2012 Kia Forte Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Kia Forte has a complaint index of 87, ranking 3rd worst among 16 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate at 58% of complaints, with 4 recalls covering engine fires, airbags, and brakes.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 87/100
- #3 of 16 Forte years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 292
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 20
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 23
- Injuries
- 16
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 25 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 3
Top 2012 Kia Forte problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engines have caught fire while the vehicle sat parked and powered off, with racing or surging noted beforehand.
- Vehicles have lurched or accelerated unexpectedly at low speed while the brake pedal was applied, with the throttle seeming stuck.
- Airbags have failed to deploy in frontal and rear-end crashes, including at least one fatal collision.
- Fires have started in the engine compartment with visible smoke residue on windows, sometimes self-extinguishing before help arrived.
- Floor mats have been reported to interfere with braking and accelerator operation, contributing to crashes.
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?
- NHTSA data shows the 2012 Forte has a complaint index of 87, the 3rd highest (worst) among 16 model years of the Forte, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What is the main problem with the 2012 Kia Forte?
- Engine problems make up 58% of complaints for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 100,000 miles.
- 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 many recalls does the 2012 Kia Forte have?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 Forte, covering brakes, engine, and airbags.
- Are airbags a problem on the 2012 Kia Forte?
- Airbags account for 13% of complaints, with 37 reports and 15 crashes, including cases of non-deployment; a related recall, 18V363000, covers airbag control unit issues.