10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
14 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 3
Average Mileage:
34,290 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Kia Forte:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Kia Forte Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #32

Jun 062023

Forte

  • miles

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

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 the first fix failed for this same issue" And randomly while driving I smell a electrical burn smell but no smoke? When I was leaving for work that morning and I stared my car the indicator light came on and never has gone off since that day"

- Spokane Valley, WA, USA

problem #31

Jan 302018

Forte

  • miles
The contact called on behalf of his wife who owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the passenger-€™s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under Kia Campaign Number: SC165; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear brake lights failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the brake light bulbs needed to be replaced. The contact stated that he replaced the rear brake lights bulbs twice himself. Additionally, the contact stated that he had replaced the brake light switch. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was it was diagnosed that engine oil was leaking and the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. The part was replaced, however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #30

Aug 182021

Forte

  • miles
My airbag light is on took it to dealership when the airbag recall came out to have it check and got it back with airbag light on. And when it rains water gets in the trunk and also my passenger and driver side floor board gets soaked it has begun to show signs of mold this really concerns me due to the fact i have health issues and having to drive a car with mold growing in it is a huge issue

- Oliver Springs, TN, USA

problem #29

Jul 102021

Forte

  • miles

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

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 mirror being hit i thought my airbags recall issue was solved. Im in back and neck pain i went to hospital after and had xrays were the doctors where astonished by my non deployment when i told them the speed and showed photos

- Groveland, FL, USA

problem #28

Dec 022020

Forte

  • 120,000 miles
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

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #27

Mar 052018

Forte

  • miles
I purchased the Kia from a car dealership with fake carfax. I was told that it's a excellent condition and working vehicle no problems or recalls. I got a car loan on it and a week later I received a recall letter and. Kia never repaired it I told the bank and car lot and they demand more money from and I should them that they were informed about this before I bought it and they repo my car and still left me on the dmv records stating I have the car and forcing me to pay the loan and is triple my payments

- San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

problem #26

Nov 192019

Forte 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles

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

March of 2020 we bagan noticing a knocking noise coming from the motor upon cold starts which increases as the idle speed increases. Also makes the same knocking noise while engine is at running temperature. Upon further investigation it has been determined to be a connector rod or connector rod bearing issue. This is a known defect of the theta II motor. Also around the same time the vehicle had the same problem as recall SC158 brake pedal stopper pad. We were informed that it was not a safety issue and had to pay out of pocket for the repair expense. The vehicle came out of park with engine off and keys not in ignition, almost causing collision when car rolled into street. Again, Kia stated that was not a safety issue.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #25

Jul 312020

Forte

  • miles
It says on here there is an active recall I just purchased the car today

- Merrill, WI, USA

problem #24

May 062017

Forte

  • 70,000 miles
When had my accident in on going traffic my air bags did not deploy, my brakes system went out, also my horn doesn't work, and my cv axle messes up and can't find another cv axle.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #23

Dec 262019

Forte

  • miles
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 car to spin 270*. shattered the rear driver window. Bent frame. But no airbags deployed

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #22

Jan 042018

Forte

  • miles

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

The steering wheel clicks really bad. My steering wheel components are no longer working. The airbag light has also come on with these issues.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #21

May 112019

Forte

  • 141,000 miles
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 deemed totaled. I suffered mild whiplash and concusion. I was turning left to go down an isle in a parking lot when I was struck by a Chevrolet Silverado. I went to hospital May 13th when condition didn't improve * (recall related incident)

- Soddy Daisy, TN, USA

problem #20

Feb 022019

Forte

  • 114,000 miles
My airbag light is on in the car. I took my car in to the dealer for on January 10 2019 for a recall 18V363 which they completed. On Saturday Feb 2, I was running errands. When I left one of the stores, the airbag light came on in my car and stay illuminated. It has been on and off (mostly on) intermittedly since then. The light never came on before the recall repair.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #19

Nov 202018

Forte

  • miles
I have contacted the Kia dealership in tallahassee, Florida 3 times with no success at a service request for a recall. Twice was by phone where I talked to multiple people about scheduling an appointment for the recall on my car. Both times I left my name, number, and my VIN. The phone calls were 3 days apart. I then contacted them a third time using their online service request. It stated that someone would contact me within 48 hours but it has been at least 5 days.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #18

Nov 092018

Forte

  • 34,480 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (air bags) by value Kia (6915 essington ave, philadelphia, pa 19153, 215-937-1000). The contact stated that the remedy was inadequate because the air bag indicator continued to illuminate. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,480.

- Upper Darby, PA, USA

problem #17

Jul 172018

Forte

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called orlando Kia North at (888) 696-5097 (located at 625 N us hwy 17 92, longwood, fl 32750) and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #16

Aug 012018

Forte

  • 116,000 miles
I was involved in an accident where I was rear ended and then smashed into the vehicle in front of me. The air bags did not inflate and the seat belt did not lock in place. I was traveling on a highway. My vehicle was in motion at the time of the accident. There is an active recall on the Kia and it was part of the recall.

- Manville, NJ, USA

problem #15

Aug 262018

Forte

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (air bags), which indicated that the part was unavailable. When the vehicle was started, the air bag indicator illuminated and remained lit. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #14

Sep 192018

Forte

  • miles
2012 Kia Forte. Consumer writes in regards to airbag safety recall.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #13

Jun 012018

Forte

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V363000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

Read the next 12 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?