general problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Forte - part 2

105 problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 2012 Kia Motor Forte. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Kia Motor Forte based on all problems reported for the 2012 Forte.

36 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 10/10/2022

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!.

37 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 08/21/2022

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.

38 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 07/26/2022

The contact owns a 2012 kia Forte. The contact stated their vehicle was previously involved in NHTSA campaign number: 20v750000 (engine) where they received a engine knock test as the remedy. The contact stated that at that time they had no failures with their 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 a 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 the underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact was able to put out the smoke with a fire extinguisher. The fire department did arrive and confirmed the smoke was successfully put out and there was no fire. There were no damage, injuries, or medical attention needed. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to their home. The contact then had the vehicle to the dealership 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 vehicle's approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

39 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 07/07/2022

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.

40 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 05/30/2022

So my check engine light kept coming on and my car has trouble starting. Light is now on all the time. The code says it's a intake manifold runner control. I called kia they said the part is obsolete because my car is 11 years old. It makes my engine knock and shake and kia here in parma has been no help. They originally said part was around $79 Kia Motors was able to find 1 but now dealer telling. Me it's $400 can't get check engine light off or my engine to stop shaking without the part but not when the price is tripled. It's been in kias shop for a recall and they didn't no what to do about the part or the knocking .

41 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 05/11/2022

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.

42 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 04/06/2022

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.

43 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 03/07/2022

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.

44 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2022

The car shut off (engine died) when I was driving and it wouldnt restart. The car was in perfect working condition, low miles & well taken care of, no lights on the dash or anything. I had it towed to 2 different mechanics (first was private, 2nd was a kia dealership) - they both told me I needed a new engine or I needed part of the engine fixed and told me it didn't fall under any of the recalls. From what I've read I feel like it is a manufacturer's defect due to all of the recalls on this model/engine.

45 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 01/23/2022

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.

46 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 01/20/2022

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.

47 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 12/29/2021

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.

48 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 12/23/2021

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.

49 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 12/19/2021

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.

50 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 10/05/2021

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.

51 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 08/16/2021

2012 kia Forte. Consumer writes seeking reimbursement for vehicle repairs.

52 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 08/07/2021

Two months after the knock sensor update was completed the motor quit running. Prior to this update the car was running great. Even after the motor bearings supposedly were going bad, the car did not leak or burn oil or antifreeze and had been getting 26 miles per gallon in town. Had we traded in the car before the last update we were offered $5400, now the car is only work $800 in salvage. Kia has refused to assist us in any way on this matter and we are having to seek litigation to get some sort of restitution. If you can help this would be greatly appreciated. When the motor failed the car was traveling at highway speeds and just locked up. My daughter, who is 17 and was driving could have been killed as she had to go from the left lane to the right shoulder without any power or power assisted brakes/steering. This is completely unacceptable and kia would not offer any compensation in the repair of the vehicle and now is seeking a signature absolving them of any liability in this matter.

53 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 07/30/2021

Driving on highway the car made a noise and stalled. Pulled over and all the oil was on the highway. Kia dealership said a piston in the engine blew and a rod broke and made a hole in the engine block. Car is less than 10 years old. Car has 98,000 miles. Kia refuses to replace the engine because I’m not an original owner. The whole engine needs to be replaced.

54 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 07/12/2021

The contact owns a 2012 kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 20v750000 (engine) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,903.

55 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2021

The contact owns a 2012 kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that smoke was coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the engine seals needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 20v750000 (engine). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

56 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 06/20/2021

Car was stalling. Engine light was not turning on, so I was unclear of issue. Took car to dealership on Tuesday, June 29th, at 9am for repair. Engine has recall. Car has since been at dealership, following repair test failure. Dealership refuses to offer loaner vehicle, but states repairs could take up to 3 weeks, as they have to wait for new engine to be delivered. I am without a vehicle and should not have to pay for a rental, as the damage is fault of kia.

57 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 06/12/2021

The contact owned a 2012 kia Forte . The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.  the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.  the contact stated that while her grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed. The contact's grandson stopped the vehicle and noticed a glow coming from under the front hood. The contact's grandson and his brother exited the vehicle. The vehicle burst into flames. The contacts grandsons flagged down a nearby driver and asked them to call the fire department. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was condemned total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.  .

58 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 05/28/2021

Purchased a used 2012 kia Forte koup 2. 4l on 02/05/21. 4 months later, I was driving vehicle when I experienced engine failure. Towed to dealer who discovered a hole in the bottom of engine block. Needs new engine. Kia tested the ecu and sent the results to corporate kia. 8 weeks has past with no update on replacing the recalled engine under warranty. Now trying to file claim under extended warranty. Cannot afford to replace engine out of pocket. Engine failed 4 months after purchasing.

59 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 05/27/2021

Was driving to work and the engine threw a rod out the block.

60 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 05/27/2021

This complaint it about Kia Motors. My motor sent a rod through the block due to a recall. However, I called a week before because of rod knock that started on 05/22/21(blew 05/27/21) , I was told parts were ordered. A week after I was told that the engine blew. I towed it to a dealership (05/28/21) its been an additonal 2 and a half weeks with no update as to when itll be repaired, no loaner offered. Ive already lost one job because of kia's lack of quality control. This engine failure is common and I believe common enough to not have to wait this long for work to be done.

61 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 05/27/2021

Was driving to work, motor developed rod knock and later blew up due to the knock. Which was caused by one of the recalls for this vehicle.

62 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 05/16/2021

My kia Forte has 94k miles on it started making a ticking noise took it to a mechanic he said you need a new engine, excuse me??? looked online tons of people are having the same issue why no recall ???? please help!.

63 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 03/31/2021

2012 kia Forte ex 2. 0 i4 126k miles daughter driving car to college, inside of vehicle filled with smoke, car engine stalled while on hwy 430 in the middle of a construction zone. Barely made it to the shoulder of the road. I was close buy, I went and loaded up the car and took it home. Once home, I turned the ignition to on, to check for warning lights, none present! I looked under the car and could see oil! I looked all over the engine and discovered oil was coming from oil dipstick tube. I pulled the dipstick the rest of the way out and could see extreme metallic particles in oil. I drained what oil was left and the oil pan was full of fine metallic debris. I went ahead and changed the oil and started the car and the engine has an extreme knock, due to a common kia failure. Faulty rod main bearings. Contacted kia and they told me to kick rocks. There’re corporate managers stated, “ I could care less if you ever bought a kia and I could care less that the rod bearing failure is premature or a design flaw. We will not honor nor fix it. ” this engine is in multiple kia brands, they have recalled and replaced thousands of them. Since this engine is in a Forte, they stated my VIN wasn’t in the selected range of defective engines. Even though, other models with the same engines are! kia needs to stand behind and fix their faulty engines. My Forte never had a “check engine “ light come on. The knock sensor never sent the car into limp mode and the vehicles pcm never acknowledged an issue to alert the driver of an impending disaster. Not only is my engine defective by kia, they tampered with the vehicles software to where the knock sensor would never sense an impending problem, until the engine exploded in the consumer's face. Otherwise, the knock sensor would have alerted to an impending problem! not one check engine light, not one ever came on! a computer scan also showed no stored codes, no active fault codes and no pending fault codes.

64 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 02/13/2021

I have a 2012 Forte with 103000 miles. It has developed a rod knock that seems to be a safety issue with these vehicles. Why is the 2. 0 engine not included with this recall?.

65 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 01/31/2021

The motor blew a rod threw the bottom of the block. Car only has 83,500 miles on it. Was traveling at 80 mph on interstate.

66 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 12/29/2020

Bought 2012 kia Forte about two months ago. A couple weeks ago it started a knock noise. A couple days after the noise started I took it in for a scheduled oil change hoping the noise would improve. It has gotten worse, now I'm waiting for my next appointment to get my car looked at and I'm scared to drive it. I was aware of engine recalls on 2. 4l Hyundai engines, as we own a sonata that was affected. I did not know that 2. 0l engines had been recalled. I don't understand how 2. 0l in the Forte are not included.

67 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 12/21/2020

I previous report number 11384011, pictures uploaded: driving to repair location on freeway and the car starting smoking and burst into flame from the engine. Managed to stop and got out of the burning car. I immediately called fire service who came and stop the burning. Car towed to kia dealership facility.

68 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 12/16/2020

Drove my 2012 kia Forte for about half a mile around our street and I started smelling burning odor and before I could guess, where the smell was emanating from, I saw heavy smoke coming out from the front and side of the hood. I frantically managed to stop and park. I tried to open the hood but I couldn't. After many tries with the heat I finally opened it. As the smoke was coming from the engine, I realized it was very hot, while other parts of the whole engine compartment was cool. When I tried to start it after 30 minutes, I saw the check engine signal on the dashboard. I simply parked car on the curve, locked it to find a tow truck. Next day called kia consumer affairs department and they told me that my car is not part of the recall, after I gave them my in number. They said to check after 1/27/21, the date the current recall will be published. They said to take my car for kia dealership and pay for repairs. They they will refund me if it is part of the recall on 1/27/21.

69 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 12/08/2020

I have had an engine knock for about a year and a half now and have seen all the recalls for same engines in other vehicles. My car engine has not been recalled as of yet it appears. We have the same theta 2 engines that have already been recalled.

70 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 12/06/2020

2012 kia Forte koup car will shut off while driveing and very loud knock in the engine took it to kia in lancaster ohio vehicle throwing no codes why is this engine not included in the recall I have seen others ask the very same question for exact vehicle.



Safety Ratings of Forte Cars
Fuel Economy of Forte Vehicles
Forte Defect Investigations