I bought my 2012 Kia Forte 2.0L with 30,000 miles 3 years ago. I now have 100,955 miles. Maintenance has been kept up and vehicle has been working fine with no issues. My husband was driving and was at a stop light when the car just shut down. When you would turn the key you would here 1 click and then nothing. We bought a starter because we tested the starter on the vehicle and it was bad. Still even after replacing the starter you would only hear one click. I had a mechanic come look at the car only to tell me that my engine has locked up. Says its caused by poor maintenance and/or bad design. He said the first thing he checked was the maintenance and everything was perfect on the car, but again my engine was locked up.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

Ive been driving my car for several weeks with poor performance, rough starts, and bad fuel economy. On my way to work one morning, my check engine light appeared. Later that day I took it advanced auto parts and got a 'P200A' code. I took my car to a nearby shop and had a diagnostic done which cost me $103.19. I purchased the vcm motor assembly which also cost me $244.25. Once I removed the old part I realized that the plastic piece that connects into the manifold was completely disintegrated.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

Vehicle has a severe internal engine knock and will require rebuilding or replaced. It has 112,000 miles and has been serviced at the required intervals with Kia specified products. 2.0 liter engine.

- Lenoir City, TN, USA

Kia, Hyundai theta 2.4 engine failure, under 100K miles. I have a 2012 Kia Forte hatch sx with the 2.4 engine. I purchased it from sunset Kia of auburn valley wa with 66,000 miles not quite 3 years ago. In that time I've put about 30K miles on the car. I've had the oil changed regularly, and it has never been low. Last week, on August 11, 2019, while driving to work the engine seized on the highway. I lost power steering and brake assist. I was able to pull off the road without causing an accident, but only because of the time of day. Had it happened during heavier traffic a significant accident could have occurred. From online research it appears that this is a common problem for this car and others that that use the same theta II engine. This car/engine should be recalled.

- Marysville, WA, USA

I had bought the car used 5 years ago with 36,000 miles on it. I have had no problems with the car for the at time span. I had changed to oil at the recommended intervals using oem oil filters and full synthetic oil. I was driving home from work when the engine started to develop a rattling noise. As I made a left turn onto a country road traveling at a speed of 45mph the rattling had got more noticeable and the engine had a lost of power. Eventually the rattling turn into a metallic crunching noise before the engine completely shut off on its own. I had pulled to the side of the road to further inspect the problem and that is when I had discovered engine oil coating the engine compartment and leaking onto the ground. The engine would not restarted leaving me stranded on the side of the road until a tow vehicle had arrived.

- Grafton, OH, USA

I was driving the car at 40 mph when approaching the ramp to the highway (65 mph) and began to hear a lot of noise coming from the engine (sounded like metal scrapping). I began to pull over to the shoulder but the engine stopped running before I could get to the shoulder and note no instrument panel warning lights came on. I coasted to the shoulder of the road, put the car in park, attempted to start the car, all the instrument panel lights were flashing, and then dark smoke was coming out from the hood. I got out of the car as I thought it was on fire but could not open the hood as it was extremely hot. I waited and then tried again, finally, opening the hood with a rag. The car was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the engine seized, I had it towed to a 2nd mechanic (same diagnosis) then was informed of SC147 after doing an internet search. I contacted Kia and opened a case #13204401 where I then had to have the car towed for the 3rd time to a Kia dealership (bob bell, baltimore, md) where they had to do their diagnostic test (technicians cell video to show the car will not start), per Kia, to come to the conclusion my car is not part of SC147 (according to my vein #). this safety recall is for 2.4L gdi engines and mine is a 2.4L DOHC. In addition to my complaint, I want to know where in the manufacturing process (what plant was my engine assembled?) if given they are the same engines but only a top covering difference (gdi vs DOHC), then how do I know for sure my engine should not have been part of major SC147 since my vehicle had been running with no issues and regular maintenance with 160,000 + miles?

- Edgewood, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard a loud noise and the vehicle shut off. The contact pulled the vehicle over as smoke appeared from under the hood. The vehicle could not be restarted and was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the engine seized. The manufacturer was contacted, provided a case number, and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a Kia dealer. Bob bell Kia of glen burnie (7900 eastern ave, baltimore, md 21224, (410) 766-3600) was contacted and stated that there were no recalls and the warranty was expired. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Edgewood, MD, USA

Engine is making a ticking noise due to manufacturing defect.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

Good afternoon. I wanted to bring to the attention and the severity of this issue. In the month of June 2018 my expecting wife in her 2012 Kia Forte was on her way home on the interstate when the car with no signs leading up to this decided to die unexpectedly on the side of the interstate. We had the car towed to a certified dealer to have diagnoses of what happened the conclusion was the engine's connecting rod bearings seized. Much like the Kia and Hyundai recall for the exact same failure for more than 1.5 million cars are impacted. I expressed how this could be due to car has 68,000 miles on it and all the maintenance was performed regularly. The wife purchased this car used from a well known dealer only a year ago and added 12,000 on the odometer. I contacted Kia customer service and was tossed around with no answers. After more than a month Kia Corp came to the conclusion that no help would be given on replacement of a engine. I expressed how dangerous this situation was when your vehicle's engine just seizes and how close my wife and unborn child was almost in a very bad accident. There was zero cares given. I spoke with a Kia representative after review from a manager and was told they would not give any assistance due to, and I quote " because you have not owned a prior Kia product and you are not considered a loyal customer and due to that conclusion that is the reason and conclusion for making the decision". I was to upset and expressed my frustration and still no resolution. The car is still inoperable till I exhaust all paths and make sure my experience does not happen to any others. This is a very dangerous issue and Kia does not want to own up to it. They are sweeping this issue under a rug till somebody really gets hurt or worst. I want kai to take ownership of this issue and make it right not just for me but others having this issue.

- Waterville, ME, USA

I was on my way home one afternoon driving on a 2 lane highway in a rural area a speed limit of 55mph, that's the posted speed. I didn't have anything going that would prevent from hearing the noise im about to hear!! it was like car was now carrying huge weight and very;little power. I tried to pull off the side and then cars oil light came on and then it stalled, I put it in neutral position attempting to start car, car did start but only to make a loud knocking from hood area, I popped hood and checked oil and other fluids, everything seemed fine with fluids but engine has a horrid knocking, car didn't want to stay at idle so I called for a tow, then taken to local auto repair, they called after their investigation stating the "camshaft timing was bad and by looking at different things they felt a new engine was only option as the bearing was now bad, informed me that upon looking for an engine it appeared a new engine around 6000 dollars was only one available. I called my auto ins comp to explain and see if I had enough coverage for the repair, to be told that they(ins com) wasn't liable for the engine I did call a few other repair places and was told same thing (3 total)so I again towed car to home and haven't attempted to drive. I spoke to dealership to be told my car wasn't in previous recall but stated they had a slew call and report engine failure and he voted the Forte be in the standing recall or place a recall for the Kia Forte and sudden engine failure.. zero trouble with the car and would like to get repaired so I can have transportation again. Bought new from dealership I love car but this problem needsa prompt and thorough investigation on my 2012 Kia Forte, ive been told it has exact same engine as the cars in the standing recalls, when my engine blowd and forced me off road was very scary and dangerous.

- Palmyra, IN, USA

Driving down an interstate around 75mph the engine started making an abnormal loud engine knocking noise so I pulled over to the median and the oil light came on, engine seized, and the car died and would not start. Car had oil. Towed 100+ miles to our local Kia dealership and they said #2 rod bearing "severely worn and causing the engine to make noise and stop rotating". they recommended a complete engine replacement at a cost of around $5700 (cost and labor). 2012 Kia Forte sx with 2.4L engine and 106, xxx miles (6,000 outside their 10year/100,000 mile warranty). Car had regular oil changes at the proper times. This is the same type of problem (worn rod bearings) Kia/Hyundai had with their other engines which required a recall to address the thousands of grievances. I would like these 2.4L Forte engines to also be included in a future recall because I believe these engines are either defective in their manufacturing process or just faulty by design. Had I not pulled over when I did there is a possibility the engine would have seized while I was driving interstate speed with the typical interstate traffic (semi trucks all over) with my wife and two small children on board. Kia refuses to acknowledge a problem and so far have offered no satisfaction. A modern car should last more than 7 years, unless it was designed wrong or damaged in the manufacturing process.

- Springfield, MO, USA

Takata recall. Alright I also have the same issue most people have. My engine start making horrible noise around 129000. One day, I stopped at red light literally my whole car was shaking. I thought every single person have same problem with this model.

- Mankato, MN, USA

2012 Kia Forte ex sedan 2.0 theta 2 engine piston slap caused damage to the pistons and the engine block. The vehicle had the problem when stationary and got progressively worse while in motion. Vehicle has not been repaired and not driven since due to research finding this is a much too common problem with Kia Forte owners

- Fort Drum, NY, USA

Mielg 105000 I cheng oil avery 3000 miles no engine noise tak tak tak I'm going too my mechanic told me need new engine that pig proplm it's a bad car and engine I'm navr usd Kia I'm told all friends and relatives don't buy Kia burn your money..thanks

- Augusta, ME, USA

When starting my vehicle in park, I put it in reverse, and it barely goes. It seems to lack power, or is being bogged down. It almost comes to a complete stop, and then it suddenly kicks in, and jerks you backwards very fast. It is scary because I could easily hit something or crash, because the car becomes almost out of control. You never know when it is going to kick back in either. I have taken it to the Kia dealer, but they said it did not do it for them of course. So I am stuck with a car that is having a lot of issues. I don't have the money to fix them right now. I am not working, and the dealership that sold me the car ripped me off. I have already put a lot of money into it. It seems to do it the worst when it rains for some reason.

- Paducah, KY, USA

Vehicle makes a loud ticking noise which seems to be the exact complaint of recall SC147. However, SC147 does not include the Forte. Vehicle has 104,000 miles and has had frequent oil changes conducted by a Kia dealer. All descriptions and videos online point to the rod bearing causing the ticking noise.

- Lowell, MA, USA

My engine has begun making a loud knocking sound and two mechanics have said the engine has a serious problem and needs to be replaced. The knocking started with normal use and regular oil changes. Started while idling and got louder with faster RPM

- Hopkins, MN, USA

This engine has always had loud valves. Dealer says nothing to worry about when we bought it in 2012. At 121,000 miles, the engine has suddenly developed a solid knocking from deep within the engine - much like the same conditions that resulted in the optima, sportage, and sorrento engines being recalled. Kia claims there is no issue with Forte engines yet they exhibit the same knocking that ends with catastrophic engine failure due to premature bearing wear. When cold, my 2.0L gas engine clatters more than a diesel truck. Is it possible they are resisting adding the Forte due to the sheer number of those vehicles sold? dealer wants $109 per hour for diagnostics with no cap on hours spent. On the Kia forum I follow, there are people who have waited 3 months for a replacement engine. I'm not looking forward to spending more for a replacement engine than the vehicle is worth. Up until now, this has been a great vehicle. Solid, reliable, one I would jump into and drive 1200 miles on a trip without hesitation. We averaged 38 mpg making trips from NY to fl and back. Now I'm scared to even move it in the driveway. It's just sad that Kia appears to have dropped the ball like this.

- Vestal, NY, USA

My engine started making ticking noises around 60,000 miles. I was told by more than one person that it was just noisy lifters, so I ignored it. Now, at just over 100,000 miles my new mechanic recommended I get it looked at. Kia told me my engine needs replaced and it will cost $6000. The car isn't even worth that much. I always kept up on my maintenance because the salesman when I bought the care told me that if I took care of it, I could expect 300,000+ miles out of it. What a lie. I'm going to continue driving the car in hopes that they do the right thing and expand their recall. Hopefully before I go up in flames.

- Kersey, PA, USA

My engine has begun making a loud knocking sound and two mechanics have said the engine has a serious problem and needs to be replaced. The knocking started with normal use and regular oil changes. Started while idling and got louder with faster RPM

- Naperville, IL, USA