How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Forte Koup have?

The 2012 Kia Forte Koup has 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2012 Kia Forte Koup has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2012 Kia Forte Koup?

Of 17 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is engine.

2012 Kia Forte Koup Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2012 Kia Forte Koup has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,666,901 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 23V652000 2023-09-25 1,730,192 affected

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an…

Consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June…

ENGINE 20V750000 2020-12-02 294,756 affected

Defect

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

Consequence

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. …

AIR BAGS 18V363000 2018-06-01 507,587 affected

Defect

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.

Consequence

If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the…

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 17V773000 2017-12-01 134,366 affected

Defect

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the…

Consequence

If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the…

Remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC158.

Complaints by component

ENGINE

AIR BAGS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Total complaints17

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The contact owns a 2012 kia forte koup. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, white smoke was coming from under the hood. While the independent mechanic was starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The mechanic turned off the vehicle. The contact…”

ENGINE · reported 2025-05-02

“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia forte koup. The contact stated that the check engine warning light would illuminate intermittently for several months. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced. The vehicle was taken to valley kia of fontana (16272 s. Highland ave, fontana, ca…”

ENGINE · reported 2020-03-02

“While driving at 70mph on the highway heard a tapping sound from the engine. Towed to the kia dealership. Mechanic found that the connecting rod bearing failed, ruining the engine (2.4l). Quoted $6,000 for repair. 82,000 miles. All maintenance done on time. Dealer and kia corporate denied any help…”

ENGINE · reported 2018-12-17

“I heard a knock coming from the engine and suddenly the car died while driving in the city the check engine light came on and would not start up again but the power was still on for lights, etc. I had to have it towed to the repair shop. I was told the engine is shot. After researching the kia…”

ENGINE · reported 2018-10-04

“While driving, engine made a sound like a ticking noise then just blew. Oil all over the engine bay and ground. A lot of smoke coming from under the hood. Would not start or do anything. Glad it didn't catch fire with all the oil everywhere. Had to have it towed. Took it to mechanic, come to find…”

ENGINE · reported 2018-10-02

“While driving this car, I heard a knock coming from the engine!! I had it towed to a kia dealer and was told that I needed a new engine! This is unacceptable for car that is only 6 years old and all maintenance kept up to date!! I did some checking and other kia engines with similar or same engine…”

ENGINE · reported 2018-08-23

“My car started over heating at stop and go traffic so I checked everything and found out my coolant fan resister was melting..I checked to see if it was a recall on that part and it was but I dont think it was change because everything the recall web site said would happen did.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2018-07-01

“My car started over heating at stop and go traffic so I checked everything and found out my coolant fan resister was melting..I checked to see if it was a recall on that part and it was but I dont think it was change because everything the recall web site said would happen did.”

ENGINE · reported 2018-07-01

Defect investigations

Investigation AQ23002 Opened 2023-11-17 · open

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured…

Investigation DP22003 Opened 2022-09-12 · closed 2023-12-12

Loss of Motive Power

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles…

Investigation EA21003 Opened 2021-12-22 · closed 2024-02-05

Engine Fires

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.Â During the PE…