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.
Drove my 2012 Kia Forte for about half a mile around our street and I started smelling burning odor and before I could guess, where the smell was emanating from, I saw heavy smoke coming out from the front and side of the hood. I frantically managed to stop and park. I tried to open the hood but I couldn't. after many tries with the heat I finally opened it. As the smoke was coming from the engine, I realized it was very hot, while other parts of the whole engine compartment was cool. When I tried to start it after 30 minutes, I saw the check engine signal on the dashboard. I simply parked car on the curve, locked it to find a tow truck. Next day called Kia Consumer Affairs department and they told me that my car is not part of the recall, after I gave them my in number. They said to check after 1/27/21, the date the current recall will be published. They said to take my car for Kia dealership and pay for repairs. They they will refund me if it is part of the recall on 1/27/21.
About a week ago car was running fine except it would shut offf while driveing on occasion and throwing no codes so matt taylor Kia could T figure out what to do with it..the car has developed a very loud knocking noise, putting off a very bad small and smok E out the exhaust, and recent oil change and we check the dip stick and oil is beyond low wich did not make any sense.the car has the 2.4 engine wich sadly is not on the recall list despite many reports of the same symptoms that ultimately lead to engine fires.I refuse to let my son get back in his vehicle this car needs added to the massive recall list on Kia motors asap before people are killed
At around 125,000 miles - I noticed a ticking sound and tapping coming from the engine on my 2.0L mpi "theta II" 2012 Kia Forte. At first it went away quickly after startup but then when it got colder that winter it got noticeably louder and is now constantly present at 157,930 miles, speeding up as I accelerate the vehicle. I brought the car to my mechanic at around 128,800 miles and he said that I would need to have the engine taken apart to do more diagnosis and that it might be better to just drive it to see if it gets worse. I've gotten documented regular oil changes since I was the owner in 2017, switching to the Kia dealership at my mechanic's suggestion after having them check out the tapping/ticking issue. These oil changes have not resolved the problem, instead it's continuing throughout the year with each winter making it slowly get worse. In doing some searches, I'm not alone in my experience and I'm apparently lucky that I've made it this long with my theta II engine. When the recall campaign began for the gdi engines I was hopeful that Kia would do the right thing and include the mpi engines. However, while they have expanded the recall to include mpi engines, they have not expanded it to include 2.0L mpi engines with the same components that can wear excessively including connecting rods/connecting rod bearings. Many 2.0L mpi owners have experienced failures, including fellow enthusiasts that love and take care of our vehicles, and I worry about the danger that can occur with a suddenly failing engine, let alone the potential fire risks. I believe that the 2.0L mpi engine Kia Forte models should also be included in the recall. I have attached documentation from parts diagrams that show the parts commonality between the 2.4 mpi and 2.0L mpi engines. I
- Red Lion, PA, USA
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I have had an engine knock for about a year and a half now and have seen all the recalls for same engines in other vehicles. My car engine has not been recalled as of yet it appears. We have the same theta 2 engines that have already been recalled.
I was driving and all of the sudden the engine made a really loud knocking noise. Unsafe to drive at this time. Has a consistent knocking in the engine when the car is running. No explanation as to what caused the issue.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving or when warming up the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the air conditioning compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure of the knocking sound recurred. The vehicle was not taken back to the mechanic or a Kia dealer. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 20V750000 (engine) and stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
2012 Kia Forte koup car will shut off while driveing and very loud knock in the engine took it to Kia in lancaster Ohio vehicle throwing no codes why is this engine not included in the recall I have seen others ask the very same question for exact vehicle
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 'theta II' engine. The theta II engines could have catastrophic failure due to a manufacturing process issue. Sure enough I did indeed have engine failure and had to pay an arm and a leg to replace my engine. Now I fear that this second engine will follow suit. Only some models fell under the recall but Kia really needs to consider the 2012 Forte models and any other model that falls in range. Definitely a safety issue and Kia needs to be responsible! I had to call emergency services to respond to make sure the fire went out.
Driving when it stalled along with minor smoking from engine area on sevaeral occasions. I contacted my local Kia to see if they may have insight as to what mihjt be the cause only to be told they would need to indspect car along with a hefty hourly fee. And within several days it stalled, the engine came on then died. I towed car home. It woul start and run for appr. 2 minuteswith a very loud knocking noise. I then had to have it towed to mechanic shop to have it checked to be told it was blown due to throwed rods and would need an engine replacement wgich I did have done. It was brought to my attention by the shop to the issues Kia had had and was having with the theta engine as thats what my car had. Ive contacted the main Kia office with my issue and complaint only to be told my car was not on the recall list and they couldd not assist me and declined any other calls ive triedto place to them.
I bought my 2012 Kia Forte with about 9,000 miles in 2014. I used good pennzoil synthetic oil and did regular oil changes. My engine started ticking at about 110,000 miles. I wrote it off as a ticky lifter. At 184, 000 miles my oil light came on. I pulled over and checked oil. Less than a quart low, so I filled it. 5 miles later car dies and won't turn over again. Mechanic says engine locked up. Then I read online that this 2.4 theta engine has been recalled in later model Kia and Hyundai. But not in early years because of some code number. Give me a break. Kia needs to pay up before someone gets killed.I am calling everyone I can to keep this issue out there. Make them do a recall. Nbc news is next on my list. I was on a city street going about 30. Luckily not pulling out in front of someone
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the engine was emitting a sound like that of a diesel engine. The contact stated that the engine was revving at high speeds. The contact stated that there was a loud clunking sound while starting the vehicle. Several unknown dealers were contacted were contacted and the contact was informed that the issue was common with similar vehicles. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that there was a known issue with the crank bearing however, there was no recall on the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
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.
Engine has developed a knocking sound at idle upon cold start. Suspect connecting rod bearings are failing, similar to the current 2.0L theta engine recall. Oil and filter has been changed every 5K miles since new. The 2.4L theta II engine needs to be included in the current recall.
I was driving down the highway at 70mph and my car bogged down, immediate loss of power then shut off in the middle of the highway. Got some help to push it to the shoulder, and got a wrecker to tow it home. Found engine had sized up. Seems to be a common issue with Kia's and this engine. Called local Kia dealer and they said the Forte series was not apart of the recall even though it's the same engine in other series with the same engine problems.
Start it with a ticking noise that was persistent every time we turn the car on and eventually just blew up in the middle of us driving down the road. Kia is not helping there is no recalls for this model car or issue and we are just being ignored. Finally got a call back from the mechanic to find out that Kia stopped making this model engine because they had so many issues for it but yet no recall there's no possible way to fix our car now good job Kia you suck #kiasucks
Back in 2017 I needed to have the engine on my Kia repaired after only financing it for about a year due to loud knocking my oil levels were up to par. Present day, 2020 I am having the same exact issue once again. As I was driving in the freeway I felt a weird shift followed by loud knocking coming from my engine.
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- Elyria, OH, USA