2012 Kia Forte: engine failure

Filed Mar 4, 2026 · Engine · OH

While driving, the engine suddenly shut off without warning. The vehicle lost power in traffic, creating a safety risk. There were no warning signs before the failure. The oil level was properly maintained and oil changes were performed regularly. The dealership diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the engine needs to be replaced. The exact mechanical cause was not clearly explained to me.

Filed Sep 16, 2025 · Engine · 69,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine suddenly seized, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · GA

My vehicle is affected by the federal safety agency Recall Number 23V652000, I have taken my vehicle to Jim Ellis Kia of Kennesaw on several occasions, I believe 3 separate occasions to try and get this recall resolved. Each time I am told that the fix, a replacement fuse, is not being accepted by my vehicle. Each time they attempt to replace the fuse, the vehicle goes into anti-theft mode where the alarm goes off consistently. The dealership is unable to tell me why and states they can not complete the recall because of this. Initially, they tried to state the issue was that engine oil was seeping through into my engine harness and that I would need a new engine harness, sending me home with a quote for $3,000 to fix the issue. That same night I took my vehicle to an actual professional, who told me the dealership had no clue what they were talking about and that there was no oil in my engine harness. I returned to the dealership requesting that my vehicle only be looked at by the master technician, after the master tech reviewed the vehicle he agreed there was no oil in the engine harness and that that was a misdiagnosis. Absolutely absurd to think they can send a customer home with a $3k quote with no oversight before doing so. The master tech stated he could not figure out the incompatibility of my vehicle and the recall remedy, and stated I would have to pay $300 for them to do a full electrical review as a first step of troubleshooting. I can not believe that a massive corporation like Kia is sticking a customer with a MASSIVE fire hazard of a vehicle that is a result of their negligence and telling me that 'although we have a fix, for some reason the fix doesn't work for your car and you're going to have to pay us to figure out why.' This is absolutely unacceptable, I am a college student and while driving my only form of transportation, I constantly have to hope that I am not a victim of fatality at the hands of Kia.

Filed Apr 15, 2024 · Engine · WI

The car shut off (engine died) when I was driving and it wouldnt restart. The car was in perfect working condition, low miles & well taken care of, no lights on the dash or anything. I had it towed to 2 different mechanics (first was private, 2nd was a Kia dealership) - they both told me I needed a new engine or I needed part of the engine fixed and told me it didn't fall under any of the recalls. From what I've read I feel like it is a manufacturer's defect due to all of the recalls on this model/engine.

Filed Feb 5, 2024 · Engine · OH

The engine started knocking just like all the other fortes and theta engines that blew up or gained the same knocking metal to metal noise. I have since found metal shavings in the oil which tells me that my engine is on its way out the door just like the rest that had this same problem. My engine needs to be recalled and replaced alongside the rest! Kia needs to own up to there engineering mistakes and install a new engine. My car should not be ignored on that recall seeing as it has the same engine as all the other fortes that were given new replacement engines. I refuse to be ignored on this matter and will not put forth my own money to fix something Kia is liable for. Kia is putting my life and others lives in danger. When will they take actions and responsibility for the rest of the Kia’s out there with the same engine symptom. I also haven’t got a recall for a knock sensor upgrade. I refuse to be without a vehicle because of Kia’s terrible engineering and poor production and assembly of these cars. I should not be experiencing an engine rod knock at 100k miles that has only become louder with time. I will be presenting the car to Kia for other recalls to be done and will be complaining about the other issues. Thousands of people have had to pay out of pocket to get a new motor. That’s on Kia to make things right with there customers for selling them a faulty product.

Filed Jan 4, 2024 · Lights, Transmission · 119,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse, the vehicle seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and it was stated that an unknown part was disconnected near the gear shift. The contact was unsure what part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the display screen had seized. The contact also replaced the rear brake lights after being notified that the brake lights were inoperable. The contact stated that the bulbs were replaced and immediately fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 119,000.

Filed Nov 11, 2023 · Engine · PA

I own a 2012 Kia Forte . My engine started knocking, ticking sound. A mechanic used a mechanics stethoscope and the cylinder is collapsed, bad lifter. I always keep the oil changed regularly since the day I purchased. This is the same problem reported by thousands of Kia owners. I expect Kia to cover a new engine as I know a lawsuit was filed for the same year and model that I have and they covered the replacement of engines.

Filed Jun 19, 2023 · Engine · MN

I saw that 2012-2015 kia fortes had a recall for engines but mine was not a part of it. My car had a ticking/knocking sound and I took it to the mechanic and he said that I needed a new engine, he said the knocking could have started because of low oil which is impossible because I have kept up on my oil changes. So now I don’t have a car, it’s almost $5000 to fix my engine. I would like kia to fix my car

Filed Jun 9, 2023 · Engine · 104,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving at various speeds a knocking noise was present coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Recall Campaign number: 20V750000(Engine). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was The failure mileage was 104,000. The contact has made several attempts to contact KIA America customer Service in regards to faulty engine failures with no response beyond we have received your email.

Filed Jun 3, 2023 · Engine · PA

I have owned my 2012 Kia Forte EX since 2013 when I purchased used from a car dealership (not a kia dealer). I have kept all oil changes, filters up to date since purchase, plus in Pennsylvania we have annual car inspections, which my car has always passed. In early Jan 2023, I noticed a 'ticking sound' and was not related to low oil, leak, etc. The sound became increasingly loud and took to my mechanic. After he took off the engine cover and was able to put a camera down into the motor, the cylinders are bad. So, here I am with a 2012 Kia, mileage 83,836 and the motor is shot! I want Kia to replace my motor at no cost as I have read that Kia has agreed that all Kia's produced between 2011 through 2015 have engine failure. How do I have my engine replaced by Kia? I currently am without transportation,

Filed May 29, 2023 · Engine · NJ

UNKNOWN: 04/11/23 I purchased (as second owner) a 2012 Kia Forte (less than 2 months ago) only had 107,799 miles. Purchased as a Senior Citizen for doctor appointmenta & food shopping....after a short while I noticed a tap/knock from the engine that has gotten louder with every ride....Took the vehicle to Dealer Matt Blatt Kia in Egg Harbor Township for diagnostics. Couldn't believe I was charged $190.82 to receive a paper telling me it has a "knock" which I knew & took it there for & that it NEEDS A NEW ENGINE! The car fax a Kia lady printed out for me, shows vehicle was maintained wonderfully....from the info I've located those engines are bad so the KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK that's grown louder would be engine replaced? Can you assist me I purchased a vehicle that now can BLOW UP! Thank You for your time.

Filed Apr 28, 2023 · Engine · MO

Engine described as making a knocking sound and having total engine failure. The car is not covered under the current 2020 Kia engine recall as it is a 2.0 litre engine. It has been inspected by Kia and an independent auto shop. It was not eligible to receive the software upgrade which would register the knock engine failure. No warning signs appeared beforehand besides a knocking sound which started a week or so before I took it in. This engine could have failed while I was driving and caused an accident. This is a common problem across Kia’s that Kia knows about and this should have been covered by them since they manufactured a faulty engine.