2012 Kia Forte Koup problems

“VEHICLE & INCIDENT DETAILS * Vehicle: 2012 Kia Forte Hatchback * VIN: KNAFU5A26C5641380 * Incident Date: August 21, 2026 * Relevant Recalls: NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 (Recall SC284) & NHTSA Campaign 20V750000 (Recall SC200) * Kia Corporate Case Number: 26367714 * Dealership: AllStar Kia San Bernardino, CA COMPLAINT DESCRIPTION I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding a severe vehicle fire incident involving a vehicle subject to active fire safety recalls, and subsequent corporate misconduct that threatens the integrity of the federal safety recall evidence. On August 21, 2026, my 2012 Kia Forte Hatchback suffered an engine compartment fire while parked. The fire originated in the center engine area, which directly aligns with the failure footprints outlined in federal fire safety recalls SC200 (20V-750) and SC284 (23V-652). I personally extinguished the fire, and the vehicle is a total loss. Following the incident, Kia America opened corporate product liability case #26367714, and the vehicle was towed to AllStar Kia San Bernardino for formal review. Kia America and its local dealership are now engaging in coercive tactics that actively obstruct a proper…”

“Airbag light came on August 21, 2026. I tried several steps to troubleshoot with no resolution. I took it to the local Kia dealership for further inspection. I was terrified to drive the vehicle because of the airbag failure. I explained to the technician that I had read that there was an warranty extension for the exact clock spring failure. I met the qualification (2011-2016 /unlimited mileage) but I was required to pay $493.05 for this repair.”

“Vehicle: 2012 Kia Forte Recall: NHTSA 23V-652 (Kia SC284) – HECU/ABS fuse recall My vehicle underwent this safety recall in 2025. The dealership replaced the HECU fuse. Immediately upon leaving the dealership after the recall repair, the same warning lights returned. I contacted the dealership immediately before fully leaving the area to report the issue. I also contacted Kia Corporate after the warning condition returned. Kia was aware the warning lights returned immediately after recall completion. I was advised if the vehicle later entered limp mode again, to contact Kia roadside assistance for towing support per prior guidance. The warning condition was not resolved by the recall repair. The brake warning light remained present, additional warning indicators later appeared, and the vehicle ultimately entered limp mode in January 2026, resulting in loss of reliable transportation and safety concerns. Due to this condition, I was forced to rely on a rental vehicle for an extended period at significant personal cost totaling several thousand dollars. I'm a single parent with a child requiring ongoing medical appointments, making reliable transportation…”

“My vehicle is a 2012 Kia Forte EX. The vehicle experienced a corrosion-related brake line failure that affected braking performance and created a safety concern. The brake pedal became soft/sank, and the vehicle had unsafe braking behavior, requiring repair at a Kia dealership. The failed component was a brake line, which is a safety-critical part of the braking system. The repair was completed at customer expense after Kia declined goodwill or reimbursement assistance. Kia Customer Care case number: 2622663. My concern is that this does not appear to be ordinary wear only. This vehicle had prior Kia underbody corrosion campaign history under SC141, titled “Application of Additional Anti-Corrosion Material.” Kia confirmed to me that SC141 involved applying additional anti-corrosion/undercoating/cavity wax material to certain underbody components to help protect against corrosion. Kia also confirmed that SC141 was completed on my vehicle before the brake-line repair. Kia’s position is that SC141 did not cover brake lines or brake replacement, and that brake-line corrosion is normal maintenance/customer-pay because the vehicle is out of warranty. I understand…”

“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse, the vehicle seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and it was stated that an unknown part was disconnected near the gear shift. The contact was unsure what part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the display screen had seized. The contact also replaced the rear brake lights after being notified that the brake lights were inoperable. The contact stated that the bulbs were replaced and immediately fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 119,000.”

“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed an abnormal sound for approximately five minutes, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact then became aware of a fire underneath the vehicle. The contact opened the hood and extinguished the fire using water and dirt. The vehicle was unoccupied. The contact stated that the vehicle had just been parked, and the engine was off prior to the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.”