2012 KIA FORTE Complaints

View complaints related to 2012 KIA FORTE. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 300 complaints submitted for the 2012 KIA FORTE. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2012 KIA FORTE
    - Washington , PA

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA FORTE
    - Richmond HTS, OH

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA FORTE
    - Warren, MI

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA FORTE
    - Longwood, FL

    My car is affected by recall 17V773000, though it is not listed. Dealership refusing to fix.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA FORTE
    - Chandler, AZ

    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.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 KIA FORTE
    - Milwaukie, OR

    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.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 KIA FORTE
    - Boynton Beach, FL

    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.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2012 KIA FORTE
    - Ingelwood, CA

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA FORTE
    - Muskegon , MI

    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

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2012 KIA FORTE
    - Bella Vista, AR

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE