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Body and structurePart report

2012 Kia Forte Body and structure Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
3%of 292 total for the year
Median mileage
17,560miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the body and structure of the 2012 Kia Forte, 3% of the 292 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,560 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 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.

“There was a recall for underbody rust, which I took in for protection. There are little orange rust spots appearing sporadically through the white paint all over. I would like this looked at please.”

NHTSA complaint #11269925, filed 2019-10, 113,000 miles

“We were driving our 2012 Kia Forte ex (sedan) which we had purchased brand new in december 2011 to the store to get bread and were on our way home (only about 2 minutes into the drive) when we saw smoke coming from the front of the car. We pulled over within about 50 feet of seeing it, put it in park- which by the time we did so, we lost all power and couldn't even get the key out of the ignition. We got out and my boyfriend tried to pop the hood but it was already so hot he couldn't do it... …”

NHTSA complaint #10480912, filed 2012-10, 8,900 miles

“The first time it happened I was driving around 45mph and I hit a bump on the road and all of the sudden rear hatch warning light came on and after I pulled over and checked the rear hatch and it had come open were it was ajar but the hatch hasn't been used in a couple days. The second time a few weeks later the same thing I hit a bump and the warning light came on and this time I went to the dealership and they just told me to close it harder and I have closed it how I was showed ever since, but it still happens about once a month after I went to the dealership.”

NHTSA complaint #10661044, filed 2014-11, 6,000 miles

“Previously, there was a recall for under body rust. I had that fixed. However, the rust problem extends to the paint job and little orange dots of rust have been on the vehicle in many places.”

NHTSA complaint #11407607, filed 2021-04, 99,000 miles

“300 miles after complaining to dealer of slipping floor mat stopping braking and random high acceleration-a real accident occurred against a barrier in a parking garage. Mats flip far more that audi and toyota recalls. Entire car damaged by previous acceleration(random) or brakes not working due to mats. The parking garage incident occurred at 15 MPH and square head on to cement barrier severely damaging bumper, hood, fenders, grill, headlights and interior engine. I injured both arms and skin abrasions on chest-due to airbag not deploying-similar to recent recalls. …”

NHTSA complaint #10606380, filed 2014-06, 17,560 miles

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202414%
202346%
202134%
202011%
201943%
201875%
2017103%
201654%
201542%
2014184%
201321%
201293%
201185%
201052%

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 complaintsSteering
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