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…
2012 Kia Forte engine problems
severe 123 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
123
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
8fires
When does it fail?
Of the 123 engine complaints filed for the 2012 Kia Forte, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
Engine accounts for 43% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 11 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 123 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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.…
Engine always has had excessive blow by. And noise. Smell fuel at times. Der sys its normal for this car.
Had engine 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 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?
Across the 82 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 77,000 and 126,000 miles, with the median around 102,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 77,000; a quarter make it past 126,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
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.