2012 Kia Forte problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2012 Kia Forte include 3 fatality reports, 20 crashes and 22 fires across 291 filings.

291
Complaints
4
Recalls
20
Crash reports
22
Fire reports
16
Injuries
133.2
Severity index

Severity index 133.2 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 133.2p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 4 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 97% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 160 complaints (55.0%)160 55%Service BrakesService Brakes: 52 complaints (17.9%)52 18%Air BagsAir Bags: 37 complaints (12.7%)37 13%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 32 complaints (11.0%)32 11%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 23 complaints (7.9%)23 8%HydraulicHydraulic: 21 complaints (7.2%)21 7%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 20 complaints (6.9%)20 7%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 14 complaints (4.8%)14 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE16055.0%
SERVICE BRAKES5217.9%
AIR BAGS3712.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3211.0%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING237.9%
HYDRAULIC217.2%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER206.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL144.8%

Complaints filed per year

022442012: 32013: 92014: 112015: 112016: 92017: 162018: 262019: 352020: 312021: 442022: 172023: 342024: 232025: 152026: 7 (partial year)12131415161718192021442223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20123
20139
201411
201511
20169
201716
201826
201935
202031
202144
202217
202334
202423
202515
2026 (year to date)7
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (72 against 92).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
20V75000002/12/2020ENGINEKia 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.
18V36300001/06/2018AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULEKia 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 prete
17V77300001/12/2017SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGESKia 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
23V65200025/09/2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia 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 Con

Other Kia Forte model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 12 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-03. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.