2012 Kia Forte Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
86/100
#3 most-complained of 15 Forte years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2012 Kia Forte ranks 3rd worst of 15 model years, with a Complaint Index of 86 and an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate at 58% of complaints, with 4 recalls covering engine fires, brakes, and airbags.
- Complaints
- 292
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 20 / 23
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 3
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 25 city / 34 hwy
Top 2012 Kia Forte problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine170 (58%)
- Brakes53 (18%)
- Electrical System47 (16%)
- Airbags37 (13%)
- Other22 (8%)
- Fuel System11 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (4%)
- Steering9 (3%)
- Structure & Body9 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report engine compartment fires starting while the vehicle was parked and powered off, with the engine racing before catching flames.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal and rear-end crashes, in some cases despite serious front-end damage.
- Some drivers describe sudden unintended acceleration combined with brakes that felt unresponsive, leading to collisions at low speed.
- Electrical system fires were reported after the vehicle sat parked, with no clear cause found by dealers before a fire occurred.
- Structural damage was described as severe in crashes where airbags did not fully deploy, resulting in injuries to the driver or passengers.
2012 Kia Forte recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 20V750000Dec 2, 2020Engine294,756 vehicles
Engine
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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 18V363000Jun 1, 2018Airbags507,587 vehicles
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
2012 Kia Forte fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Forte years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Kia Forte reliable?
- Compared to other Forte model years, 2012 ranks 3rd worst of 15 with a Complaint Index of 86 and an Avoid verdict. Engine complaints make up 58% of all reports for this year.
- What problems does the 2012 Kia Forte have?
- NHTSA data shows 292 complaints for the 2012 Forte, led by engine issues (170 complaints, 58%), brakes (53 complaints, 18%), and electrical system problems (47 complaints, 16%). Median mileage at failure across complaints was 81,800.
- Does the 2012 Kia Forte have an engine fire recall?
- Yes. Recall 20V750000 covers 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, and other models for engine compartment fires that can occur while driving.
- How does the 2012 Kia Forte compare to other years?
- The 2012 Forte's Complaint Index of 86 is worse than most other years; only 2014 (100) and 2017 (93) score higher. Years like 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024 rank as Best with Complaint Index values under 15.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Kia Forte?
- EPA rates the 2012 Kia Forte at 28 mpg combined (25 city/34 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300.