2012 Kia Forte Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 2012 Kia Forte, and owners have filed 292 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 2012 Kia Forte
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Service brakes, hydraulic: control unit/module Park outside
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which…
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk,…
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Engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In…
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Air bag/restraint control module (air bags)
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle…
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Pedals and linkages (service brakes)
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved…
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number…
292 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2012 Kia Forte have filed 292 complaints with NHTSA; 20 describe a crash and 23 describe a fire. Reports cite 16 injuries and 3 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 83,377 miles. Complaints peaked in 2021 with 44 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“VEHICLE & INCIDENT DETAILS * Vehicle: 2012 Kia Forte Hatchback * VIN: KNAFU5A26C5641380 * Incident Date: August 21, 2026 * Relevant Recalls: NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 (Recall SC284) & NHTSA Campaign 20”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 18, 2026 · Engine
“Airbag light came on August 21, 2026. I tried several steps to troubleshoot with no resolution. I took it to the local Kia dealership for further inspection. I was terrified to drive the vehicle becau”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 28, 2026 · Air bags
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2012 Kia Forte (Forte Eco, Forte Koup). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 26–30 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 22–27 / 30–35 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars, Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2/2.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 6-spd; Manual 6-spd |
Compare Kia Forte model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Forte model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Kia Forte | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 Kia Forte | 3 | 221 |
| 2011 Kia Forte | 3 | 153 |
| 2012 Kia Forte | 4 | 292 |
| 2013 Kia Forte | 5 | 195 |
| 2014 Kia Forte | 3 | 444 |
| 2015 Kia Forte | 1 | 260 |
| 2016 Kia Forte | 1 | 136 |
| 2017 Kia Forte | 3 | 305 |
| 2018 Kia Forte | 3 | 136 |
| 2019 Kia Forte | 2 | 147 |
| 2020 Kia Forte | 0 | 77 |
| 2021 Kia Forte | 2 | 69 |
| 2022 Kia Forte | 1 | 28 |
| 2023 Kia Forte | 3 | 63 |
| 2024 Kia Forte | 0 | 26 |
Checking a specific 2012 Kia Forte
How do I know if my 2012 Kia Forte has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 2012 Kia Forte; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kia dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 17V773000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Kia models
- Sorento10,183 complaints
- Optima7,512 complaints
- Soul5,553 complaints
- Sportage4,699 complaints
- Sedona2,410 complaints
- Telluride2,026 complaints
- Sephia1,705 complaints
- Rio1,291 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.