What 303 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Forte Koup

Engine started screeching out of nowhere, sounded like something fell through, there was no warning of any kind, car was running seemingly fine prior to this, car was jolting and not going anymore and something also sounded as if it had popped, it started knocking and caught fire and was smoking, breaking down on the side of the road and has been in another state since this occurred just sitting at a hotel because we had to get a rental car. We did call Kia in Georgia to have this issue rectified as we had recently bought this vehicle and were unaware there was a recall on it, however we did some checking and the previous owner also let us know there is a recall for engine fire. I do have the papers for that. Kia advised us they would not be responsible, but Panama City fl Kia where we live were willing to look at that car prior to this incident and take care of the recall, the previous owner never went but now the car has caught fire whilst we were driving in it 7.5 hours away from our house out of town with our children in the car. We had to pull over off of the interstate because the car was on fire and get out on the side of the road and all of had to evacuate. I do believe that if we had been going any faster, we may have even became fatalities because the car locked up. It turned off actually as I was turning to to the exit and just coasted far enough to not be hit in the middle of the road. It was terrifying and we had to move fast and smoke was starting to come through, it started dropping oil everywhere just spilling out lv its almost like the entire underneath of the motor just dropped or something. I’m not quite sure but it was sudden and it has been absolutely miserable.

NHTSA ODI 11705749

The contact's cousin owned a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked unattended by the privacy fence. The contact was alerted by her nephew and observed that the vehicle was on fire. The front windshield had shattered, and smoke was visible inside the cabin. The fire appeared to originate from the dashboard area. The contact used a fire extinguisher to suppress the flames with the assistance of her brother. The local fire department arrived on the scene and completed extinguishing the fire. The airbags deployed during the incident, and the fire department declared the vehicle a total loss. Upon investigation, the contact was able to link the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11692569

My wife got an accident in June 2022 but air bag did not work so I contacted Kia 6/22/2022 sent proof photo but just no good excuse why air bag did not work. It should be recalled for this matter. Defective airbag or sender.

NHTSA ODI 11676604

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The following day, upon starting the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal rattling sound emanating from the engine compartment, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine); the VIN was included, and parts were available. However, the dealer declined to perform the recall repair, stating that the vehicle needed to be brought in before the failure for the cost of the repair to be covered by the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11645173

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at approximately 15 MPH, as the contact was turning to the left and ascending a slight grade in the road the vehicle's rear end was swaying to the left and the right. The contact stated she was not able to regain control of the vehicle and drove off of the roadway and down an embankment. The contact was rendered unconscious. The contact stated that emergency services were on the scene and the state police. The contact stated that she was not transported to the hospital and was taken to her residence by the state police. The contact stated that the police had issued a report. The contact later was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed as having a fractured sternum, damage to her lower back, concussion, and neck damage. The contact stated that the police had the vehicle towed to an impound lot. The contact stated that her insurance provider had declared the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact stated that before the crash the vehicle had been stalling intermittently but she had not had the vehicle taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to have it diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ODI 11633113

The contact owned a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while he was occupying the parked vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and the contact noticed fire coming from underneath the hood. The contact immediately exited the vehicle. The contact stated that the hood became engulfed in fire. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The contact stated that the vehicle burned to the ground from the front end to the rear seats. There was no injury sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was awaiting to be towed and to be totaled. The contact became aware that the VIN was in included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000(Service Brakes, Hydraulic), which the contact related to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 348,000.

NHTSA ODI 11622886

The contact owned a 2012 KIA Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while her grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed. The contact's grandson stopped the vehicle and noticed a glow coming from under the front hood. The contact's grandson and his brother exited the vehicle. The vehicle burst into flames. The contacts grandsons flagged down a nearby driver and asked them to call the fire department. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000. 

NHTSA ODI 11556656

Is the car still available: UNKNOWN. The Police report saids the Engine caught fire, it was while parked and was not driven since around 7pm that night, it was inspected by Geico insurance company and by the Police Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, Case Number: 2020-00014944 Reporting Officer: 151 - Sheppard. The vehicle would have put me and my girlfriend in danger if we drove again or further that night or had it been parked in a garage. The vehicle was parked in front of my apartment and was fully engulfed in flames, my girlfriend heard an explosion and saw the car in flames on our surveillance camera. The time of total loss was around 2am that night. The Fire department extinguished the vehicle and said it was a Total loss. It was 20ft from my apartment. Other residents live and park their vehicles near mine. Other residents moved their vehicles before police arrived. The problem wasn't confirmed with Kia Motors nor the Kia Dealership: Dutchess Kia in Poughkeepsie, NY. My VIN number and car model doesn't qualify for the current engine HECU recall, Other models have been recalled except the 2012 Kia Forte EX Automatic. There were no warning lights, no signs, no messages, no other symptoms of a problem prior. Also, no phone call, voicemail, no letters, no emails was sent to me regarding this issue nor about other related models with the HECU engine or similar. Some websites say the 2012 Kia Forte EX has the HECU Engine but I'm unsure. I initially thought this was a problem with just my car but the manufacturer has since made many faulty vehicles under other models and possibly even the same model as mine that have gone unreported. I was made aware of this by videos of current and prior Kia owners, the news and car related websites. I paid off my car in Full with no compensation for the faulty engine or total loss of my vehicle. These are the videos and pictures, I can't upload them because it reaches Max file size: https://photos.app.goo.gl/cT3XrBS3R1WNYuqg9

NHTSA ODI 11530573

Vehicle fire that started from the engine compartment.

NHTSA ODI 11510690

Car is not included in recall, engine noise piston knocking, loss of power. Took to dealer, dealer said this is normal. Car has loss of power on highways with excessive piston slap which is getting increasingly noiser . Engine mileage 156000. Problem was there since day one from dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11489402

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated the vehicle was previously involved in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) where they received an engine knock test as the remedy. The contact stated that at that time they had no failures with the engine. Approximately 2 months after while driving approximately 30 mph when the vehicle began to make a loud knocking noise inside the engine. The contact decided to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and while doing so they began to smell smoke within the cabin of the vehicle. Once the contact had successfully pulled over and exited the vehicle they began to notice smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the smoke with a fire extinguisher. The fire department did arrive and confirmed the smoke was successfully extinguished and there no longer was a fire. There was no damage, injuries, or medical attention needed. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The contact then had the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle nor had the vehicle been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000. The contact stated the vehicle shut down on its own, but contact was able to veer off the road.

NHTSA ODI 11481768

I tried starting my vehicle and it wouldn't turn over so I pulled the key out of the ignition and the engine kept running. It stopped quickly, so I thought it was weird so I tried again and it made the same vacuum type noise and started smoking, all while the key was not in the ignition. It stopped smoking but I walked away for a sec and came back and the entire place was filled with smoke and the engine had then caught on fire. I was in a parking garage so many other vehicles could have been damaged, and people could have inhaled smoke and other things of that nature. I was also concerned that it would explode and cause even more damage. There was no other signs that this would happen, my vehicle had driven fine the morning of. The car is totaled of course and was towed off.

NHTSA ODI 11445553

I believe that something within brake light assembly has caught fire at one time. The plastic I. Which holds the brake light bulb is melted to the point that I had to purchase a new brake light assembly because I can no longer replace the bulb because it is melted beyond repair.

NHTSA ODI 11442512

Driving up mountain road, heard a ‘pop’ and smelled smoke-like chemical odor.lost control of steering and battery icon came on. Was able to get into a turn out and exited the car. Saw orange flames under engine. No cell service in this are so flagged down a passing car who called 911. Fire truck came and put out the flames that had already engulfed and burned the car.

NHTSA ODI 11424773

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that smoke was coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the engine seals needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 20V750000 (Engine). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that the Vin was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

NHTSA ODI 11424818

I was injured in a crash that happened Saturday at 232pm . My airbags did not deploy at 45 mph. Old women did a u turn into me. I was in left lane . I crash driver side front into her passenger doors. My steering is damaged and my side fender was hooked inward along with my side mirror being hit i thought my airbags recall issue was solved. Im in back and neck pain i went to hospital after and had xrays were the doctors where astonished by my non deployment when i told them the speed and showed photos

NHTSA ODI 11424308

BACK IN 2018 MY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT MY ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I'VE HAD KEPT REGULAR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH THE 2012 FORTE USES HYUNDAI AND KIA'S 'THETA II' ENGINE. THE THETA II ENGINES COULD HAVE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROCESS ISSUE. SURE ENOUGH I DID INDEED HAVE ENGINE FAILURE AND HAD TO PAY AN ARM AND A LEG TO REPLACE MY ENGINE. NOW I FEAR THAT THIS SECOND ENGINE WILL FOLLOW SUIT. ONLY SOME MODELS FELL UNDER THE RECALL BUT KIA REALLY NEEDS TO CONSIDER THE 2012 FORTE MODELS AND ANY OTHER MODEL THAT FALLS IN RANGE. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND KIA NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE! I HAD TO CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES TO RESPOND TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WENT OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11377821

WHEN HAD MY ACCIDENT IN ON GOING TRAFFIC MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY,MY BRAKES SYSTEM WENT OUT, ALSO MY HORN DOESN'T WORK, AND MY CV AXLE MESSES UP AND CAN'T FIND ANOTHER CV AXLE.

NHTSA ODI 11307568

WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR AT A SPEED THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY BUT NONE DID. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON 12/26/19. I WAS HEADED SOUTHBOUND ON MINNESOTA AVE IN SIOUX FALLS, SD. I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN EAST WHEN A CAR HIT ME FROM BEHIND. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY CAR TO SPIN 270*. SHATTERED THE REAR DRIVER WINDOW. BENT FRAME. BUT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED

NHTSA ODI 11291822

I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED BY KIA OF THE RECALL. I WASN'T AWARE OF THE RECALL UNTIL I RESEARCHED MY VIN NUMBER FOR INFORMATION FOR MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT MAY 11TH 2019 WITH A FRONT SIDE IMPACT AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN DEEMED TOTALED. I SUFFERED MILD WHIPLASH AND CONCUSION. I WAS TURNING LEFT TO GO DOWN AN ISLE IN A PARKING LOT WHEN I WAS STRUCK BY A CHEVROLET SILVERADO. I WENT TO HOSPITAL MAY 13TH WHEN CONDITION DIDN'T IMPROVE * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI 11220465

THE STEREO WIRES MELTED AND STARTED A FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD. FIRE WAS PUT OUT. STEREO IS DAMAGED.

NHTSA ODI 11184940

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS REAR ENDED AND THEN SMASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE. I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THE KIA AND IT WAS PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11150286

I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A CORNER STORE PARKING LOT. AS I WAS TURNING THE ACCELERATER DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. I PUSHED THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY AND IT STILL PULLED FORWARD. I IMPACTED THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE STORE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WALL OF THE STORE. ALSO DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR HEADLIGHTS, FENDER, TIRE WELL LINING AND MORE. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON OR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I JUST RECEIVED A LETTER TODAY IN THE MAIL ABOUT RECALL ISSUES. KIA HAS NOT WARNED ME OF ANYTHING AND I TAKE MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED I'M TRYING GET HELP WITH THIS. I'M LOOKING FOR LAWYER NOW BECAUSE I JUST GOT THIS INFORMATION. AFTER OWNING THIS CAR SINCE 2012. I'M WORKING ON THE CLAIM NOW SO THE FULL REPORT IS NOT DONE.

NHTSA ODI 11119248

KIA FIRE: I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20 MILES AND WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND AND THEN STALLED OUT. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR, WHICH RESTARTED, THEN IMMEDIATELY STALLED OUT AGAIN. TRAFFIC BEHIND ME GOT OUT OF THEIR CARS TO TELL ME THE CAR WAS ON FIRE, BUT I COULDN'T SEE IT BECAUSE IT WAS UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. 2 OTHER DRIVERS GOT MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER OUT OF THE CAR, WHILE ANOTHER DRIVER USED A RAG TO OPEN THE HOOD AND SPRAY THE ENGINE BLOCK WITH AN EXTINGUISHER. MY DAUGHTER AND I DIDN'T SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES, BUT DID INHALE SOME SMOKE. THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE AT THIS POINT AND HAD TO BE TOWED WHILE WE WAITED ON A RIDE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOOK THE ENGINE APART TO TRY TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. THEY WERE UNSURE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE, BUT THE WIRING HARNESS SEEMED TO BE MELTED, ALONG WITH OTHER BELTS IN THE ENGINE BAY. I HAD TO FILE THIS AS A CLAIM UNDER INSURANCE, THE TOTAL DAMAGES WERE ABOVE $4500 AND MY CAR WAS OUT OF COMMISSION FOR 3 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI 11113334

NOV 7 2016 WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT ON A MAIN STREET WITH TWO CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN ME AND PERSON IN FRONT, DUE TO THE HEAVY VOLUME OF TRAFFIC. I WAS HIT IN THE REAR, END BY AN SUV, THEN SLAMMED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND SENT BACK AGAIN AND SLAMMED THE CAR THAT INITIALLY HIT ME. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN CRASH WITH LONG TERM EFFECTS.

NHTSA ODI 11110215