why none of the recalls were done and their excuse was they could "not turn it on, the car was shaking, or because the clutch issue." I had to pay a fee of $189.95 for the "diagnostics" and in order for them to release the car. I get the car fixed as of June 3rd, and on that day the engine locks. The component that failed is the 'knock sensor detection system' which could have prevented the engine from locking or worst catching on fire. I very much feel that me, my spouses, and others around me on the road were not safe. There was no warning lamps on or messages on to indicate the engine was under any problem. At the same time the oil had been changed on April 1st, and they gave no indication that the car was ever leaking oil. As of June 10th the car was towed into the dealership again. I have called every day they were open, and finally got a hold of a advisor on June 13th. The same advisor as the one I had last time. He now alleges the technician "couldn't get a proper reading from the scanner" last time, and how the "PI 2002" recall has expired so they might not be able to do anything about the engine.
Engine, Apr 9, 2022
Engine has really bad knock, was taken to a mechanic and they said it has internal rod damage and needs to be replaced. The car has 125,000 miles
Engine, Apr 6, 2022
Check engine light came on. Kia dealer ran a diagnostic test on it. Says there is a knock in the lower part of the engine. Expects it is a rod knocking. Found metal filings in the valve oil filter. After replacing that oil filter, valve solenoid and adjusting the valves the check engine light came on again. This time the Kia dealer says the engine needs to be replaced.
Exterior lighting, Mar 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the brake light switch failed to operate as designed. The brake light would remain illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the light bulbs were hot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V773000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Engine, Mar 6, 2022
1 month and 2000 miles out of warranty engine started ticking at start up. 1 month later engine ticks all the time. Brought to Kia dealer and they said motor needed to be replaced.
Exterior lighting, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 23, 2022
I PURCHASE THE CAR FROM A CAR LOTIN THE CITY WHERE I LIVE I GOT THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2020 I DROVE THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS ONE OF MY HEAD LIGHTS STARTED TO SHORT OUT SO IALEVIEATED THE PROBLEM TWO MONTHS LATER A MOTOR MOUNT WENT BAD I HAD IT REPLACED AFTER THAT MY SENSOR S STARTED TO MALFUNCTION
Engine, Jan 12, 2022
On 10/31/20 my 2012 Kia Forte completely died at 49,000 miles while I was traveling at around 45 mph. I lost all power, the engine started smoking badly and I was stuck in the center of a 4 lane road with cars flying past me at around 50 mph. I had to call 911 because I could not get out of the smoking vehicle and I could not get the vehicle out of the middle of the road. The police officers had to do a pit maneuver to get me safely off to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where I originally purchased the vehicle in 9/2017. I was told after inspection that it had a severe knock sensor and catastrophic engine failure. My extended warranty company was charged for the $15000 engine that they replaced And I paid my $100 deductible. Although at the time the service department at Kia knew that this was an engine recall call situation that the manufacturer was responsible for, not my extended warranty company. My Kia forte Was in the shop for 2 months and the 1st engine they replaced did not work properly so they had to put another engine in during that period of time. Kia paid for the 2nd engine that was replaced. On January 27th of 2021 I received a notice from Kia Motors notifying me that my vehicle was part of the fire engine recall. I have had my vehicle in my possession a total of Maybe 380 days out of the last 438 since this happened. Kia corporate and the service parts Manager have been completely uncooperative, deceptive and negligent in their treatment towards me.I have gone through Maybe 25 loaner vehicles, had to bring the vehicle back 30 times, now a 4th engine is in the process of being replaced, I have defaulted on my car payments due to out of pocket expenses charged by Kia, the service department manager has stuck me with a $600 rental bill, a $250 traffic camera ticket, put me in a defective loaner that caused an accident and has now spent probably around 90k on a vehicle that is worth a fraction of that.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 30, 2021, fire
I tried starting my vehicle and it wouldn't turn over so I pulled the key out of the ignition and the engine kept running. It stopped quickly, so I thought it was weird so I tried again and it made the same vacuum type noise and started smoking, all while the key was not in the ignition. It stopped smoking but I walked away for a sec and came back and the entire place was filled with smoke and the engine had then caught on fire. I was in a parking garage so many other vehicles could have been damaged, and people could have inhaled smoke and other things of that nature. I was also concerned that it would explode and cause even more damage. There was no other signs that this would happen, my vehicle had driven fine the morning of. The car is totaled of course and was towed off.
Engine, Dec 6, 2021
The engine failed and the car broke down while driving one of the busiest highways in Texas. The engine has a risk of catch fire too apparently. I have received a diagnostic from an independent mechanic who was able to confirm the problem as total engine failure due to manufacturer oversight. (H&H Auto Repair, 512.863.4411 located at 2524 N Austin ave. Georgetown, tx 78626) The manufacturer has informed me that i can have it brought of which I will be responsible for towing the car as well as for replacing the engine, expecting to cost several thousand dollars. No police have no been involved and the insurance does not cover mechanical work. There was NO indication at all prior to failure.
Exterior lighting, Dec 3, 2021, fire
I believe that something within brake light assembly has caught fire at one time. The plastic I. Which holds the brake light bulb is melted to the point that I had to purchase a new brake light assembly because I can no longer replace the bulb because it is melted beyond repair.