2012 Kia Forte Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 4%of 292 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,200miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the fuel system of the 2012 Kia Forte, 4% of the 292 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,200 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“When starting my vehicle in park, I put it in reverse, and it barely goes. It seems to lack power, or is being bogged down. It almost comes to a complete stop, and then it suddenly kicks in, and jerks you backwards very fast. It is scary because I could easily hit something or crash, because the car becomes almost out of control. You never know when it is going to kick back in either. I have taken it to the Kia dealer, but they said it did not do it for them of course. So I am stuck with a car that is having a lot of issues. I don't have the money to fix them right now. …”
NHTSA complaint #11190284, filed 2019-03, 95,000 miles“I was making a left turn into a parking spot at a corner store parking lot. As I was turning the accelerater dropped to the floor. I pushed the brake all the way and it still pulled forward. I impacted the front left corner of the store causing damage to the wall of the store. Also damage to the front of the car headlights, fender, tire well lining and more. No warning lights came on or airbags deployed. I just received a letter today in the mail about recall issues. Kia has not warned me of anything and I take my car to the Kia dealership. I was not notified I'm trying get help with this. …”
NHTSA complaint #11119248, filed 2018-08, 36,400 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10490832, filed 2013-01, 3,100 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10489463, filed 2012-12, 3,100 miles“Driving in a shopping center parking lot. Made a right turn into an alley. Vehicle then rapidly accelerated through the alley and then smashed into a tree. Can't remember if brakes were applied or not. It all happened very quickly. Kia Forte was totaled and driver was hospitalized with extensive injuries (foot broken, hand broken, vertebrae damage) hospitalized approx. 5 days and nursing home approx. 10 days. Last visit to surgeon for smashed foot (to remove metal pins) was in april of 2013. …”
NHTSA complaint #10610525, filed 2014-07, 1,000 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 4% |
| 2023 | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 7% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 3 | 4% |
| 2019 | 4 | 3% |
| 2018 | 8 | 6% |
| 2017 | 30 | 10% |
| 2016 | 7 | 5% |
| 2015 | 10 | 4% |
| 2014 | 25 | 6% |
| 2013 | 6 | 3% |
| 2012 | 11 | 4% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 9 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2012 Kia Forte
161 complaintsBrakes
52 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 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 30, 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