2012 KIA Forte Engine Problems
Owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2012 KIA Forte, 55% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 100,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “oil changes” (11% of reports).
- 161engine complaints
- 100,000median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $6,000typical repair cost reported by owners
- 47%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Oil changes: mentioned in 17 of 161 complaints (11%)
- Engine started: mentioned in 16 of 161 complaints (10%)
- Loud knocking: mentioned in 10 of 161 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the 2012 KIA Forte at $6,000, and half of them between $5,450 and $7,400.
Based on 5 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2019–2023), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 105 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 161 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 17 a fire, 3 an injury.
KIA Forte engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Forte | 8 | 31% | 39,000 |
| 2023 Forte | 9 | 14% | 49,000 |
| 2022 Forte | 4 | 14% | 12,800 |
| 2021 Forte | 22 | 32% | 93,532 |
| 2020 Forte | 20 | 26% | 53,355 |
| 2019 Forte | 37 | 25% | 16,500 |
| 2018 Forte | 57 | 42% | 67,000 |
| 2017 Forte | 145 | 48% | 69,500 |
| 2016 Forte | 66 | 49% | 67,000 |
| 2015 Forte | 158 | 61% | 86,000 |
| 2014 Forte | 216 | 49% | 93,500 |
| 2013 Forte | 107 | 55% | 85,000 |
| 2012 Forte | 161 | 55% | 100,000 |
| 2011 Forte | 45 | 29% | 105,945 |
| 2010 Forte | 74 | 33% | 100,000 |
| 2009 Forte | 1 | 100% | 120,456 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine
Problem: 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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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 addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
VEHICLE & INCIDENT DETAILS * Vehicle: 2012 Kia Forte Hatchback * VIN: [redacted] * Incident Date: August 21, 2026 * Relevant Recalls: NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 (Recall SC284) & NHTSA Campaign 20V750000 (Recall SC200) * Kia Corporate Case Number: 26367714 * Dealership: AllStar Kia San Bernardino, CA…
Vehicle: 2012 Kia Forte Recall: NHTSA 23V-652 (Kia SC284) â HECU/ABS fuse recall My vehicle underwent this safety recall in 2025. The dealership replaced the HECU fuse. Immediately upon leaving the dealership after the recall repair, the same warning lights returned. I contacted the dealership…
While driving, the engine suddenly shut off without warning. The vehicle lost power in traffic, creating a safety risk. There were no warning signs before the failure. The oil level was properly maintained and oil changes were performed regularly. The dealership diagnosed the vehicle and stated…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2012 KIA Fortes have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 161 owner complaints about engine for the 2012 KIA Forte (55% of the 292 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2012 KIA Forte engine?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 100,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the 2012 KIA Forte?
Owners report a typical cost of $6,000 (half paid between $5,450 and $7,400), from 5 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2012 KIA Forte?
The most frequent phrase is “oil changes”, in 17 of 161 complaints, followed by “engine started” (16).
See all 2012 KIA Forte problems or engine problems across all Forte years.