# Recalls that may apply to the 2012 Kia Forte

A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.

## United States (NHTSA), as of 2026-10-19

- [23V652000](/recalls/nhtsa/23V652000.md), 2023-09-25: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. 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. **NHTSA advises: park outside, away from buildings, until the repair is done.**
- [20V750000](/recalls/nhtsa/20V750000.md), 2020-12-02: ENGINE. 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.
- [18V363000](/recalls/nhtsa/18V363000.md), 2018-06-01: AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE. 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. Built 2009\-02\-24 to 2012\-08\-31.
- [17V773000](/recalls/nhtsa/17V773000.md), 2017-12-01: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES. 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. Built 2012\-05\-02 to 2014\-02\-28.

## Canada (Transport Canada), as of 2026-10-19

- [2023529](/recalls/tc/2023529.md), 2023-09-26: Brakes. Issue: On certain vehicles, the brake hydraulic electronic control unit \(HECU\) could short circuit.  Safety Risk: A short circuit could create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.  Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the fuse\(s\) for the HECU. Kia recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been completed.
- [2020597](/recalls/tc/2020597.md), 2020-12-04: Engine. Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.0 L NU GDI or 2.4 L Theta II MPI engine, an engine compartment fire could occur while driving. Kia is conducting this recall as a preventative measure to prevent fire risk due to potential fuel leaks, oil leaks and/or engine damage. In some situations, you may notice any of the following symptoms: there could be an abnormal knocking noise from the engine; the check engine light and/or the oil pressure warning light could turn on; you may smell fuel, burning or smoke; or you may notice oil leaks. If you continue to drive the vehicle with these symptoms, the engine could fail and/or a fire could occur.  An engine failure can cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: For the Optima model, only the Optima Hybrid is affected by this recall.  Safety Risk: An engine compartment fire can create a risk of injury. A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash.  Corrective Action: Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer for an inspection of the engine and engine compartment. The dealer will inspect for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, if necessary. Kia will also perform a Knock Sensor Detection System \(KSDS\) software update free of charge, once it is available for your vehicle. This update will detect and prevent engine damage from worn connecting rod bearings.
- [2018301](/recalls/tc/2018301.md), 2018-06-08: Airbag. On certain gasoline and hybrid engine vehicles, the circuits within the airbag control unit may become damaged. This could cause the airbags and seat belt pretensioners to not deploy in certain collisions where deployment is warranted, which could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Correction: Dealers will install a wire harness kit between the ACU connector and vehicle harness connector as necessary. Note: This recall does not affect the 2013 model year Optima Hybrid.
- [2017626](/recalls/tc/2017626.md), 2017-12-13: Brakes. On certain vehicles, the brake pedal stopper pad material could deteriorate over time and allow the stop lamp switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This could result in the stop lamps illuminating continuously, which would result in following road users being unaware of the driver's intentions. Additionally, it could result in activation of the engine management system’s brake pedal override feature, the illumination of the traction control warning lamp, and/or the ability to move the shift lever without depressing the brake pedal, which could result in unintended vehicle movement. These conditions could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad.

## Check a VIN

- [NHTSA recall lookup by VIN, United States](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls)
- [Transport Canada recall search, Canada](https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/menu.aspx?lang=eng)

Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.

JSON: [/v1/vehicles/2012_kia_forte/recalls](/v1/vehicles/2012_kia_forte/recalls)

[Report an error on this page](https://github.com/wenmar-pro/wenmar-open/issues/new?template=data_correction.yml&title=Data%20correction%3A%202012%20Kia%20Forte&page=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.wenmarpro.com%2Fmakes%2Fkia%2Fforte%2F2012%2Frecalls&vehicle=2012%20Kia%20Forte)