I previous report number 11384011, pictures uploaded: driving to repair location on freeway and the car starting smoking and burst into flame from the engine. Managed to stop and got out of the burning car. I immediately called fire service who came and stop the burning. Car towed to Kia dealership facility. *ln *as*jb
2012 Kia Forte body problems
severe 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
2crashes
1fire
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 7 body complaints filed for the 2012 Kia Forte, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Kia Forte in our records for body problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2012 Kia Forte?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2012 Kia Forte?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 73,681 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Kia/Forte.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.