Kia Forte 2012

Model Forte made in 2012 by Kia got 25 consumer complains as well as 3 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags and engine. Technical service bulletines regarding electrical system and engine and engine cooling.

Model 2012

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY - CABLES
TSB-02311/01/201110042561Kia: information has been provided regarding the replacement of the negative (-) and the positive (+) battery cable terminal for some vehicles. *pe12/16/2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
11201/01/201210043656Kia: vcm actuator replacement and ecm upgrade-td/sl 2.0/2.4l mil on with dtc p200a. *kb04/18/2012
(PWS)
TSB-119 REV-106/01/201210044946Kia: when engine is at 2000 rpm and operating temperature, it may experience, from the balance shaft module (bsm), a whistling noise. *pe08/06/2012

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
AIR BAGS
09/27/201289001
 We were driving our 2012 kia forte ex (sedan) which we had purchased brand new in december 2011 to the store to get bread and were on our way home (only about 2 minutes into the drive) when we saw smoke coming from the front of the car. we pulled over within about 50 feet of seeing it, put it in park- which by the time we did so, we lost all power and couldn't even get the key out of the ignition. we got out and my boyfriend tried to pop the hood but it was already so hot he couldn't do it... i ran about 20 feet away for safety reasons, so i am not sure where it started, but within about 30 seconds, the flames came out of the sides and front of the hood. my boyfriend thinks it was about where the fuse box is, because that is where he noticed the paint start to bubble off. he is a mechanic and has never seen anything like it. the entire front of the car, through the dash is disintegrated. my airbags melted and poured out of the dash and roof, upholstery melted off the seats, and door panels bubbled up. all the speakers blew and melted. it happened so quickly, if i had kids in the back or couldn't have pulled over in time, there could have been very serious injuries or deaths. i am very thankful it didn't happen on my way to work, as i drive in traffic on a highway with no shoulder. i had no electronic modifications. it was entirely stock, with the exception of window tint, exhaust, a lowering kit, and aftermarket tires and wheels--all which were installed by professionals. the car had 8900 miles on it and all maintenance work had been done. even 3 oil changes- even though kia claims the car can go 7k without one. my insurance company is going to treat it as a total loss and do an investigation on it. kia has a case going but have not yet sent an engineer out. *tr
09/27/20128900
 We were driving our 2012 kia forte ex (sedan) which we had purchased brand new in december 2011 to the store to get bread and were on our way home (only about 2 minutes into the drive) when we saw smoke coming from the front of the car. we pulled over within about 50 feet of seeing it, put it in park- which by the time we did so, we lost all power and couldn't even get the key out of the ignition. we got out and my boyfriend tried to pop the hood but it was already so hot he couldn't do it... i ran about 20 feet away for safety reasons, so i am not sure where it started, but within about 30 seconds, the flames came out of the sides and front of the hood. my boyfriend thinks it was about where the fuse box is, because that is where he noticed the paint start to bubble off. he is a mechanic and has never seen anything like it. the entire front of the car, through the dash is disintegrated. my airbags melted and poured out of the dash and roof, upholstery melted off the seats, and door panels bubbled up. all the speakers blew and melted. it happened so quickly, if i had kids in the back or couldn't have pulled over in time, there could have been very serious injuries or deaths. i am very thankful it didn't happen on my way to work, as i drive in traffic on a highway with no shoulder. i had no electronic modifications. it was entirely stock, with the exception of window tint, exhaust, a lowering kit, and aftermarket tires and wheels--all which were installed by professionals. the car had 8900 miles on it and all maintenance work had been done. even 3 oil changes- even though kia claims the car can go 7k without one. my insurance company is going to treat it as a total loss and do an investigation on it. kia has a case going but have not yet sent an engineer out.
ENGINE
09/27/201289001
 We were driving our 2012 kia forte ex (sedan) which we had purchased brand new in december 2011 to the store to get bread and were on our way home (only about 2 minutes into the drive) when we saw smoke coming from the front of the car. we pulled over within about 50 feet of seeing it, put it in park- which by the time we did so, we lost all power and couldn't even get the key out of the ignition. we got out and my boyfriend tried to pop the hood but it was already so hot he couldn't do it... i ran about 20 feet away for safety reasons, so i am not sure where it started, but within about 30 seconds, the flames came out of the sides and front of the hood. my boyfriend thinks it was about where the fuse box is, because that is where he noticed the paint start to bubble off. he is a mechanic and has never seen anything like it. the entire front of the car, through the dash is disintegrated. my airbags melted and poured out of the dash and roof, upholstery melted off the seats, and door panels bubbled up. all the speakers blew and melted. it happened so quickly, if i had kids in the back or couldn't have pulled over in time, there could have been very serious injuries or deaths. i am very thankful it didn't happen on my way to work, as i drive in traffic on a highway with no shoulder. i had no electronic modifications. it was entirely stock, with the exception of window tint, exhaust, a lowering kit, and aftermarket tires and wheels--all which were installed by professionals. the car had 8900 miles on it and all maintenance work had been done. even 3 oil changes- even though kia claims the car can go 7k without one. my insurance company is going to treat it as a total loss and do an investigation on it. kia has a case going but have not yet sent an engineer out. *tr
09/27/20128900
 We were driving our 2012 kia forte ex (sedan) which we had purchased brand new in december 2011 to the store to get bread and were on our way home (only about 2 minutes into the drive) when we saw smoke coming from the front of the car. we pulled over within about 50 feet of seeing it, put it in park- which by the time we did so, we lost all power and couldn't even get the key out of the ignition. we got out and my boyfriend tried to pop the hood but it was already so hot he couldn't do it... i ran about 20 feet away for safety reasons, so i am not sure where it started, but within about 30 seconds, the flames came out of the sides and front of the hood. my boyfriend thinks it was about where the fuse box is, because that is where he noticed the paint start to bubble off. he is a mechanic and has never seen anything like it. the entire front of the car, through the dash is disintegrated. my airbags melted and poured out of the dash and roof, upholstery melted off the seats, and door panels bubbled up. all the speakers blew and melted. it happened so quickly, if i had kids in the back or couldn't have pulled over in time, there could have been very serious injuries or deaths. i am very thankful it didn't happen on my way to work, as i drive in traffic on a highway with no shoulder. i had no electronic modifications. it was entirely stock, with the exception of window tint, exhaust, a lowering kit, and aftermarket tires and wheels--all which were installed by professionals. the car had 8900 miles on it and all maintenance work had been done. even 3 oil changes- even though kia claims the car can go 7k without one. my insurance company is going to treat it as a total loss and do an investigation on it. kia has a case going but have not yet sent an engineer out.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
01/21/201231001
 Bought my 2012 kia forte ex on 11/12/2011. right after my first oil change from the kia dealer. i took it home and parked it in my garage. this would have been friday 1/21/2012 . we were going to dinner on saturday 01/22/2012. and the car would not start. took 10 minutes. with gasoline smell in car. we let the air clear out. well to make a long story short. i have had this car into two different dealers and they keep telling me that they cannot find the problem due to no light or service engine soon light going off. it is now 12/21/2012. and still having issues which is a very very bad safety issue. on 12/17/2012 i was getting ready to leave and had a very bad raw gasoline smell in the car. again i called dealer and they said bring it up. so i did so. my general manager as well as fellow employees smelled the fuel odor also. general manager said to me that he felt that this was not safe to drive. now prohibiting me from parking this car near our facility. anyway i drove it to ft. wayne to the dealer with all 4 windows down until entering ft. wayne. it started raining. i had to roll them all up. at dealer. service manager smelt the terrible smell as well as an customer and technician. they went through everything not finding any problem with the tests they did. on 12/20/2012. i was told to come and pick my car up (reps order.) since they could not get this to reoccur. so in the meantime i have an baby and 2 other children and us that are put into a dangerous situation just because they cannot pinpoint this issue. the issue is an no start or misfire then the fuel smell is there for days. my fear is that the fumes will make us sick or even an explosion. i have talked to several firemen who have explained to me what may or could happen. why should i have to keep putting my family and myself into this danger? this is a major safety issue. *tr
01/21/20123100
 Bought my 2012 kia forte ex on 11/12/2011. right after my first oil change from the kia dealer. i took it home and parked it in my garage. this would have been friday 1/21/2012 . we were going to dinner on saturday 01/22/2012. and the car would not start. took 10 minutes. with gasoline smell in car. we let the air clear out. well to make a long story short. i have had this car into two different dealers and they keep telling me that they cannot find the problem due to no light or service engine soon light going off. it is now 12/21/2012. and still having issues which is a very very bad safety issue. on 12/17/2012 i was getting ready to leave and had a very bad raw gasoline smell in the car. again i called dealer and they said bring it up. so i did so. my general manager as well as fellow employees smelled the fuel odor also. general manager said to me that he felt that this was not safe to drive. now prohibiting me from parking this car near our facility. anyway i drove it to ft. wayne to the dealer with all 4 windows down until entering ft. wayne. it started raining. i had to roll them all up. at dealer. service manager smelt the terrible smell as well as an customer and technician. they went through everything not finding any problem with the tests they did. on 12/20/2012. i was told to come and pick my car up (reps order.) since they could not get this to reoccur. so in the meantime i have an baby and 2 other children and us that are put into a dangerous situation just because they cannot pinpoint this issue. the issue is an no start or misfire then the fuel smell is there for days. my fear is that the fumes will make us sick or even an explosion. i have talked to several firemen who have explained to me what may or could happen. why should i have to keep putting my family and myself into this danger? this is a major safety issue.
01/21/20113100
 I bought my 2012 kia forte ex on 11/12/2011. right after my first oil change from the kia dealer. i took it home and parked it in my garage. this would have been friday jan. 21 2011. we were going to to dinner on saturday 01/22/2012. and the car would not start. took 10 minutes. with gasoline smell in car. we let the air clear out. well to make a long story short. i have had this car into two different dealers and they keep telling me that they cannot find the problem due to no light or service engine soon light going off. it is now 12/21/2012. and still having issues which is a very very bad safety issue. on 12/17/2012 i was getting ready to leave and had a very bad raw gasoline smell in the car. again i called dealer and they said bring it up. so i did so. my general manager as well as fellow employees smelled the fuel odor also. general manager said to me that he felt that this was not safe to drive. now prohibiting me from parking this car near our facility. anyway i drove it to ft. wayne to the dealer with all 4 windows down until entering ft. wayne. it started raining. i had to roll them all up. at dealer. service manager smelt the terrible smell as well as an customer and technician. they went through everything not finding any problem with the tests they did. on 12/20/2012. i was told to come and pick my car up (reps order.) since they could not get this to reoccur. so in the meantime i have an baby and 2 other children and us that are put into a dangerous situation just because they cannot pinpoint this issue. the issue is an no start or misfire then the fuel smell is there for days. my fear is that the fumes will make us sick or even an explosion. i have talked to several firemen who have explained to me what may or could happen. why should i have to keep putting my family and myself into this danger? this is a major safety issue.
STRUCTURE - BODY
09/27/201289001
 We were driving our 2012 kia forte ex (sedan) which we had purchased brand new in december 2011 to the store to get bread and were on our way home (only about 2 minutes into the drive) when we saw smoke coming from the front of the car. we pulled over within about 50 feet of seeing it, put it in park- which by the time we did so, we lost all power and couldn't even get the key out of the ignition. we got out and my boyfriend tried to pop the hood but it was already so hot he couldn't do it... i ran about 20 feet away for safety reasons, so i am not sure where it started, but within about 30 seconds, the flames came out of the sides and front of the hood. my boyfriend thinks it was about where the fuse box is, because that is where he noticed the paint start to bubble off. he is a mechanic and has never seen anything like it. the entire front of the car, through the dash is disintegrated. my airbags melted and poured out of the dash and roof, upholstery melted off the seats, and door panels bubbled up. all the speakers blew and melted. it happened so quickly, if i had kids in the back or couldn't have pulled over in time, there could have been very serious injuries or deaths. i am very thankful it didn't happen on my way to work, as i drive in traffic on a highway with no shoulder. i had no electronic modifications. it was entirely stock, with the exception of window tint, exhaust, a lowering kit, and aftermarket tires and wheels--all which were installed by professionals. the car had 8900 miles on it and all maintenance work had been done. even 3 oil changes- even though kia claims the car can go 7k without one. my insurance company is going to treat it as a total loss and do an investigation on it. kia has a case going but have not yet sent an engineer out. *tr
09/27/20128900
 We were driving our 2012 kia forte ex (sedan) which we had purchased brand new in december 2011 to the store to get bread and were on our way home (only about 2 minutes into the drive) when we saw smoke coming from the front of the car. we pulled over within about 50 feet of seeing it, put it in park- which by the time we did so, we lost all power and couldn't even get the key out of the ignition. we got out and my boyfriend tried to pop the hood but it was already so hot he couldn't do it... i ran about 20 feet away for safety reasons, so i am not sure where it started, but within about 30 seconds, the flames came out of the sides and front of the hood. my boyfriend thinks it was about where the fuse box is, because that is where he noticed the paint start to bubble off. he is a mechanic and has never seen anything like it. the entire front of the car, through the dash is disintegrated. my airbags melted and poured out of the dash and roof, upholstery melted off the seats, and door panels bubbled up. all the speakers blew and melted. it happened so quickly, if i had kids in the back or couldn't have pulled over in time, there could have been very serious injuries or deaths. i am very thankful it didn't happen on my way to work, as i drive in traffic on a highway with no shoulder. i had no electronic modifications. it was entirely stock, with the exception of window tint, exhaust, a lowering kit, and aftermarket tires and wheels--all which were installed by professionals. the car had 8900 miles on it and all maintenance work had been done. even 3 oil changes- even though kia claims the car can go 7k without one. my insurance company is going to treat it as a total loss and do an investigation on it. kia has a case going but have not yet sent an engineer out.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
04/18/20124496
 Martin glass company (agrss registered) replaced a factory installed windshield on 04/18/2012. our technician was able to push most of the windshield out without having to cut the urethane bead. the urethane bead pulled right off the windshield, and was only adhered to about 1/3 of the windshield perimeter. this vehicle was not involved in an accident, but had it been, the windshield would not have remained intact. the safety of the vehicle occupants due to this factory installed improper installation was compromised.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
12/15/2012150
 Tl-the contact owns a 2012 kia forte. the contact noticed condensation under the front driver's side floor mat. in addition, there was an accumulation of water on the front driver's side floor area. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer two times for the problem. the technician was unable to determine the cause of the failure. the vehicle was scheduled for diagnosis by a water specialist. the manufacturer was not notified of the defect. the approximate failure mileage was 150. kmj
12/15/2012150
 Tl-the contact owns a 2012 kia forte. the contact noticed condensation underneath the front driver's side floor mat. in addition, on a separate occasion there was an accumulation of water on the front driver's side floor area. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer two times for the similar problem. the technician was unable to determine the cause of failure. the vehicle was scheduled to be diagnosed by a water specialist. the manufacturer was not notified of the defect. the approximate failure mileage was 150. js