2012 Kia Forte: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2012 / kia / forte
known issues	5 clusters (reviewed 2026-09-03)
complaints	291 on file (2012-04-18 → 2026-08-28)
recalls	4
investigations	4
fars	97 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Corrosion-related brake line failure under recall 23V652000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC17 complaints2022-07 → 2026-08kia-forte-2012-brake-line-corrosion-recall

11747944 My vehicle is a 2012 Kia Forte EX. The vehicle experienced a corrosion-related brake line failure that affected braking performance and created a safety concern. The brake pedal became soft/sank, and the vehicle had unsafe braking behavior, requiring repair at a Kia dealership
11594200 The contact owns 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

Engine knock, rod bearing damage, or failureENGINE98 complaints2019-03 → 2026-03kia-forte-2012-theta-ii-engine-knock-failure

11460226 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
11420376 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
11377821 BACK IN 2018 MY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT MY ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I'VE HAD KEPT REGULAR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH THE 2012 FORTE USES HYUNDAI AND KIA'S

Brake pedal stopper pad deterioration, brake lights stay onSERVICE BRAKES4 complaints2019-06 → 2021-09kia-forte-2012-brake-pedal-stopper-pad

11432264 The break pedal stopper pad deteriorated causing break lights to constantly illuminate
11222910 THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. FORTE BRAKE PEDAL STOPPERS AND SWITCHES COULD BE FAULTY. THE MATERIAL FOR THE STOPPER CAN FALL APART OVER TIME AND ALLOW THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH PLUNGER TO REMAIN EXTENDED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED

Airbag warning light illumination and clock spring failureAIR BAGS5 complaints2023-07 → 2026-08kia-forte-2012-airbag-warning-light-clock-spring

11760319 Airbag light came on August 21, 2026. I tried several steps to troubleshoot with no resolution. I took it to the local Kia dealership for further inspection. I was terrified to drive the vehicle because of the airbag failure. I explained to the technician that I had read that
11547250 The air bag light came on. I brought it to the dealer and was told it was the clock spring. I was charged over $700.00 for this repair. It appears that other years of the same make and model had problems with the clock spring as well and received an extended warranty. I want to
11534580 Recall #SC165,for the airbag frontal deploy module failure was fixed but now the same problem along with the airbag malfunction indicator light is illuminating on my dash. Kia won't call me back or email me back when I asked them if this is something they will fix again since

Airbag non-deployment in a crashAIR BAGS3 complaints2019-06 → 2021-07kia-forte-2012-airbag-non-deployment-crash

11424308 I was injured in a crash that happened Saturday at 232pm . My airbags did not deploy at 45 mph. Old women did a u turn into me. I was in left lane . I crash driver side front into her passenger doors. My steering is damaged and my side fender was hooked inward along with my side
11291822 WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR AT A SPEED THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY BUT NONE DID. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON 12/26/19. I WAS HEADED SOUTHBOUND ON MINNESOTA AVE IN SIOUX FALLS, SD. I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN EAST WHEN A CAR HIT ME FROM BEHIND. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY
11220465 I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED BY KIA OF THE RECALL. I WASN'T AWARE OF THE RECALL UNTIL I RESEARCHED MY VIN NUMBER FOR INFORMATION FOR MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT MAY 11TH 2019 WITH A FRONT SIDE IMPACT AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
291	2012-04-18	2026-08-28	20	22	ENGINE:160; SERVICE BRAKES:52; AIR BAGS:37; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:32; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:23

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
20V750000	02/12/2020	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.	An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.	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.
18V363000	01/06/2018	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.	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.	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.
17V773000	01/12/2017	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES	Kia 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 continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.	If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.	Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC158.
23V652000	25/09/2023	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.	An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.	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.

Investigations all years →

action_number	status	subject	components	opened	closed	recall_campaign	summary
AQ23002	open	Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE	2023-11-17	·	·	The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
DP22003	closed	Loss of Motive Power	ENGINE	2022-09-12	2023-12-12	·	The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain
EA21003	closed	Engine Fires	ENGINE	2021-12-22	2024-02-05	23V877	On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine
PE18003	closed	Air bags may be disabled during crash	AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE	2018-03-16	2019-08-30	18E043000	The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai Sonata, MY 2012-2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. ODI also evaluated data from the automotive air bag system supplier, ZF-TRW (ZF), to review vehicles that may contain the same air bag control unit (ACU) used in the subject vehicles. Hyundai Motor America (HMA) issued recall No. 18

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	97	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2012 Kia Forte vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/kia/forte

@misc{wrenchpro_2012_kia_forte_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2012 Kia Forte},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/kia/forte}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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