2012 Kia Forte Technical Service Bulletins

71 technical service bulletins (TSBs) are on record for the 2012 Kia Forte. TSBs are notes manufacturers send to dealers about repair procedures for issues seen in the field. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault.

• 11033803Jun 9, 2026Body and structure. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION: CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.
• 11026989Dec 19, 2025Body and structure. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. Kia has developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade and can be installed at the ignition cylinder location to provide additional protection against the social media theft method.
• 11026698Dec 9, 2025Back-over prevention (rear camera). PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal transmission and reception times between the vehicle (ultrasonic sensor) and an object.
• 11017172Apr 17, 2025Transmission and drivetrain. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the…
• 11010507Nov 7, 2024Engine. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (PI2002A, PI2002B and SC200**1) titled “Knock…
• 11009080Oct 18, 2024Steering, Body and structure, Electrical system. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.
• 11000787May 16, 2024Transmission and drivetrain. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
• 10250838Feb 22, 2024Electrical system, Body and structure, Steering. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.
• 10247583Dec 20, 2023Body and structure, Electrical system. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia now has an additional vehicle modification available for installation to help deter or thwart attempted thefts. This modification consists of a theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and will be available to you free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of this letter.
• 10247554Dec 18, 2023Steering, Body and structure, Electrical system. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.
• 10247553Dec 12, 2023Steering, Body and structure, Electrical system. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 13, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to…
• 10240738Aug 11, 2023Equipment. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly to certain Kia vehicle owners. These devices can help deter a theft attempt. We are making this device available to customers free of charge and will ship it directly to customers who place orders within eighteen (18) months from the date…
• 10234604Apr 13, 2023Steering, Equipment. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly to certain Kia vehicle owners. These devices can help deter a theft attempt. We are making this device available to customers free of charge and will ship it directly to customers who place orders within eighteen (18) months from the date of this…
• 10233311Mar 20, 2023Equipment. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly to certain Kia vehicle owners. These devices can help deter a theft attempt. We are making this device available to customers free of charge and will ship it directly to customers who place orders within eighteen (18) months from the date of this…
• 10226555Nov 18, 2022Transmission and drivetrain. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart starting on page 2.
• 10202226Oct 5, 2021Steering. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering…
• 10201615Sep 23, 2021Equipment, Engine cooling. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (PI2002A, PI2002B and SC200**1) titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU…
• 10201529Sep 13, 2021Exterior lighting, Body and structure. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly.
• 10189545Mar 25, 2021Steering. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering…
• 10183333Nov 25, 2020Steering, Engine cooling, Electrical system. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.
• 10183332Nov 4, 2020Electrical system, Engine cooling, Steering. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.
• 10179255Aug 25, 2020Brakes, Equipment. PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess assembly oil applied during assembly.
• 10174520Apr 24, 2020Transmission and drivetrain. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles on page 2. Refer to the shop manual on KGIS for the specific…
• 10170778Jan 21, 2020Exterior lighting. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HALOGEN HEAD LAMP LOW BEAM BULB CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information regarding the procedure to repair the bulb connector on some 2010MY~ vehicles listed on the table below, which may exhibit a bulb connector concern. To correct this concern, replace the connector with a new and improved part.
• 10168850Nov 26, 2019Equipment, Engine cooling, Steering. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU) or Steering Column Housing on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 5 equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power…
• 10167301Oct 15, 2019Steering. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB084_R3: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU) or Steering Column Housing on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 5 equipped with a Column Motor…
• 10159268Apr 29, 2019Steering. TSB: MDPS FLEXIBLE COUPLING REPLACEMENT - This bulletin is issued to provide information about the replacement of the flexible coupling in the MDPS motor of some vehicles which might experience a “knock” noise originating from the MDPS, when moving the steering wheel to right or left when the vehicle is stopped. This is caused by premature wear of the flexible coupling in the MDPS motor.
• 10147325Oct 19, 2018Equipment, Engine. PITSTOP: CYLINDER HEAD STEEL BALL INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION - This Pitstop provides information regarding the inspection and installation of the steel sealing ball on: * 3.3L & 3.8L Lambda engines for 2007-2008MY Sorento (BL), * 2.0L Nu engines for 2010-2019MY Soul (AM, PS), and * 1.8L & 2.0L Nu engines for 2010-2018MY Forte (TD, YD/YDm), 2019MY~ Forte (BDm). When replacing the cylinder heads on these engines…
• 10133170Mar 2, 2018Engine cooling. PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
• 10130104Feb 16, 2018Transmission and drivetrain. TSB - DRIVESHAFT SERVICEABILITY - This bulletin has been revised most recently to include additional information. This bulletin provides information regarding axle shaft serviceability for Kia vehicles equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.
• 10126423Nov 20, 2017Electrical system. TSB - IDENTIFYING HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE VERSION FOR DIRECT EXCHANGE - This bulletin provides the procedure on how to identify and record the head unit software level on various head unit platforms and generations.
• 10116101Jun 27, 2017Electrical system. PITSTOP: TPMS SENSOR POSITION - When diagnosing TPMS-related DTCs, make sure you are investigating the correct sensor. The TPMS positioning from the manufacturer may be different from the positioning shown on a KDS.
• 10109855Mar 21, 2017Equipment, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). TSB: DEFOGGING LOGIC ? NORMAL OPERATION, DISABLING, AND ENABLING - Starting with 2010MY, all Kia vehicles, except Rio (JB), incorporate a defogging logic to prevent the interior windows from becoming excessively fogged. Depending on the specific model, the HVAC control head monitors ambient temperature and/or cabin humidity to determine which settings will best prevent the windows from fogging.
• 10109817Feb 28, 2017Body and structure. TSB: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL - To improve customer satisfaction, Kia is launching this service campaign to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014MY Sorento, 2011-2014MY Optima and Optima Hybrid, 2011-2014MY Sportage, and 2010-2013MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one of…
• 10109813Jan 18, 2017Engine cooling. PITSTOP: MANUAL EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS TEST FOR HARD TO FIND/SMALL LEAKS - If the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is illuminated with DTC(s) P0442, P0455, P0456, or P0457 (Evaporative Emissions System-Leak detected) and the evaporative (EVAP) leak self-test resulted in NTF, a manual EVAP test is recommended.
• 10109812Jan 18, 2017Equipment. TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking…
• 10109816Jan 10, 2017Body and structure. SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER LETTER - Advises Owners of certain 2011-2013 MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles currently registered in the states where heavy amounts of road salt are used of a service campaign to add additional anti-corrosion material to underbody components of vehicle.
• 10109874Dec 6, 2016Body and structure. TSB: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL - To improve customer satisfaction, Kia is launching this service campaign to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014MY Sorento, 2011-2014MY Optima and Optima Hybrid, 2011-2014MY Sportage, and 2010-2013MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one of…
• 10109877Dec 5, 2016Body and structure. Questions and answers for voluntary service campaign sc141 ? Underbody ? Additional anti-corrosion treatment
• 10109876Dec 5, 2016Body and structure. SERVICE MANAGER MEMO: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - Attention: All Kia Service Managers - Kia Motors America, Inc. will be conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a preventative measure, to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014 MY Sorento, 2011-2014 MY Optima and Optima Hybrid, 2011-2014 MY Sportage, and 2010-2013 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles originally retailed…
• 10109875Dec 5, 2016Body and structure. DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO: SC141 - SERVICE CAMPAIGN - Attention: All Kia Dealer Principals - Kia Motors America, Inc. will be conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a preventative measure, to apply additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2011-2014 MY Sorento, 2011-2014 MY Optima and Optima Hybrid, 2011-2014 MY Sportage, and 2010-2013 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles originally…
• 10109777Nov 4, 2016Equipment, Latches, locks and linkages. TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.?
• 10109788Oct 31, 2016Electrical system, Equipment. TSB: INHIBITOR SWITCH DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION - This bulletin gives information regarding the steps to take regarding the diagnosis of the Inhibitor Switch.
• 10090945Sep 30, 2016Equipment. Pitstop: hvac receiver/dryer - desiccant replacement - in the event of a hvac system concern in which metal particles or shards have contaminated the system, the desiccant or the entire a/c receiver/dryer assembly may need to be replaced. This is due to the fact that it may be impossible to remove all metal contaminants from the receiver/dryer during the a/c flushing procedure. Refer to the included table for…
• 10090824Sep 13, 2016Steering. Tsb rev1: mdps flexible coupling replacement - this bulletin is issued to provide information about the replacement of the flexible coupling in the mdps motor of some vehicles which might experience a “knock” noise originating from the mdps, when moving the steering wheel to right or left when the vehicle is stopped. This is caused by premature wear of the flexible coupling in the mdps motor.
• 10089591Aug 16, 2016Steering. Tsb: mdps flexible coupling replacement - this bulletin is issued to provide information about the replacement of the flexible coupling in the mdps motor of some vehicles which might experience a “knock” noise originating from the mdps, when moving the steering wheel to right or left when the vehicle is stopped. This is caused by premature wear of the flexible coupling in the mdps motor.
• 10183431Apr 4, 2016Equipment, Electrical system. TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones.
• 10088983Oct 19, 2015Electrical system. Tsb: kds - audio update module (aum) - the gds audio update module (aum) was introduced in fourth quarter of 2013. This special service tool (sst) was developed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of updating 2010my, and later, kia audio head units using a gds, and now, the same functionality is available on kds. Some technicians may not be aware of the benefits the aum tool has to offer.
• 10116821Aug 12, 2015Equipment, Electrical system. TSB: IDENTIFYING HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE VERSION FOR DIRECT EXCHANGE - Identifying Head Unit Software Version For Direct Exchange (ELE091) (Rev 1) - This bulletin provides the procedure on how to identify and record the head unit software level on various head unit platforms and generations. This procedure will now be required when ordering head units through the Direct Exchange Program (see Parts Bulletin 91-961-0005).
• 10089354Aug 12, 2015Electrical system. Tsb: identifying head unit software version for direct exchange - this bulletin provides the procedure on how to identify and record the head unit software level on various head unit platforms and generations. This procedure will now be required when ordering head units through the direct exchange program.

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