8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
42,250 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
2012 Kia Forte engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Kia Forte Owner Comments

problem #5

Apr 012023

Forte EX 4 Cycl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

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

First of all the damn driver window electrical is messed up doesn't want to stay up. My car is leaking oil wants overheat all the time and my antifreeze disappears all the time and see no leaks from it. I do see oil leaking on my engine. I bought used for $5,000. I don't have money to buy another one and I wonder if the person I bought it from put something in Engine cause of a blown head gasket. we want something do e about these pieces of crap. I also have other issues under area where maybe motor mounts and or something to do with drive shaft areas .

Update from Aug 21, 2023: Tried to turn car on didn't want to start then it started making a weird noise and the key was out of the ignition then it started smoking and smelling .it was going to catch on fire and the neighbor disconnected my battery .

- Gina T., Tucson, US

problem #4

Mar 012013

Forte I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles

Initially, the oil would empty entirely in a few days time. I took it back to the dealership, and they tightened a bunch of bolts. Now I still lose oil, down to about 1 quart low in a two weeks time, but it doesn't get any lower after that. The dealership claims that this sort of thing is within factory tolerance. So my "solution", such as it is, is to stop and buy a quart of oil on the first payday of every month and add it to my engine.

Other than this oil issue, I love the car.

- Eric K., Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #3

Nov 102013

Forte EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,374 miles

I bought this car new, right off the lot. I've never had any problems until I took it in to have two tires replaced on November 4, 2013. My car was inspected and recommendations made. Two days later the oil symbol showed. Before I could get to a stopping spot, the car started knocking and cut off. I am having it towed to a Kia dealership today.

- pamelageorgia, Elberton, GA, US

problem #2

Oct 282013

Forte GDI 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,370 miles

click to see larger images

oil leak oil leak oil leak

Less than 15,000 miles and have a timing cover oil leak. Kia uses a sealant and not a gasket with sealant. I’m taking it to the Kia repair tomorrow where I get my oil change and have them fix or look at it. If they can not do anything with it or repaint it incorrectly I’ll take to the Kia manufacturer at 487-9, Ihwa-ri, Ujeong-eup, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. And have them look at it or fix it.

Update from Nov 6, 2013: Took the car to Kia repair and the guy cleaned it up, tightened 3 screws and applied sealant to where it was leaking from. Then he told me to take the car to the Kia manufacturer in Inwa-ri if it starts leaking again.

- Thomas C., Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, South Korea

problem #1

Aug 132012

Forte EX 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles

I was hesitant about my choice over vehicles, since i had not bought new since 2004. Then i got a pontiac grand prix it has 385000 miles on it and still driving it. replaced transmission and spark plugs at 325000 nothing could compare. this car oil covered the engine dripping from radiator! what in the hell its brand new there should be no problems. I wish i never made his purchase i new it was a mistake right away. its foreign made in korea i should have bought american made. its in the shop now. I had to wait on their roadside service for 3 hours, with one bar left on phone, raining and n ot near anything. never been so mad. They kept saying it was on the way and we will have to check car first to see if they would give me a loaner. dont think so, after over a 3 hour wait, called at 10:15, arrived at dealer 1:30. Yeah,you know i had a loaner waiting, i was so pissed!!!!!!!!!! I wish i could get rid of the car how about they take it back!!!!

- Yevonne L., Lascassas, TN, US

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