Home · 2012 Kia Forte Koup · Complaints

What 303 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Forte Koup

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (303)Crash / fire / injury (40)Engine (173)Brakes (50)Airbags (37)Electrical system (33)Lights (23)Speed control (15)Transmission & drivetrain (12)Fuel system (11)Body & structure (9)Steering (9)

17 of 303 complaints match · Airbags · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Oct 10, 2025BrakesAirbagsEngineFire

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

Jul 28, 2025AirbagsCrash

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

Jul 11, 2021AirbagsCrash1 injury

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

Feb 6, 2020SteeringAirbagsBrakesCrash1 injury

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

Dec 29, 2019AirbagsCrash

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

Jun 16, 2019AirbagsCrash1 injury

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

Nov 9, 2018AirbagsSeat beltsCrash1 injury

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

Aug 10, 2018AirbagsBrakesFuel systemCrash

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

Jul 9, 2018AirbagsCrash1 injury

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

May 31, 2018AirbagsSeat beltsCrash1 injury1 death

FATAL MVA INVOLVING FRONT-END COLLISION. AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER.

NHTSA ODI 11099038

Mar 20, 2018AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUFFERED CONTUSIONS, A BRAIN INJURY, AND WAS IN A COMA FOR TWO WEEKS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11080341

Oct 11, 2015AirbagsCrash1 injury1 death

THIS IS A CORRECTION TO A COMPLAINT FILED LAST WEEK. I CHECKED NO ON THE FATALITIES QUESTION. THE KIA WAS IN A SERIOUS FATAL FRONTAL IMPACT BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. KIA TESTED THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE AND IT HAD NO FAULT CODES AND DID NOT RECORD ANY CRASH DATA. KIA HAS THE MODULE NOW. THE OTHER CARS AIRBAGS WORKED AND THE DRUNK DRIVER SURVIVED...UPDATED 10/15/15 *BF ...UPDATED 12/29/15 *BF THE DATA SHOWED THAT THERE WERE NO STORED OR DIAGNOSTIC FAULT CODES. THERE WAS NO CRASH RECORD RECORDED BY THE ACU. UPDATED 4/18/18*JB *JS *JS

NHTSA ODI 10781341

Oct 9, 2015AirbagsCrash1 injury1 death

THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE FRONT SEAT AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THE PASSENGER WAS KILLED AND THE DRIVER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. KIA WAS INFORMED AND THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO BE NOT WORKING.

NHTSA ODI 10781050

Apr 13, 2015AirbagsCrash1 injury

MY DAUGHTER WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND CAUSING HER TO HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.............

NHTSA ODI 10705295

Dec 30, 2014AirbagsCrash1 injury

THE CAR GOT A FLAT TIRE WHILE TAKING A CURVE AND HIT A CONCRETE POLE. THE CAR WAS TOTAL LOSS AND ALL THE FRONT PART WAS SMASHED. THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG WAS THE ONLY TO DEPLOY BUT DID NOT DEPLOY ALL THE WAY, SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOYED. DRIVER GOT A CLAVICLE FRACTURE. ....UPDATED 01/23/15 *BF UPDATED 2/11/16 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10669052

Sep 18, 2014AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE MOUTH, CHIN, LIP, AND SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT WAS HOSPITALIZED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA ODI 10637271

Oct 17, 2012AirbagsBody & structureEngineFire

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

NHTSA ODI 10480912

Working with the data? Download all 303 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Kia Forte Koup verdict →