Engine failures and fires
The 2012 Forte has about 405 complaints per 100,000 sold and 24 fire reports. Engine failures lead.
Updated November 2026 · based on 307 owner complaints and 4 recalls
406 1.7x the Forte average
4 free to fix at a dealer
Every Forte year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2012 Forte
Top problems and what they cost
Engine failure
Knocking and engines needing replacement.
Fix: Free under recall or warranty extension if eligible; otherwise $3,500 to $6,000
Engine
Brake recall
Brake system recall.
Fix: Free under recall
Brakes
Recalls
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle cra...
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing a...
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2012 Kia Forte
- Check by VIN for open engine and brake recalls.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2012 Forte has 4 recalls on record, listed below.
- Listen for knocking.Knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine, especially when cold, can mean worn bearings, lifters or a stretched timing chain. These are engine-out repairs costing thousands.Owners filed 105 complaints about engine knocking and failure on the 2012 Forte, one of the worst years for it.
Questions
Is the 2012 Kia Forte reliable?
Engine failures and fires. The 2012 Forte has about 405 complaints per 100,000 sold and 24 fire reports. Engine failures lead.
How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Forte have?
4 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2012 Kia Forte problems?
Engine failure; Brake recall.
Crash rating shown for the 2012 Kia Forte 5 HB FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.