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 5 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #65

Jul 012019

Forte

  • 170,000 miles

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

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.

- Palmyra, IN, USA

problem #64

Oct 262020

Forte

  • 184,000 miles
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

- Mc Louth, KS, USA

problem #63

Sep 012018

Forte

  • 100,000 miles
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.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #62

Aug 142020

Forte

  • 2 miles

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

Engine knocking & clicking. There was a recall on the engine from Kia for these models. It happens on startup and fades after driving awhile

- Iowa City, IA, USA

problem #61

Nov 192019

Forte 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
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 #60

Jul 162020

Forte 4-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
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.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #59

May 022020

Forte 4-cyl

  • 126,312 miles

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

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.

- Taylor, TX, USA

problem #58

May 012020

Forte 4-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
Engine failure at 71,000 miles. Zero prior issues. Not covered by Kia due to transfer of ownership and the lack of warranty beyond 60K.

- Searcy, AR, USA

problem #57

May 042020

Forte 4-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
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

- Joppa, MD, USA

problem #56

Mar 042020

Forte

  • 145,000 miles
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.

- Norwalk, CA, USA

problem #55

Mar 122018

Forte

  • 90,000 miles

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

They said there is metal scrap in the cylinders and it is everywhere online that they spontaneously shut off while driving because of it and have been known to cause a fire. This vehicle has the same symptoms as what people describe online and I refuse to drive it.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #54

Feb 072020

Forte

  • 116,000 miles
Turn on the car and the engine started making a loud knocking noise. I was told the engine needs to be replaced. I have always taken the car in for regular scheduled oil changes and maintenance services.

- West Covina, CA, USA

problem #53

Dec 152019

Forte

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that after pulling into the driveway, there was an abnormal noise coming from the engine which caused the vehicle to stall. The contact stated that the engine ceased and was unaware if the check engine warning light had illuminated. In addition, the contact attempted to start the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to start. Joey griffin Kia 3249 N church St, rocky mount, nc 27804, was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

- Nashville, NC, USA

problem #52

Dec 272019

Forte

  • 78,000 miles
Purchased my Kia Forte 2.4L hatchback used 5 years ago with 42,000 miles on it. I have had no problems with the car and have changed to oil at the recommended intervals and participated in the manufacturer recommended maintenance at certified Kia dealers only. In between oil changes, oil level never decreased so there were no leaks. I was driving home on a 3-hour trip when the engine started to develop a rattling noise. I pulled over to check the fluids and exposed belt and no issues. The rattling grew more noticeable from a rattling to a grinding noise (60-70 mph) and then the malfunction indicator light came on. Within minutes the engine completely shut off, power lost and speed decreasing without a way to accelerate. I was on a busy Virginia highway and was able to pull onto the shoulder. Towed to certified Kia dealer who stated that once they opened the oil pan, chunks of metal came out and there were gaping holes in engine block. Clearly this engine is facing the same terrible fate of the other engines recalled by Kia; why wont they admit and recall the Kia engines? as second owner, car is no longer covered under warranty.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #51

Dec 012018

Forte

  • 80,000 miles
2012 Kia Forte koup driving on a 45mph road when without warning engine seized causing dangerous situation attempting to pull car to side without power. Took vehicle to delearship for warranty service as car was still under warranty was denied warranty service for ludicrous refusal to accept maintenance records because I scanned the originals and would not hand over the originals. Vehicle was in perfect running order and I provided video evidence showing Kia video I happened to have shot just a few weeks before the engine failed demonstrating car was running perfect without any shakes, rumbles, odd noises and absolutely no "service engine" or other warning lights. Kia took 2 months to even give me a preliminary decision that would not cover the repairs with no offer to assist with a loaner car or rental or any other assistance. Opened engine up to find metal shavings and other remnants from manufacture floating around in oil pan. Upon investigating a little further discovered that Kia needs to held accountable not only for the gdi theta engines that have been recalled under SC147 but also the mpi model engines like I have in my car. In the recall Kia claims metal shavings from manufacture of the crankshafts on the gdi engines caused the issues.......however, the exact same crankshaft down to the part numbers are 100% identical. Please I implore you to hold Kia accountable not only for the gdi engines but also the mpi as well. They both use the exact same part Kia claims had issues and Kia continues to lie and not honor their warranty.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #50

Nov 282019

Forte

  • 100,955 miles
I bought my 2012 Kia Forte 2.0L with 30,000 miles 3 years ago. I now have 100,955 miles. Maintenance has been kept up and vehicle has been working fine with no issues. My husband was driving and was at a stop light when the car just shut down. When you would turn the key you would here 1 click and then nothing. We bought a starter because we tested the starter on the vehicle and it was bad. Still even after replacing the starter you would only hear one click. I had a mechanic come look at the car only to tell me that my engine has locked up. Says its caused by poor maintenance and/or bad design. He said the first thing he checked was the maintenance and everything was perfect on the car, but again my engine was locked up.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #49

Oct 142019

Forte

  • 116,000 miles
Ive been driving my car for several weeks with poor performance, rough starts, and bad fuel economy. On my way to work one morning, my check engine light appeared. Later that day I took it advanced auto parts and got a 'P200A' code. I took my car to a nearby shop and had a diagnostic done which cost me $103.19. I purchased the vcm motor assembly which also cost me $244.25. Once I removed the old part I realized that the plastic piece that connects into the manifold was completely disintegrated.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #48

Oct 022019

Forte

  • 112,000 miles
Vehicle has a severe internal engine knock and will require rebuilding or replaced. It has 112,000 miles and has been serviced at the required intervals with Kia specified products. 2.0 liter engine.

- Lenoir City, TN, USA

problem #47

Aug 112019

Forte

  • 93,000 miles
Kia, Hyundai theta 2.4 engine failure, under 100K miles. I have a 2012 Kia Forte hatch sx with the 2.4 engine. I purchased it from sunset Kia of auburn valley wa with 66,000 miles not quite 3 years ago. In that time I've put about 30K miles on the car. I've had the oil changed regularly, and it has never been low. Last week, on August 11, 2019, while driving to work the engine seized on the highway. I lost power steering and brake assist. I was able to pull off the road without causing an accident, but only because of the time of day. Had it happened during heavier traffic a significant accident could have occurred. From online research it appears that this is a common problem for this car and others that that use the same theta II engine. This car/engine should be recalled.

- Marysville, WA, USA

problem #46

Jul 312019

Forte

  • 151,000 miles
I had bought the car used 5 years ago with 36,000 miles on it. I have had no problems with the car for the at time span. I had changed to oil at the recommended intervals using oem oil filters and full synthetic oil. I was driving home from work when the engine started to develop a rattling noise. As I made a left turn onto a country road traveling at a speed of 45mph the rattling had got more noticeable and the engine had a lost of power. Eventually the rattling turn into a metallic crunching noise before the engine completely shut off on its own. I had pulled to the side of the road to further inspect the problem and that is when I had discovered engine oil coating the engine compartment and leaking onto the ground. The engine would not restarted leaving me stranded on the side of the road until a tow vehicle had arrived.

- Grafton, OH, USA

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