2012 Kia Forte Koup problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (11) · Vehicle Speed Control (1) · Power Train (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Forte Koup model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2023-09-25 · campaign 23V652000 · 1,730,192 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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 can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Engine 2020-12-02 · campaign 20V750000 · 294,756 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module 2018-06-01 · campaign 18V363000 · 507,587 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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 crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Fix: 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 Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages 2017-12-01 · campaign 17V773000 · 134,366 vehicles
Defect: 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 without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
Risk: 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 accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condit
Fix: 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 for this recall is SC158.
Service bulletins (32)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-02-19 · TSB_CS2312_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin prov
Structure:body 2025-12-19 · CS2311_OWNR_PC201 · Other
customer satisfaction campaign: postcard owner renotification (cs2311) - this document is the owner renotification advising that kia is conducting customer satisfaction campaign. kia has developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade and can be installed at the ignition
Power Train 2024-05-16 · TSB_TRA046_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced.
Structure 2024-02-22 · CS2311_TSB_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector & decal installation (cs2311) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provid
Equipment 2023-03-20 · CS2305L_OWNRYD · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customer satisfaction campaign: owner notification - this document is the owner notification advising that kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly to certain kia vehicle owners. these devices can help deter a theft attempt. we are making this device available to customers fr
Power Train 2022-11-18 · TSB_TRA046_R3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart
Showing the 6 most recent of 32 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-06-09 · Engine“the contact owns a 2012 kia forte koup. the contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, white smoke was coming from under the hood. while the independent mechanic was starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the vehicle. the mechanic turned off the vehicle. the contact stated that prior to the smoke on a separate occasion, wh…”
2021-03-18 · Engine · 77,800 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia forte koup. the contact stated that the check engine warning light would illuminate intermittently for several months. the contact stated that the engine was previously replaced. the vehicle was taken to valley kia of fontana (16272 s. highland ave, fontana, ca 92336) to be diagnosed. the contact was informed of an e…”
2018-12-20 · Engine · 82,000 mi“while driving at 70mph on the highway heard a tapping sound from the engine. towed to the kia dealership. mechanic found that the connecting rod bearing failed, ruining the engine (2.4l). quoted $6,000 for repair. 82,000 miles. all maintenance done on time. dealer and kia corporate denied any help or that the 2.4l was defective at manufacture…”
2018-10-15 · Engine · 114,620 mi“while driving, engine made a sound like a ticking noise then just blew. oil all over the engine bay and ground. a lot of smoke coming from under the hood. would not start or do anything. glad it didn't catch fire with all the oil everywhere. had to have it towed. took it to mechanic, come to find out the engine had seized up. this happen while driv…”
2018-10-15 · Engine · 61,000 mi“i heard a knock coming from the engine and suddenly the car died while driving in the city the check engine light came on and would not start up again but the power was still on for lights, etc. i had to have it towed to the repair shop. i was told the engine is shot. after researching the kia forte i found a lot of reviews complaining of the same …”
2018-09-04 · Engine · 127,000 mi“while driving this car, i heard a knock coming from the engine!! i had it towed to a kia dealer and was told that i needed a new engine! this is unacceptable for car that is only 6 years old and all maintenance kept up to date!! i did some checking and other kia engines with similar or same engine types have been recalled. this make and model n…”
2018-08-16 · Engine · 108,000 mi“on 7/23/2016(milage 108000) i was driving my 2012 kia forte sx koup to work traveling 70 mph on the highway. 2 miles from work i began to hear a loud knocking sound . arriving at work i did a quick engine inspection but could not find anything visually wrong (leaks, smoke, loose parts) later that morning i returned to my car to test the engine and…”
2018-08-16 · Engine · 45,000 mi“i was turning left and car chugged back and forth and burning smell with a ton of gray and white smoke pouring out of back of car. fought with kia got a rebuilt engine. 2 weeks later same problem. took back to a different dealer and faulty valve was never replaced. happened again 3 weeks later. can't find anything wrong. happened again 3 weeks…”
2018-07-01 · Engine · 95,000 mi“my car started over heating at stop and go traffic so i checked everything and found out my coolant fan resister was melting..i checked to see if it was a recall on that part and it was but i dont think it was change because everything the recall web site said would happen did.…”
2018-06-11 · Air Bags · 109,381 mi“the srs light came on on this vehicle while driving, at 109,381 miles. i know there is an investigation going on, and i read that there's a recall now, but i just checked the vin both here and on kia's owners site, and both say zero recalls.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.