10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 12
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,373 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Kia Forte engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Kia Forte Owner Comments (Page 3 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #95

May 082021

Forte

  • 77,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car has less than 80,000 miles and I was driving it today and made a loud clicking noise. I pulled over and the car started smoking and then I heard all the oil drain out. I had a mechanic to look at it and he found pieces of the motor broke or crank casing. I had to get a tow truck to park it at my house. I have pictures but it says it's to big to upload.

- Diboll, TX, USA

problem #94

Dec 302012

Forte

  • 1,000 miles
My vehicle is driven only minimally with presently 23540 miles registered on the odometer. Since new, the engine has always experienced pre-ignition and pinging, especially under light load. I suspect a problem with the spark timing exists. The second problem is a piston slapping sound heard during cold engine operation. It is certainly not a normal sound. Both problems were reported soon after vehicle purchase in 2012. The service dealership concluded that the sounds were normal for the engine design. My concern is that either condition can lead to an engine fire.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #93

Mar 202021

Forte

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was moved onto the road shoulder. The vehicle was towed to valley-hi Kia (14644 valley center dr, victorville, ca 92395, (760) 955-0046) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine failed and needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 20V750000 (engine). The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

- Apple Valley, CA, USA

problem #92

Dec 022020

Forte

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engine light suddenly came on and engine was tapping stalling and I smelled burnt melted plastic smell. The oil light was intermittently coming on and off. The fuel was consumed quickly than normal. I had brakes remaing engaged when foot not pressing pedal and could feel contact to road. Engine has failed car was moving.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #91

Mar 262021

Forte

  • 57,000 miles
I have a 2012 Forte with 57,000 miles. It has developed a rod knock tapping noise that seems to be a safety issue with these Kia engines in their vehicles. Why is the 2.0L engine not included with this recall from January 2021? on March 26, 2021 driving down the highway the check engine light came on, which we all know is not a good thing for any vehicle. Took car to the Kia dealer were the mechanic said that he will have to breakdown the engine to troubleshoot what could be the cause of the check engine light coming on. I need Kia motors to fix these ongoing problems with their 2.ol engines.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #90

May 132020

Forte

  • 88,000 miles
I have financed a 2012 Kia Forte hatch back and on May 13th 2020 I was driving down the highway when all the sudden the check engine, check oil and all the lights came on. The vehicle started to decelerate, became hard to steer. I was able to pull over and the engine died and the car wouldn't restart. I took it to the Kia dealership and another mechanic and was told my engine had spontaneously failed. The car sat in my garage since and on 2/8/2021 I received a recall letter from Kia in the mail. I had my vehicle towed to Kia on 2/9/2021 and it has been sitting there since. I was told today that my car won't pass or fail the test and is therefore not covered under the recall and my car won't be repaired. I am now expected to keep making monthly payments on the finance note and the insurance for a vehicle that doesn't run. I need to have this issue resolved.

- Fayetteville, AR, USA

problem #89

Mar 052020

Forte

  • 62,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine has a slight knock and consistently has a rough start-up, but was not included in latest recall notice from Kia. First noticed the problem in 2017, shortly after purchasing the vehicle used. Took it to the dealership who wanted to rebuild the engine. We declined due to cost and after some internet research, knowing that this is an ongoing issue with these cars, we were hoping it would be addressed in the 2020-2021 recall. Instead, our VIN is not included in the recall and we're still driving this vehicle on a regular basis. The recall related to engine knocking, risk of fire, and other engine issues needs to be expanded to include all 2012 Kia Fortes.

- Natchitoches, LA, USA

problem #88

Nov 012020

Forte

  • 112,000 miles
Motor has a knocking sound an no longer operates

- Yukon, OK, USA

problem #87

Jan 262021

Forte

  • 170,000 miles
I was driving my car on the highway and whilst driving my car the check engine light came on which proceeded to make it hard for me to steer and completely slowed down my car and it eventually gave out on me. I wasn't experiencing any other problems. When taken to a mechanic they stated it was the engine

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #86

Mar 152019

Forte

  • 106,430 miles
Our local Kia dealership diagnosed this problem with our car on 3/15/19. 2012 Kia Forte sx 2.4L (106,430 miles, 6430 miles out of warranty) found the engine to be knocking. Found the #2 rod bearing to be severely worn and causing the engine to make noise and stop rotating. Recommend replacing the engine. The 2.4L theta II engine was not part of original recall so Kia would not replace engine and since it was out of warranty we were responsible for the cost of a replacement engine and labor. We declined, and car as sat stationary for past two years at our home. When we found out this 2.4L theta II engine was now included in a recent recall we asked Kia to provide alternatives to replacing the engine since the car has sat for two years and I no longer have faith in the reliability of this car as parts of the car are no longer in working condition and/or missing. They refused any alternatives. They wanted us to pay to have the car towed to a local Kia dealer to diagnose a problem that was already diagnosed back on 3/15/19. The original class action lawsuit over the 2.0L and 2.4L gdi engines provided alternatives to engine replacement and reimbursement for expenses associated with the engine failure (like towing), rebates, etc. Since Kia was found at fault and fined by the us government over their delay in recalling these 2.4L theta II engines and since that delay was the only reason we didn't fix this car on 3/15/19 we feel we should be compensated for our expenses and loss of transportation because of their faulty engine and their negligence in delaying the recall. Having the engine replaced now is no longer a viable option for us. We offered to purchase a new vehicle with the cost of engine replacement/labor put towards a rebate, Kia refused.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #85

Feb 232021

Forte

  • 124,433 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

To whom it may concern: I took my 2012 Kia Forte to a local dealership in shreveport, Louisiana(orr Kia) upon receiving a important safety recall by Kia motors America, Inc. Upon completion of my recall I was notified that the ticking/ knocking noise from the engine that has a odor smell to it was decline by techline because of a outside warranty. I'm not satisfied with this decision because the warranty clearly state vehicle's engine, engine noise, fuel smell, burning smell, etc. That may be related to an engine mechanical issue. At various times the engine light comes on and off.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #84

Feb 132021

Forte

  • miles
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?

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #83

Feb 042020

Forte

  • miles
I bought my 2012 Kia Forte brand new. Well..I don't understand why this engine has not been recalled. It makes a horrible ticking noise like its about to blow up and I was told the engine needs to be replaced. My mileage is 96,000. My dim headlights keep blowing as well. And its something electrical. Kia needs to be responsible and go ahead and recall because I have the same engine as the one thats been recall but they say mine isn't listed in the recall.

- Cedartown, GA, USA

problem #82

Jan 312021

Forte

  • 83,500 miles
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.

- Inkom, ID, USA

problem #81

Jul 092019

Forte

  • 99,500 miles
At about 99,500 miles, my 2012 Kia Forte 2.0-L car began making a loud ticking sound, which I thought was the valve lifters. However, after taking it to the dealership, they diagnosed it, using a stethoscope, and determined it was the wrist pin on the piston connecting rod. In my opinion, this car is a safety hazard and should be immediately recalled for safety reasons.

- Kewaunee, WI, USA

problem #80

Sep 012020

Forte

  • 153,000 miles
My 2012 Kia Forte 2.0L engine keeps making a ticking, knocking noise. Took it in for service and the dealer said that they could not locate the issue, but that I may just need an oil change. Oil was severely low, even though oil was just changed. There were no leaks identified. Also, my car has a jerking issue when accelerating. The car sometimes gets thrown forward without a check engine light being thrown. This especially happens on the interstate, or if the car has been driven for longer than 20 minutes. This is an extreme safety issue.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #79

Dec 292020

Forte

  • 79,000 miles
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.

- Brighton, IL, USA

problem #78

Sep 232020

Forte

  • 102,347 miles
My car has a 2.4 L engine in it the engine is failing it has a bearing problem I have it at Kia dealership and they're telling me it's not involved in the recall and I don't see how it's not because it's the 2012 2.4L and at the same car same motor and the same problem as me going on.

- Grapeview, WA, USA

problem #77

Dec 172020

Forte

  • 90,000 miles
Developed a very subtle ticking noise in 2018, happening mostly at low speeds, gone after warm up. Took it to dealership (napleton's in urbana, il), and was told they could not locate any noise and didn't find any impact on drivability. I continued driving the car, with regular oil changes (all my maintenance was done at the dealer), until September 2020, when the noise became very very noticeable, at all speeds and almost constant. Because I had moved to California, I took it to another Kia dealership in oakland and they said they can install a used engine replacement (with 30 K miles on it already) for a minimum of 6200 before tax. I thought they were kidding, took it to an independent mechanic because they didn't even do so much as change the oil in that visit.... well the independent mechanic agrees on the rod bearing being on its way out and that the engine can seize at any point. The independent mechanic tore down the engine to diagnose it. I now have to pay more than the car's worth to ensure it doesn't seize at highway speeds and kill someone, or have to sell it for scraps, despite installing brake pads, rotors, a new evap canister (cracked and failed smog test in California)and purge valve just this year alone. The vehicle is dangerous to drive now. Kia needs to fix this. These engines need to be replaced under warranty. Forums are full of failed Kia Fortes from 2012, some much earlier than mine. 93.5K miles since buying it in August 2013).

- Emeryville, CA, USA

problem #76

Dec 212020

Forte 4-cyl

  • 132,846 miles
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.

- Fontana, CA, USA

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