10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 13
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,035 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 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #105

May 152017

Forte

  • 77,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, he heard an abnormal clattering sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found; however, the engine oil was changed. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed the contact that he had to pay the cost for the oil change and an oil consumption would be performed. The contact declined. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer several times and the engine was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown recall unless the VIN was included. A case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

- New Iberia, LA, USA

problem #104

Jul 012021

Forte

  • 62,000 miles
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.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #103

Jul 122021

Forte 4-cyl

  • 112,903 miles
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.

- Basking Ridge, NJ, USA

problem #102

May 282021

Forte

  • miles

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

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.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #101

Jun 202021

Forte

  • miles
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.

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #100

May 272021

Forte

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

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #99

May 272021

Forte

  • miles

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

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.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #98

May 272021

Forte

  • miles
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.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #97

Apr 012021

Forte

  • miles
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.

- Bigelow , AR, USA

problem #96

May 172021

Forte

  • miles
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!

- Carbon Cliff, IL, USA

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
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
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

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