2012 Kia Forte: won't start

Filed Sep 2, 2025 · Electrical · FL

In forte koups installed with a factory wing allows for water to collect in taillights causeing a no start issue for my vehicle

Filed Jul 12, 2023 · Engine · TX

While driving on the highway I had the Check Engine light come on. After approximately 5 minutes, while accelerating, all the system lights flashed, and then turned off. The engine stalled and the vehicle was coasting. I pulled the vehicle to the side of the road, and though the vehicle had power, the engine would not start. I towed the vehicle to a mechanic who told me the engine could not be salvaged or repaired. As a replacement engine would cost as much as the vehicle is worth, I am now seeking to sell the car to a junkyard or other interested party. I believe this vehicle's Theta II engine's design is what led to its failure. However, Kia's SC200 recall campaign only covers 2012 Kia Forte's with a 2.4-liter MPI engine, and my vehicle has a 2.0-liter MPI engine. After spending 2 hours with Kia on the phone, they told me I had no recourse with them.

Filed Jul 20, 2022 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that it was discovered the vehicle would not start due to a battery that was fully drained. After recharging the battery, the rear brake lights remained illuminated even while the vehicle was turned off. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the brake light stopper pad had failed causing the brake lights to remain illuminated. The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V773000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 30,000. The contact stated that they paid to have the battery replaced.

Filed Dec 30, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · TX · fire

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.

Filed Oct 27, 2020 · Engine · 184,000 miles · KS

I bought my 2012 kia forte with about 9,000 miles in 2014. I used good pennzoil synthetic oil and did regular oil changes. My engine started ticking at about 110,000 miles. I wrote it off as a ticky lifter. At 184, 000 miles my oil light came on. I pulled over and checked oil. Less than a quart low, so I filled it. 5 miles later car dies and won't turn over again. Mechanic says engine locked up. Then I read online that this 2.4 theta engine has been recalled in later model kias and hyundai. But not in early years because of some code number. Give me a break. Kia needs to pay up before someone gets killed.I am calling everyone I can to keep this issue out there. Make them do a recall. Nbc news is next on my list. I was on a city street going about 30. Luckily not pulling out in front of someone

Filed Jul 23, 2019 · Engine · 160,000 miles · MD

I was driving the car at 40 MPH when approaching the ramp to the highway (65 MPH) and began to hear a lot of noise coming from the engine (sounded like metal scrapping). I began to pull over to the shoulder but the engine stopped running before I could get to the shoulder and note no instrument panel warning lights came on. I coasted to the shoulder of the road, put the car in park, attempted to start the car, all the instrument panel lights were flashing, and then dark smoke was coming out from the hood. I got out of the car as I thought it was on fire but could not open the hood as it was extremely hot. I waited and then tried again, finally, opening the hood with a rag. The car was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the engine seized, I had it towed to a 2nd mechanic (same diagnosis) then was informed of sc147 after doing an internet search. I contacted kia and opened a case #13204401 where I then had to have the car towed for the 3rd time to a kia dealership (bob bell, baltimore, md) where they had to do their diagnostic test (technicians cell video to show the car will not start), per kia, to come to the conclusion my car is not part of sc147 (according to my vein #). This safety recall is for 2.4l gdi engines and mine is a 2.4l dohc. In addition to my complaint, I want to know where in the manufacturing process (what plant was my engine assembled?) if given they are the same engines but only a top covering difference (gdi vs dohc), then how do I know for sure my engine should not have been part of major sc147 since my vehicle had been running with no issues and regular maintenance with 160,000 + miles?

Filed Apr 7, 2019 · Engine · 106,000 miles · MO

Driving down an interstate around 75mph the engine started making an abnormal loud engine knocking noise so I pulled over to the median and the oil light came on, engine seized, and the car died and would not start. Car had oil. Towed 100+ miles to our local kia dealership and they said #2 rod bearing "severely worn and causing the engine to make noise and stop rotating". They recommended a complete engine replacement at a cost of around $5700 (cost and labor). 2012 kia forte sx with 2.4l engine and 106,xxx miles (6,000 outside their 10year/100,000 mile warranty). Car had regular oil changes at the proper times. This is the same type of problem (worn rod bearings) kia/hyundai had with their other engines which required a recall to address the thousands of grievances. I would like these 2.4l forte engines to also be included in a future recall because I believe these engines are either defective in their manufacturing process or just faulty by design. Had I not pulled over when I did there is a possibility the engine would have seized while I was driving interstate speed with the typical interstate traffic (semi trucks all over) with my wife and two small children on board. Kia refuses to acknowledge a problem and so far have offered no satisfaction. A modern car should last more than 7 years, unless it was designed wrong or damaged in the manufacturing process.

Filed May 5, 2018 · Engine · 69,000 miles · MN

I bought my 2012 kia forte back in 2015 with approx. 40k miles on and this last summer of 2017 the vechile would not start after returning home from work one evening. I drove it just fine to work and when I got home and shut off the engine, it would not start again. After towing it to a mechanic I was informed that the engine would need to be replaced. As this is the same engine that is in the optima and sportage that have recalls on their engines, I do not understand why the forte is not included in this as well.

Filed Jul 18, 2015 · Engine · 26,050 miles · CA

On four separate occasions, june 5-july 17, 2015 our kia forte 5 door hatchback failed to start. Tow company personnel attempted to jump start the car without success. Car was taken to two separate dealerships and the failure could not be replicated. Repairs will not be made until the condition can be replicated. After sitting for a prolonged period (1-3 days) the car will start. We replaced the battery on june 23rd at the suggestion of a tow truck driver who refused to tow us. He related that in hot weather kia cars often will not start if the battery is weak. With a new top of the line battery, on july 17th the car refused to start. When the 105 degree temperature dropped to 90 degrees, the car started. We are stuck with a new car that will not start reliably in hot weather. Dealers cannot fix it. Our warranty is "valueless". Kia corporate has assigned a case number and we are seeking repair or replacement. Until this happens, we are frightened to trust our kia in our remote sierra nevada mountain location where being stranded can be life threatening. We have made a $21,000.00 mistake and lemon law court is our only recourse.

Filed Jan 2, 2013 · Fuel system · 3,100 miles · IN

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 still having issues which is a very very bad safety issue. On 12/17/2012 I was getting ready to leave and had a very bad raw gasoline smell in the car. Again I called dealer and they said bring it up. So I did so. My general manager as well as fellow employees smelled the fuel odor also. General manager said to me that he felt that this was not safe to drive. Now prohibiting me from parking this car near our facility. Anyway I drove it to ft. Wayne to the dealer with all 4 windows down until entering ft. Wayne. It started raining. I had to roll them all up. At dealer. Service manager smelt the terrible smell as well as an customer and technician. They went through everything not finding any problem with the tests they did. On 12/20/2012. I was told to come and pick my car up (reps order.) since they could not get this to reoccur. So in the meantime I have an baby and 2 other children and us that are put into a dangerous situation just because they cannot pinpoint this issue. The issue is an no start or misfire then the fuel smell is there for days. My fear is that the fumes will make us sick or even an explosion. I have talked to several firemen who have explained to me what may or could happen. Why should I have to keep putting my family and myself into this danger? This is a major safety issue.

Filed Dec 21, 2012 · Fuel system · 3,100 miles · IN

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. And still having issues which is a very very bad safety issue. On 12/17/2012 I was getting ready to leave and had a very bad raw gasoline smell in the car. Again I called dealer and they said bring it up. So I did so. My general manager as well as fellow employees smelled the fuel odor also. General manager said to me that he felt that this was not safe to drive. Now prohibiting me from parking this car near our facility. Anyway I drove it to ft. Wayne to the dealer with all 4 windows down until entering ft. Wayne. It started raining. I had to roll them all up. At dealer. Service manager smelt the terrible smell as well as an customer and technician. They went through everything not finding any problem with the tests they did. On 12/20/2012. I was told to come and pick my car up (reps order.) since they could not get this to reoccur. So in the meantime I have an baby and 2 other children and us that are put into a dangerous situation just because they cannot pinpoint this issue. The issue is an no start or misfire then the fuel smell is there for days. My fear is that the fumes will make us sick or even an explosion. I have talked to several firemen who have explained to me what may or could happen. Why should I have to keep putting my family and myself into this danger? This is a major safety issue.