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Electrical systemPart report

2012 Kia Forte Electrical system Problems

Complaints
32about this part
Share
11%of 292 total for the year
Median mileage
71,450miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Kia Forte, 11% of the 292 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,450 miles. 6 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was pulled over by transit police and was informed that my brake lights were not working. I took it to the dealership and they want to charge me to have them look at it. If the problem falls to the warranty they will do it, but I still have to pay for the check-up. My tail lights work, but my brake lights do not illuminate when I press on the brake. Is there a recall?”

NHTSA complaint #10705047, filed 2015-04, 25,000 miles

“The alternator isn't charging the battery fully according to my voltmeter. According to the Kia dealership I just needed a new battery. This is the 3rd battery already. Luckily the car seems to die after it is parked. Also while driving it on the highway it accelerated on its own once and interior lights flickered and radio cut out. Hoping it is just a freak occurrence because the battery was weak.”

NHTSA complaint #10881257, filed 2016-06, 49,000 miles

“My 2012 Kia Forte 2.0l engine keeps making a ticking, knocking noise. Took it in for service and the dealer said that they could not locate the issue, but that I may just need an oil change. Oil was severely low, even though oil was just changed. There were no leaks identified. Also, my car has a jerking issue when accelerating. The car sometimes gets thrown forward without a check engine light being thrown. This especially happens on the interstate, or if the car has been driven for longer than 20 minutes. This is an extreme safety issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11388894, filed 2021-01, 153,000 miles

“This vehicle has now repaired 2 times for recall on brake light/wiring issue. We were charged by the jenkins Kia of gainesville,florida for the last 2 times. This is a safety issue since brake light keeps burning out. Mechanic at another business advised bulb burned so much the bulb holder was burned. Sc158 is recall number. Repairs done 10/22/2018, 2/14/2020 wiring harness & bulb holder replaced all at our cost. Recalled twice for this issue. Bulb now burned out again 2/15/21. Feel cheated by this dealer since has been recalled 2013 & 2015.”

NHTSA complaint #11396480, filed 2021-02, 71,555 miles

“Center mount stop light assembly - the brake light burned out and burned the assembly. I smelled something burning from my vehicle and when I checked the vehicle found this light had burned through the assembly. This burning of the center assembly shorted out my brake lights which left me without brakes. The mechanic stated that looking at the center assembly as well as the other brake light ports-there was a surge of some sort which caused this to happen. The areas in the brake light sockets were black. …”

NHTSA complaint #11000121, filed 2017-06, 167,100 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024623%
20231117%
2022311%
2021812%
20201114%
20192315%
20181612%
20174715%
20162216%
20152911%
20145713%
20132513%
20123211%
20111610%
2010199%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Forte

Engine
161 complaintsBrakes
52 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Kia Forte

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology