Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 2012 Kia Forte: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
166 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 20V750000.
52 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 17V773000, 23V652000.
37 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 18V363000.
32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on December 1, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 134,366 vehicles across all affected models.
Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on June 1, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 507,587 vehicles across all affected models.
Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on December 2, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 294,756 vehicles across all affected models.
Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on September 25, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 1,730,192 vehicles across all affected models. Owners are advised to park outside because of a fire risk.
Park Outside AdvisoryNHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Loss of Motive Power. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Engine Fires. Resulted in recall campaign 23V877.
Air bags may be disabled during crash. Resulted in recall campaign 18E043000.
Air bags may be disabled during crash. Resulted in recall campaign 18E043000.
Air bags may be disabled during crash. Resulted in recall campaign 18E043000.
Air bags may be disabled during crash. Resulted in recall campaign 18E043000.
Air bags may be disabled during crash. Resulted in recall campaign 18E043000.
Air bags may be disabled during crash. Resulted in recall campaign 18E043000.
Air bags may be disabled during crash. Resulted in recall campaign 18E043000.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.