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SteeringPart report

2012 Kia Forte Steering Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
3%of 292 total for the year
Median mileage
81,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Kia Forte, 3% of the 292 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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 had my accident in on going traffic my air bags did not deploy,my brakes system went out, also my horn doesn't work, and my cv axle messes up and can't find another cv axle.”

NHTSA complaint #11307568, filed 2020-02, 70,000 miles

“Kia,hyundai theta 2.4 engine failure, under 100k miles. I have a 2012 Kia Forte hatch sx with the 2.4 engine. I purchased it from sunset Kia of auburn valley wa with 66,000 miles not quite 3 years ago. In that time I've put about 30k miles on the car. I've had the oil changed regularly, and it has never been low. Last week, on august 11, 2019, while driving to work the engine seized on the highway. I lost power steering and brake assist. I was able to pull off the road without causing an accident, but only because of the time of day. …”

NHTSA complaint #11245143, filed 2019-08, 93,000 miles

“When turning the steering wheel whether will driving or when vehicle is stopped it makes a clicking sound and feels a little loose. If while driving and I hit a small bump the steering wheel will turn and make a clicking sound. I took my vehicle to oil change express and he said there is a recall on a part that's dealing with the power steering it's a part of the motor. When I checked there was no recall on my 2012 Kia Forte but there is a recall for the Kia optima. Why is there not a recall on my 2012 Kia Forte when it has the same problem as the 2014 Kia optima to be exact.”

NHTSA complaint #11328396, filed 2020-06, 131,310 miles

“The steering wheel makes a clunking sound and can be felt when turning the wheel. There appears to be a recall/extended warranty for this part for other years of this car but not sure why mine was not included.”

NHTSA complaint #11547451, filed 2023-09

“The steering wheel started to make a clunk when you turned it now the eps light is flashing and the power no longer works this car has 67 thousand miles on it I”

NHTSA complaint #11082657, filed 2018-04

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202414%
20231523%
2022414%
2021913%
202034%
201996%
201854%
201793%
201654%
201542%
20146414%
2013137%
201293%
201153%
2010115%

Other parts of the 2012 Kia Forte

Engine
161 complaintsBrakes
52 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 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 28, 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