KIA FORTE KOUP · model year

2012 KIA FORTE KOUP

17 NHTSA complaints, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012KIAFORTE KOUP carries 17 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 FORTE KOUP is engine with 13 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (1) and power train (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 38 investigation files overlapping the 2012 FORTE KOUP, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

17
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

17 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE13
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
POWER TRAIN1
AIR BAGS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1

Recalls (4)

23V65200025/09/2023

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

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

20V75000002/12/2020

ENGINE

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.

17V77300001/12/2017

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

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 c

18V36300001/06/2018

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

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 deploy

Recent Complaints

20250609ENGINE

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, while the contact's daughter was driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had caused the battery, starter, and knock sensor to fail. The vehicle was repaired for the prior failures. The contact stated that after the most recent failure, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the engine had failed and damaged the battery, starter, and knock sensor. The independent mechanic replaced the battery, starter, and knock sensor. Additionally, the engine needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine); but

20210318ENGINE

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 ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC CODE THAT WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONSUMPTION VALVE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,800.

Mileage: 77,800

20181220ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 82,000

20181015ENGINE

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 THING ON THE 2012 FORTE. NOW WITH THE RECALLS FOR THE OTHER KIA ENGINES WITH THE SAME OR SIMILAR ENGINE TYPES, THIS MAKE AND MODEL NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED!!!

Mileage: 61,000

20181015ENGINE

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 DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. SPEED LIMIT 70. IT WAS LIKE THE ENGINE WENT BOOM. GLAD I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE TO BE ABLE TO GET THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE. LOST ALL POWER AND UNABLE TO CONTROL CAR. MECHANIC HAD TO ORDER AND WAITING ON USED ENGINE COMING FROM CALIFORNIA TO PUT INTO CAR. WILL COST 4000.00 FOR THIS REPAIR. STILL OWE ON THIS CAR TOO.

Mileage: 114,620

20180904ENGINE

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 NEEDS TO INCLUDED!!

Mileage: 127,000

20180816ENGINE

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 COULD HEAR THE SAME NOISE. I DECIDED IT WOULD BE BEST TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC. VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED UNTIL 07/25/16. MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER DISCOVERING A BAD ROD. MECHANIC ALSO CONTACTED KIA TO SEE IF BY CHANCE THEY WOULD OFFER AND EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT KIA WOULD NOT REPAIR ENGINE SINCE IT HAD PASSED THE 100000 MILE WARRANTY. (JUST 8000 MILES OVER WARRANTY !!!!!!) MY WIFE AND I DECIDED TO BITE THE BULLET AND HAVE THE ENGINE REPAIRED. $4300 AND ONE WEEK LATER MY VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME. I NOW SEE ALL OF THESE NEWS STORIES ABOUT KIA CATCHING FIRE AND OTHER HORROR STORIES ON THE NHTSA WEBSI

Mileage: 108,000

20180816ENGINE

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 LATER AND THIS TIME SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL WAS SO INTENSE YOU COULDN'T SEE IN BACK OF CAR. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT I JUST NEED TO DRIVE IT MORE. I AM A MOTHER TO 3 YOUNG KIDS. THE CAR SMELLS LIKE IT'S GOING TO EXPLODE AND THE SMOKE ALONE IS DANGEROUS TO WHO IS BEHIND ME.

Mileage: 45,000

20180701ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 95,000

20180701ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 95,000

20180611AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 109,381

20180605ENGINE

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP SX WITH THE 2.4 LITER THETA II ENGINE THAT IS BEING RECALLED ON A LIMITED BASIS BY KIA UNDER NHTSA SC147. A WEEK WHILE MERGING WITH FASTER TRAFFIC MY ENGINE DIED FORCING ME INTO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TRYING TO CROSS SEVERAL LANES OF MUCH FASTER MOVING TRAFFIC WITH A DEAD ENGINE. I CAME TO A STOP IN THE CENTER LANE AND HAD SEVERAL VERY CLOSE CALLS BEFORE OTHER VEHICLES HAD TO SWERVE AT THE LAST SECOND TO AVOID HITTING ME. MUCH LIKE THE COUNTLESS OTHER EXAMPLES OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE THETA II ENGINE SEIZING OR SPINNING ROD BEARINGS MY ENGINE SEIZED SOLID EVEN THOUGH I METICOUSLY FOLLOWED THE PRESCRIBED MAINTENANCE INTERVALS KIA SUGGESTS. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH I WAS DISMAYED TO SEE HOW WIDE SPREAD THIS ISSUE IS AND CANNOT FATHOM WHY KIA IS PERMITTED TO ONLY RECALL SOME VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME ENGINE AND NOT OTHERS. I VERY STRENUOUSLY URGE THE NHTSA TO EXPAND UPON RECALL SC147 TO INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS ENGINE

Mileage: 80,000

20180605POWER TRAIN

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP SX WITH THE 2.4 LITER THETA II ENGINE THAT IS BEING RECALLED ON A LIMITED BASIS BY KIA UNDER NHTSA SC147. A WEEK WHILE MERGING WITH FASTER TRAFFIC MY ENGINE DIED FORCING ME INTO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TRYING TO CROSS SEVERAL LANES OF MUCH FASTER MOVING TRAFFIC WITH A DEAD ENGINE. I CAME TO A STOP IN THE CENTER LANE AND HAD SEVERAL VERY CLOSE CALLS BEFORE OTHER VEHICLES HAD TO SWERVE AT THE LAST SECOND TO AVOID HITTING ME. MUCH LIKE THE COUNTLESS OTHER EXAMPLES OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE THETA II ENGINE SEIZING OR SPINNING ROD BEARINGS MY ENGINE SEIZED SOLID EVEN THOUGH I METICOUSLY FOLLOWED THE PRESCRIBED MAINTENANCE INTERVALS KIA SUGGESTS. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH I WAS DISMAYED TO SEE HOW WIDE SPREAD THIS ISSUE IS AND CANNOT FATHOM WHY KIA IS PERMITTED TO ONLY RECALL SOME VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME ENGINE AND NOT OTHERS. I VERY STRENUOUSLY URGE THE NHTSA TO EXPAND UPON RECALL SC147 TO INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS ENGINE

Mileage: 80,000

20180215ENGINE

ON THE WAY TO A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT WITH KIA FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THE CAR STALLED ON A CITY STREET. IT STARTED ROUGH AFTER AND THEN STALLED AGAIN 2 MILES AFTER THAT ON A CURVED CITY INTERSECTION. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AFTER THE SECOND STALL AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. METAL SHAVINGS WERE DISCOVERED IN THE ENGINE AND OIL. THE ENGINE ALSO SHOWED DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD AND TIMING CHAIN FROM THE METAL SHAVINGS. THE CAR NEEDS THE ENGINE REPLACED, BUT A NEW OR USED ENGINE IS NOT AVAILABLE AND I WAS ADVISED THAT A NEW ENGINE NEEDS TO BE BUILT AT A MINIMUM OF $10,000. THE CAR HAS 103,000 MILES ON IT AND ONLY WORTH $3,400 IN GOOD CONDITION. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER KIA AND HYUNDIA VEHICLES BUT MY MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED. CASE NO. 8:16-CV-01033.

Mileage: 25

20180215VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON THE WAY TO A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT WITH KIA FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THE CAR STALLED ON A CITY STREET. IT STARTED ROUGH AFTER AND THEN STALLED AGAIN 2 MILES AFTER THAT ON A CURVED CITY INTERSECTION. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AFTER THE SECOND STALL AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. METAL SHAVINGS WERE DISCOVERED IN THE ENGINE AND OIL. THE ENGINE ALSO SHOWED DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD AND TIMING CHAIN FROM THE METAL SHAVINGS. THE CAR NEEDS THE ENGINE REPLACED, BUT A NEW OR USED ENGINE IS NOT AVAILABLE AND I WAS ADVISED THAT A NEW ENGINE NEEDS TO BE BUILT AT A MINIMUM OF $10,000. THE CAR HAS 103,000 MILES ON IT AND ONLY WORTH $3,400 IN GOOD CONDITION. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER KIA AND HYUNDIA VEHICLES BUT MY MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED. CASE NO. 8:16-CV-01033.

Mileage: 25

20170927ENGINE

ROD BEARING FAILURE ON A 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP 2.4L ENGINE AT APPROX. 93,300 MILES WITH NO PRIOR ISSUES. ENGINE WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND NEVER ABUSED. BEGAN RATTLING WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY ON THE FREEWAY AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DETERMINED TO BE THE #2 PISTON HITTING THE HEAD. NO PRIOR INDICATION OF ANYTHING WRONG, NO UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISE, NO "IDIOT" LIGHTS, NO MISFIRE, NO VIBRATION, NOTHING, JUST A SUDDEN PULSING NOISE THAT WAS FIRST THOUGHT TO BE THE EXHAUST SOUND FROM A PASSING HARLEY.

Mileage: 93,300

20170907ENGINE

BOUGHT MY CAR USED FROM A DEALERSHIP AND AM THE SECOND OWNER. CAR ONLY HAD 36K MILES WHEN PURCHASED. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO SOLD ME A BOGUS WARRANTY FOR $2,995.00 FOR 36 MONTHS 60K MILES WHEN THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY GAVE ME 5 YEARS/60K. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THIS KNOCKING STARTED IN THE ENGINE AND IT WAS LOUD SO I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD HAD IT TOWED HOME. AFTER A FEW PHONE CALLS I HAD IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. I'M PRETTY PISSED ABOUT THIS SITUATION BECAUSE KIA AND THE DEALERSHIP WANT TO TAKE NO OWNERSHIP FOR THIS VEHICLE DESPITE ALL THE REPORTS I'VE READ ON LINE ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS 84K ON IT NOW BUT FAITHFUL OIL CHANGES HAVE BEEN DONE SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR. OF COURSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY AS THAT ENDED AT 60K. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME ENGINE IN OTHER KIA CARS BUT NOT THIS ONE AND I WISH I KNEW WHY. MINE HAS A THETA II - 2.4L DUAL

Mileage: 84,000

Compare 2012KIAFORTE KOUP to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP have?
The 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP has 17 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP?
The 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP?
Yes, the 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP?
The most-complained component for the 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP is ENGINE with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 KIA FORTE KOUP has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.