Most common 2012 Kia Forte Koup problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Forte Koup complaints by model year
Best Forte Koup years: 2014, 2011. Years to avoid: 2013. Compare all years →
2012 Kia Forte Koup recalls (4)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge.
Engine
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge.
Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2012 Kia Forte Koup:
Air bags may be disabled during crash
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai Sonata, MY 2012-2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles.
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021.
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando.
What 2012 Kia Forte Koup owners say
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte Koup. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, white smoke was coming from under the hood. While the independent mechanic was starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The mechanic turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that prior to the smoke on a separate occasion, while the contact's daughter was driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had caused the battery, starter, and knock sensor to fail. The vehicle was repaired for the prior failures. The contact stated that after the most recent failure, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the engine had failed and damaged the battery, starter, and knock sensor. The independent mechanic replaced the battery, starter, and knock sensor. …
On 7/23/2016(milage 108000) I was driving my 2012 Kia Forte sx Koup to work traveling 70 MPH on the highway. 2 miles from work I began to hear a loud knocking sound . Arriving at work I did a quick engine inspection but could not find anything visually wrong (leaks, smoke, loose parts) later that morning I returned to my car to test the engine and could hear the same noise. I decided it would be best to have it towed to a mechanic. Vehicle was not inspected until 07/25/16. Mechanic said the engine needed to be replaced after discovering a bad rod. Mechanic also contacted Kia to see if by chance they would offer and extended warranty, but Kia would not repair engine since it had passed the 100000 mile warranty. (just 8000 miles over warranty !!!!!!) my wife and I decided to bite the bullet and have the engine repaired. $4300 and one week later my vehicle was returned to me. …
2012 Kia Forte Koup engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 25 / 34 / 28 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 32 / 27 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 30 / 26 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 31 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Kia Forte Koup a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Forte Koup rates average: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Forte Koup at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Kia Forte Koup?
The engine & cooling — 13 complaints, 93% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the speed control & acceleration (1) and transmission & drivetrain (1).
How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Forte Koup have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2012 Kia Forte Koup, the most recent from September 25, 2023 (control unit/module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Forte Koup?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013. See the full Kia Forte Koup years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Kia Forte Koup problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 84,000 miles; 15% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.