NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Kia Forte. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
I WAS PULLED OVER BY A [XXX] AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT EXACT PROBLEM ON 2009-2010 MODELS BUT THERE WAS NOT ONE YET ON 2012 MODELS. MY TAIL LIGHTS WORK, BUT MY BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I WAS PULLED OVER BY TRANSIT POLICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. IF THE PROBLEM FALLS TO THE WARRANTY THEY WILL DO IT, BUT I STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CHECK-UP. MY TAIL LIGHTS WORK, BUT MY BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE. IS THERE A RECALL? *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET WHEN I ALL OF A SUDDEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE COME FROM ABOVE. SECONDS LATER, I START HEARING SOME RATTLING ABOVE ME. WHEN I AM ABLE TO PULL OVER, I OPEN THE COVER TO THE SUN ROOF AND A PIECE OF GLASS FALLS. I IMMEDIATELY CLOSE THE COVER AGAIN SO NO MORE GLASS CAN FALL INTO THE CAR. MY SUN ROOF IMPLODED AND BROKE EVERYWHERE. THANKFULLY I HAD THE SUN ROOF COVER CLOSED OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT. I READ ONLINE THAT HAD HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE BEFORE BUT KIA TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SUN ROOF AND SOMETHING HAD TO OF FALLEN ON THE GLASS CAUSING IT BREAK. I ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY MY DEDUCTIBLE.
THEIR CONDITION HOLD ON A 2012 KIA FORTE BROKE HAVE TALKED TO OTHER OWNERS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE KIA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS OVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD THAT THE BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE DID NOT COVER THE AIR CONDITIONING HOSE. I THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND HAVE A RECALL TO REPAIR ALL THE HOSES ON THE KEY IS THE BREAK. *TR
WHILE DRIVING A 2012 KIA FORTE EX WITH 21000 MILES AND NEXEN 195/65/15 CP671 TIRES,, A FRONT TIRE SEPARATION OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. 10 DAYS LATER A REAR TIRE SEPARATION OCCURRED ALSO DURING NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING. *JS
THE CAR GOT A FLAT TIRE WHILE TAKING A CURVE AND HIT A CONCRETE POLE. THE CAR WAS TOTAL LOSS AND ALL THE FRONT PART WAS SMASHED. THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG WAS THE ONLY TO DEPLOY BUT DID NOT DEPLOY ALL THE WAY, SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOYED. DRIVER GOT A CLAVICLE FRACTURE. ....UPDATED 01/23/15 *BF UPDATED 2/11/16 *JS
MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. I CHECKED AND NOTHING HIT IT, JUST EXPLODED. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE LOUD EXPLOSION. *TR
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN APRIL 2014 AND SINCE THEN I'VE HAD ABOUT THREE TIMES WHERE THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AS I'M APPROACHING A LIGHT AND THE CAR ACCELERATES AND LURCHES FORWARD, AGAIN, WHILE BRAKING. ANOTHER TIME, JUNE 8, 2015, I WAS DRIVING AND APPLIED THE BRAKE TO AVOID A DIP IN THE ROAD AND IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE SLIPPING AND THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING. IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED, BUT IF THERE WERE A CAR IN FRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT IT. THE MOMENTS ARE NOT CONSISTENT BUT WHEN THEY HAPPEN, IT IS A SERIOUS CONCERN.
LEFT REAR BRAKE "WORE OUT" AND THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS SUGGESTED TO BE REPLACED. THE REAR AXLE BRAKES WERE AT OUR COST. KIA REGIONAL CLAIMS THIS IS "NORMAL" AS THE DEALERSHIP (FICCILLO KIA, LIVERPOOL, NY) SAYS THEY HAVE "SEEN THIS BEFORE." THAT BOTHERS ME. IF IS A KNOWN PROBLEM...........? KIA REGIONAL HAS STOPPED RESPONDING. *TR
SEPTEMBER 24TH AT 6:30 A.M. TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON 91 FREEWAY. START TO SLOW AND THEN STOP FOR TRAFFIC. TRAFFIC STARTS TO SPEED UP AND MY VEHICLE GOES INTO ?LIMP MODE?. CAR REV METER GOES UP TO ABOUT 5, BUT CAR WILL NOT GO FASTER THAN APPROX. 35 MPH. THEN WITHIN 20 SECONDS CAR SURGES FORWARD AND REGAINS SPEED AND REV COUNTER DROPS TO NORMAL. TAKE CAR TO KIA DEALER ITS PLUGGED INTO THE COMPUTER. AT 3PM HE SAYS THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES. HE AND I TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE FOR APPROX. 20 MILES AND IT DOES NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I ADVISE HIM THAT IT HAS DONE THIS TWICE BEFORE BUT ONLY FOR A FEW SECONDS. OCTOBER 1 AT 6:40A.M I AM TRAVELING TO WORK ON THE 91 FREEWAY. I AM DOING 65 MPH AND START SLOWING DOWN TO APPROX. 20 MPH AS I PASS THE 55 INTERCHANGE. AGAIN TRAFFIC SPEEDS UP RAPIDLY. I AM IN THE MIDDLE LANE. I ACCELERATE AND IT GOES INTO ?LIMP MODE?. THE CAR WILL NOT GO FASTER THAN APPROX. 35/40 MILES PER HOUR. THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON. CARS ARE GOING PAST ME AS I AM IN A MIDDLE LANE AND I NEARLY GET REAR ENDED AS A CAR BEHIND ME DOES NOT REALIZE MY SPEED. I PULL INTO THE SLOW LANE JUST IN CASE I NEED TO PULL TO THE HARD SHOULDER. I CONTINUE SLOWLY 5 MILES TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY BY WORK. I NOTICE A BURNING SMELL. I GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND SMELL A VERY STRONG SMELL OF BURNING THAT SMELLS ALL OVER BUT APPEARS TO BE VERY MUCH STRONGER ON THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE AREA. I TURN THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN I TURN THE ENGINE BACK ON THERE IS NO WARNING INDICATOR ON. *TR
A HUMMING SOUND / AND VIBRATION IS COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT & DOES NOT COINCIDE WITH ENGINE RPM. FASTER THE SPEED THE LOUDER IT GETS THE LOUDEST @ 45MPH. SOUND IS LIKE A SMALL MOTORCYCLE IT'S NEXT TO YOU. HAVE ALREADY ROTATED/BALANCED TIRES & DIDN'T HELP. IT IS ALMOST A TRANSMISSION WHINE BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE W/ SHIFTING OR WHEN IN NEUTRAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUFFERED CONTUSIONS, A BRAIN INJURY, AND WAS IN A COMA FOR TWO WEEKS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE MOUTH, CHIN, LIP, AND SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT WAS HOSPITALIZED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
MY 2012 KIA FORTE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RACING, AND ACTING LIKE IT IS OUT OF GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. I ALSO GET PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS: I GET TOLD THAT THEY'RE OUT WHEN THEY AREN'T. I DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES ON MY VEHICLE. IT STARTED IN APRIL, 2014, AT FIRST OCCASIONALLY, BUT NOW IT IS ALMOST CONSTANT. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT FOUND AND FIXED, I AM IN DANGER OF LOSING MY TRANSMISSION AND WORSE....UPDATED 12/10/15 *BF
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. DEALER RESPONSE WAS THAT FLOOR MATS ALWAYS GIVE AWAY FROM WEAR AND TEAR AT 17K MILES WITHOUT WARNING-CAUSING ME NEAR FATAL OTHER ACCIDENTS. *TR
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO EXCEED 2000 RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE RIMS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE AS THE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT BOTH TAIL LIGHTS ALSO FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SENSOR SWITCH LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,600.
THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE FRONT SEAT AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THE PASSENGER WAS KILLED AND THE DRIVER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. KIA WAS INFORMED AND THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO BE NOT WORKING.
THIS IS A CORRECTION TO A COMPLAINT FILED LAST WEEK. I CHECKED NO ON THE FATALITIES QUESTION. THE KIA WAS IN A SERIOUS FATAL FRONTAL IMPACT BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. KIA TESTED THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE AND IT HAD NO FAULT CODES AND DID NOT RECORD ANY CRASH DATA. KIA HAS THE MODULE NOW. THE OTHER CARS AIRBAGS WORKED AND THE DRUNK DRIVER SURVIVED...UPDATED 10/15/15 *BF ...UPDATED 12/29/15 *BF THE DATA SHOWED THAT THERE WERE NO STORED OR DIAGNOSTIC FAULT CODES. THERE WAS NO CRASH RECORD RECORDED BY THE ACU. UPDATED 4/18/18*JB *JS *JS
AT 60,000 MY RIGHT FRONT STRUT WENT OUT. WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. ALSO MY AUTO DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR LOCK CLICKER AS EVER WORKED TRIED TO GET IT REPLACED STILL WON'T WORK. *TR
I WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY APPROX. 3 FEET WHEN THE CAR LURCHED BACKWARDS AT FULL RPM WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE GAS PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET THE CAR TO STOP WAS TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. IT WAS LIKE THE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING AND THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK. THIS "PROBLEM" CAUSED DAMAGE TO A SUPPORT BEAM OF A CARPORT CAUSING IT TO FAIL AND FALL ON A CAR PARKED UNDERNEATH. I KNOW THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS SUCH AS THIS ON THIS EXACT CAR, WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN ANY INVESTIGATIONS AND/OR RECALLS ON THIS CAR? THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CAR. BY THE WAY, THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR AND NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND PARKED, THE ENGINE STARTED RACING. THE VEHICLE STOPPING AFTER RUNNING FOR ONE FULL HOUR. THE CONTACT HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED LATER AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAGS INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE COATING AROUND THE WIRE NEAR THE EMERGENCY BRAKES HAD MELTED AND LEFT THE WIRES EXPOSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY AND THERE WAS A LOUD BANG/EXPLOSION. I PULLED OFF AND STARTED CLOSING THE SUNROOF WHEN I NOTICED IT WAS SHATTERED AND A LARGE PIECE FELL OUT. IT WAS 58' WITH A SMOOTH ROAD AND I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH WITH NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OR TO THE SIDE OF ME. THE SUNROOF WAS OPEN ALL THE WAY AT THE TIME OF THE BREAKAGE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES AND WITH EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. ON THE FOURTH VISIT TO THE DEALER, THE GROUND WIRE WAS CONNECTED TO THE LIGHT BULB AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,263.
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. *TR
MY VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ONLY MINIMALLY WITH PRESENTLY 23540 MILES REGISTERED ON THE ODOMETER. SINCE NEW, THE ENGINE HAS ALWAYS EXPERIENCED PRE-IGNITION AND PINGING, ESPECIALLY UNDER LIGHT LOAD. I SUSPECT A PROBLEM WITH THE SPARK TIMING EXISTS. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS A PISTON SLAPPING SOUND HEARD DURING COLD ENGINE OPERATION. IT IS CERTAINLY NOT A NORMAL SOUND. BOTH PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED SOON AFTER VEHICLE PURCHASE IN 2012. THE SERVICE DEALERSHIP CONCLUDED THAT THE SOUNDS WERE NORMAL FOR THE ENGINE DESIGN. MY CONCERN IS THAT EITHER CONDITION CAN LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT NOTICED CONDENSATION UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ACCUMULATION OF WATER ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWO TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSIS BY A WATER SPECIALIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150. ... UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF
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... I RAN ABOUT 20 FEET AWAY FOR SAFETY REASONS, SO I AM NOT SURE WHERE IT STARTED, BUT WITHIN ABOUT 30 SECONDS, THE FLAMES CAME OUT OF THE SIDES AND FRONT OF THE HOOD. MY BOYFRIEND THINKS IT WAS ABOUT WHERE THE FUSE BOX IS, BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE HE NOTICED THE PAINT START TO BUBBLE OFF. HE IS A MECHANIC AND HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR, THROUGH THE DASH IS DISINTEGRATED. MY AIRBAGS MELTED AND POURED OUT OF THE DASH AND ROOF, UPHOLSTERY MELTED OFF THE SEATS, AND DOOR PANELS BUBBLED UP. ALL THE SPEAKERS BLEW AND MELTED. IT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY, IF I HAD KIDS IN THE BACK OR COULDN'T HAVE PULLED OVER IN TIME, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS. I AM VERY THANKFUL IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON MY WAY TO WORK, AS I DRIVE IN TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY WITH NO SHOULDER. I HAD NO ELECTRONIC MODIFICATIONS. IT WAS ENTIRELY STOCK, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WINDOW TINT, EXHAUST, A LOWERING KIT, AND AFTERMARKET TIRES AND WHEELS--ALL WHICH WERE INSTALLED BY PROFESSIONALS. THE CAR HAD 8900 MILES ON IT AND ALL MAINTENANCE WORK HAD BEEN DONE. EVEN 3 OIL CHANGES- EVEN THOUGH KIA CLAIMS THE CAR CAN GO 7K WITHOUT ONE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS GOING TO TREAT IT AS A TOTAL LOSS AND DO AN INVESTIGATION ON IT. KIA HAS A CASE GOING BUT HAVE NOT YET SENT AN ENGINEER OUT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION AND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, IT WOULD NOT RELEASE TO THE FLOORBOARD UNTIL REPEATED FORCE WAS APPLIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900. UPDATED 07/16/13*LJ
MARTIN GLASS COMPANY (AGRSS REGISTERED) REPLACED A FACTORY INSTALLED WINDSHIELD ON 04/18/2012. OUR TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO PUSH MOST OF THE WINDSHIELD OUT WITHOUT HAVING TO CUT THE URETHANE BEAD. THE URETHANE BEAD PULLED RIGHT OFF THE WINDSHIELD, AND WAS ONLY ADHERED TO ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WINDSHIELD PERIMETER. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT HAD IT BEEN, THE WINDSHIELD WOULD NOT HAVE REMAINED INTACT. THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS DUE TO THIS FACTORY INSTALLED IMPROPER INSTALLATION WAS COMPROMISED. *JS
DRIVING IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO AN ALLEY. VEHICLE THEN RAPIDLY ACCELERATED THROUGH THE ALLEY AND THEN SMASHED INTO A TREE. CAN'T REMEMBER IF BRAKES WERE APPLIED OR NOT. IT ALL HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY. KIA FORTE WAS TOTALED AND DRIVER WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH EXTENSIVE INJURIES (FOOT BROKEN, HAND BROKEN, VERTEBRAE DAMAGE) HOSPITALIZED APPROX. 5 DAYS AND NURSING HOME APPROX. 10 DAYS. LAST VISIT TO SURGEON FOR SMASHED FOOT (TO REMOVE METAL PINS) WAS IN APRIL OF 2013. ACCIDENT REPORT ON FILE WITH CAPE CORAL POLICE (AGENCY CASE NUMBER [XXX]) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
BOUGHT MY 2012 KIA FORTE EX ON 11/12/2011. RIGHT AFTER MY FIRST OIL CHANGE FROM THE KIA DEALER. I TOOK IT HOME AND PARKED IT IN MY GARAGE. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN FRIDAY 1/21/2012 . WE WERE GOING TO DINNER ON SATURDAY 01/22/2012. AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. TOOK 10 MINUTES. WITH GASOLINE SMELL IN CAR. WE LET THE AIR CLEAR OUT. WELL TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR INTO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM DUE TO NO LIGHT OR SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT GOING OFF. IT IS NOW 12/21/2012. AND STILL HAVING ISSUES WHICH IS A VERY VERY BAD SAFETY ISSUE. ON 12/17/2012 I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE AND HAD A VERY BAD RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CAR. AGAIN I CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID BRING IT UP. SO I DID SO. MY GENERAL MANAGER AS WELL AS FELLOW EMPLOYEES SMELLED THE FUEL ODOR ALSO. GENERAL MANAGER SAID TO ME THAT HE FELT THAT THIS WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. NOW PROHIBITING ME FROM PARKING THIS CAR NEAR OUR FACILITY. ANYWAY I DROVE IT TO FT. WAYNE TO THE DEALER WITH ALL 4 WINDOWS DOWN UNTIL ENTERING FT. WAYNE. IT STARTED RAINING. I HAD TO ROLL THEM ALL UP. AT DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER SMELT THE TERRIBLE SMELL AS WELL AS AN CUSTOMER AND TECHNICIAN. THEY WENT THROUGH EVERYTHING NOT FINDING ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TESTS THEY DID. ON 12/20/2012. I WAS TOLD TO COME AND PICK MY CAR UP (REPS ORDER.) SINCE THEY COULD NOT GET THIS TO REOCCUR. SO IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE AN BABY AND 2 OTHER CHILDREN AND US THAT ARE PUT INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION JUST BECAUSE THEY CANNOT PINPOINT THIS ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS AN NO START OR MISFIRE THEN THE FUEL SMELL IS THERE FOR DAYS. MY FEAR IS THAT THE FUMES WILL MAKE US SICK OR EVEN AN EXPLOSION. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL FIREMEN WHO HAVE EXPLAINED TO ME WHAT MAY OR COULD HAPPEN. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING MY FAMILY AND MYSELF INTO THIS DANGER? THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
I BOUGHT MY 2012 KIA FORTE EX ON 11/12/2011. RIGHT AFTER MY FIRST OIL CHANGE FROM THE KIA DEALER. I TOOK IT HOME AND PARKED IT IN MY GARAGE. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN FRIDAY JAN. 21 2011. WE WERE GOING TO DINNER ON SATURDAY 01/22/2012. AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. TOOK 10 MINUTES. WITH GASOLINE SMELL IN CAR. WE LET THE AIR CLEAR OUT. WELL TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR INTO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM DUE TO NO LIGHT OR SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT GOING OFF. IT IS NOW 12/21/2012. AND STILL HAVING ISSUES WHICH IS A VERY VERY BAD SAFETY ISSUE. ON 12/17/2012 I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE AND HAD A VERY BAD RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CAR. AGAIN I CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID BRING IT UP. SO I DID SO. MY GENERAL MANAGER AS WELL AS FELLOW EMPLOYEES SMELLED THE FUEL ODOR ALSO. GENERAL MANAGER SAID TO ME THAT HE FELT THAT THIS WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. NOW PROHIBITING ME FROM PARKING THIS CAR NEAR OUR FACILITY. ANYWAY I DROVE IT TO FT. WAYNE TO THE DEALER WITH ALL 4 WINDOWS DOWN UNTIL ENTERING FT. WAYNE. IT STARTED RAINING. I HAD TO ROLL THEM ALL UP. AT DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER SMELT THE TERRIBLE SMELL AS WELL AS AN CUSTOMER AND TECHNICIAN. THEY WENT THROUGH EVERYTHING NOT FINDING ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TESTS THEY DID. ON 12/20/2012. I WAS TOLD TO COME AND PICK MY CAR UP (REPS ORDER.) SINCE THEY COULD NOT GET THIS TO REOCCUR. SO IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE AN BABY AND 2 OTHER CHILDREN AND US THAT ARE PUT INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION JUST BECAUSE THEY CANNOT PINPOINT THIS ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS AN NO START OR MISFIRE THEN THE FUEL SMELL IS THERE FOR DAYS. MY FEAR IS THAT THE FUMES WILL MAKE US SICK OR EVEN AN EXPLOSION. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL FIREMEN WHO HAVE EXPLAINED TO ME WHAT MAY OR COULD HAPPEN. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING MY FAMILY AND MYSELF INTO THIS DANGER? THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Car is not included in recall, engine noise piston knocking, loss of power. Took to dealer, dealer said this is normal. Car has loss of power on highways with excessive piston slap which is getting increasingly noiser . Engine mileage 156000. Problem was there since day one from dealer.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026