Skip to content
Engine coolingPart report

2012 Kia Forte Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
2%of 292 total for the year
Median mileage
117,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2012 Kia Forte, 2% of the 292 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“My engine failed on me while I was driving on highway. There have been complaints about engine fires with these types of engines and engine failure as well. There’s no reason why my engine should have failed on me.”

NHTSA complaint #11492238, filed 2022-11, 100,578 miles

“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound, and there was a burning oil odor coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (ENGINE); however, the contact was unable to schedule an appointment because the dealer was unreachable. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11731572, filed 2026-04, 142,000 miles

“2012 Kia Forte. Consumer writes seeking reimbursement for vehicle repairs. The consumer stated the manufacturer approved reimbursement, but mailed the check to the wrong address. The manufacturer stated they would change the address, cancel the old check and mail another. The consumer stated manufacturer had not changed the address nor administered another check.”

NHTSA complaint #11429288, filed 2021-08

“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 NHTSA Recall Campaign number: 20V750000(Engine). …”

NHTSA complaint #11526156, filed 2023-06, 104,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the O2 sensor had failed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer had not been contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11567757, filed 2024-01, 130,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202227%
202034%
201943%
201854%
2017145%
201611%
201542%
201441%
201332%
201252%
201132%
201084%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Forte

Engine
161 complaints
Brakes
52 complaints
Air bags
37 complaints
Electrical system
32 complaints
Exterior lighting
23 complaints
Other or unknown
21 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Fuel system
11 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
11 complaints
Steering
9 complaints
Body and structure
9 complaints
Visibility (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