2012 Kia FORTE: complaints, problems and recalls

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. *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 4,496 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455641 at NHTSA ↗

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…

Owner-reported narrative. 8,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10480912 at NHTSA ↗

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 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. A…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10489463 at NHTSA ↗

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. ... UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF

Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10490755 at NHTSA ↗

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 ST…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10490832 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY AND THERE WAS A LOUD BANG/EXPLOSION. I PULLED OFF AND STARTED CLOSING THE SUNROOF WHEN I NOTICED IT WAS SHATTERED AND A LARGE PIECE FELL OUT. IT WAS 58' WITH A SMOOTH ROAD AND I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH WITH NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OR TO THE SIDE OF ME. THE SUNROOF WAS OPEN ALL THE WAY AT THE TIME OF THE BREAKAGE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504478 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES AND WITH EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. ON THE FOURTH VISIT TO THE DEALER, THE GROUND WIRE WAS CONNECTED TO THE LIGHT BULB AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,263.

Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511950 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION AND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, IT WOULD NOT RELEASE TO THE FLOORBOARD UNTIL REPEATED FORCE WAS APPLIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900. UPDATED 07/16/13*LJ

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10512771 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-12-01 (December 1, 2017)

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.

Consequence: 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 condition increases the risk of a crash.

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 for this recall is SC158.

Reported: 2018-06-01 (June 1, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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 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.

Reported: 2020-12-02 (December 2, 2020)

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.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

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 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.

Reported: 2023-09-25 (September 25, 2023)

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.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

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, 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.