PURCHASED MY KIA FORTE 2.4L HATCHBACK USED 5 YEARS AGO WITH 42,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AND HAVE CHANGED TO OIL AT THE RECOMMENDED INTERVALS AND PARTICIPATED IN THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE AT CERTIFIED KIA DEALERS ONLY. IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, OIL LEVEL NEVER DECREASED SO THERE WERE NO LEAKS. I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A 3-HOUR TRIP WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED T…
2012 kia Forte engine problems
severe 123 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
123
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
FAILING OIL PUMP AT 140K MILES
2012 KIA FORTE KOUP DRIVING ON A 45MPH ROAD WHEN WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE SEIZED CAUSING DANGEROUS SITUATION ATTEMPTING TO PULL CAR TO SIDE WITHOUT POWER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DELEARSHIP FOR WARRANTY SERVICE AS CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WAS DENIED WARRANTY SERVICE FOR LUDICROUS REFUSAL TO ACCEPT MAINTENANCE RECORDS BECAUSE I SCANNED THE ORIGINALS AND WOULD NOT HAND OVER THE ORIGINALS. VEHICLE…
ENGINE ALWAYS HAS HAD EXCESSIVE BLOW BY. AND NOISE. SMELL FUEL AT TIMES. DER SYS ITS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2012 kia Forte?
It's a meaningful issue. 123 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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