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NHTSA model-year recall report

2012 Kia Forte Recalls

4 campaigns in our verified NHTSA snapshot, with source consequences, remedies, and VIN-specific next steps.

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Urgent NHTSA instruction

Park Outside advisory found

1 campaign carries a Park Outside instruction. Read the highlighted campaign details below and confirm applicability to your VIN immediately.

Campaign 23V652000

4

NHTSA campaigns

4

Affected systems

1

Urgent advisories

Sep 25, 2023

Latest campaign date

At a glance

What the record says

This model year's count is above the Kia Forte average of 2.6 campaigns per listed year. That is context only—not proof that this year is safer or less safe.

The most frequent affected category is Engine, appearing in 1 campaign.

  1. 1

    Read

    Review every campaign and urgent instruction below.

  2. 2

    Verify

    Check your exact VIN with NHTSA or the manufacturer.

  3. 3

    Repair

    Contact an authorized dealer if a campaign applies.

Source campaign records

All 2012 Kia Forte recall campaigns

Shown newest first. NHTSA summary, consequence, and remedy text is preserved without truncation.

Park outside and away from structures

NHTSA campaign 23V652000

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

Reported Sep 25, 2023

What is recalled

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 electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 20V750000

Engine

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Reported Dec 2, 2020

What is recalled

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.

Safety consequence

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 18V363000

Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Reported Jun 1, 2018

What is recalled

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 17V773000

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Reported Dec 1, 2017

What is recalled

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 shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.

Safety 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 transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

Other Kia Forte model years

Compare campaign histories within the same model. Counts are descriptive, not a safety grade.

20233 campaigns20221 campaign20212 campaigns20192 campaigns20183 campaigns20173 campaigns20161 campaign20151 campaign20143 campaigns20135 campaigns
View all model years

Other 2012 Kia recall reports

2012 Kia Optima5 campaigns2012 Kia Sedona5 campaigns2012 Kia Sorento5 campaigns2012 Kia Sportage5 campaigns2012 Kia Forte Koup4 campaigns2012 Kia Optima Hybrid3 campaigns

2012 Kia Forte recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Forte have?

This verified dataset contains 4 NHTSA campaigns associated with the 2012 Kia Forte. A campaign can apply to some, not all, vehicles of the same model year.

Does this confirm an open recall for my 2012 Kia Forte?

No. This page is a model-year campaign history. Use NHTSA's official lookup or an authorized dealer to confirm whether a campaign applies to your exact VIN and whether the repair remains open.

Are vehicle recall repairs free?

When a safety recall campaign applies to your VIN, the manufacturer remedy is generally provided at no charge through an authorized dealer. Confirm eligibility and scheduling with the manufacturer or dealer.

Source: NHTSA. Dataset includes campaigns through Jul 30, 2026. Last processed Aug 8, 2026. Methodology