2012 Kia Forte: gas smell in the cabin

Filed Oct 21, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 100,000 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle, followed by a loss of motive power. The malfunction indicator light and ABS warning light were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Dec 19, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that there was a strong gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine made abnormal knocking sounds. The contact stated that the failure occurred increasingly while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V75000 (Engine). An unknow dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 9, 2022 · Engine · CA

I purchased a Kia Forte, 2012, in September of 2021. The engine has stalled, several times after putting gas in it and last week after filling up, gas fumes permeated the inside of the car while driving. Recently, this has started happening regularly. When I decided to investigate why this is happening, so that I have awareness of possibilities before going to the crooked dealer, I learned of the Class Action Lawsuit settlement against Hyundai/Kia specifically related to deadly engine stalling while driving and engine fires as a result of the identical problem which I am having. When I put my VIN into your site, it comes up as zero recalls, however, as you state on your site, many vehicles VINs are still updating. I did the research to learn if my vehicle fit the category of how this is happening. The dangerous defect is happening with Hyundai/Kia Theta II multi-port fuel injection (MPI) engines, Nu gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines, and Gamma GDI engines described in the combined lawsuit and all vehicles that have the defect, which adds up to 1.05 million. The vehicles involved in the Settlement are Theta II, Hyundai Tucson/ix35 (LM) (2009–2015), Hyundai Sonata (2007–2014) Kia Forte (TD) (2008–2012), Kia Optima/K5 (2008–2012), Kia Sportage (SL) (2010–2013) My 2012 Kia Forte has the 2.0L DOHC MPI Theta II multi-port fuel injection (MPI) engine listed as defective. As a female Veteran who drives 60 miles to the nearest Veteran's hospital, I am now scared to drive the car due to reports of the vehicle stalling in traffic and in my case on the California freeway where speeds normally are typically 65 to 75 mph. I have no other vehicle. I purchased this vehicle for the outstanding CarFax and Experian reports as a rental car, resulting in the highest standard and consistent servicing for years. Please rush this complaint so that I can keep my VA doctor appointments. I am scared, my VIN is KNAFU4A29C5590130. Thank you.

Filed Feb 23, 2021 · Engine · 124,433 miles · LA

To whom it may concern: I took my 2012 kia forte to a local dealership in shreveport, louisiana(orr kia) upon receiving a important safety recall by kia motors america, inc. Upon completion of my recall I was notified that the ticking/ knocking noise from the engine that has a odor smell to it was decline by techline because of a outside warranty. I'm not satisfied with this decision because the warranty clearly state vehicle's engine, engine noise, fuel smell, burning smell,etc. That may be related to an engine mechanical issue. At various times the engine light comes on and off.

Filed Dec 7, 2020 · Engine · 122,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia forte. The contact stated that while driving or when warming up the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the air conditioning compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure of the knocking sound recurred. The vehicle was not taken back to the mechanic or a kia dealer. The contact mentioned the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v750000 (engine) and stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

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.