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MODEL-YEAR RECALL REPORT

2012 Kia Forte Koup recalls

NHTSA's September 21, 2026 snapshot lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Kia Forte Koup, spanning 3 component groups. A model match does not confirm that a specific VIN is included.

Official source: NHTSA recall campaign file · Snapshot September 21, 2026

URGENT CAMPAIGN FLAG

NHTSA records include a Park Outside advisory for at least one campaign associated with 2012 Kia Forte Koup. Open the campaign and verify the VIN before operating or parking the vehicle.

Distinct campaigns4not VIN-specific
Component groups3distinct top-level categories
Latest recordSeptember 25, 2023report received
VIN resultNot checkeduse official lookup

01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS

2012 Kia Forte Koup recall campaigns

The 2012 Kia Forte Koup report contains 4 distinct NHTSA campaigns; the most recently received record is campaign 23V652000 dated September 25, 2023.
PARK OUTSIDE
Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Report received
September 25, 2023
Potential units
1,730,192campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

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

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

Owner notification: March 29, 2024 · Filing manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

Component
ENGINE
Report received
December 2, 2020
Potential units
294,756campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

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.

Why it matters: 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. 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.

Owner notification: January 25, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Component
AIR BAGS
Report received
June 1, 2018
Potential units
507,587campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

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.

Why it matters: 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 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.

Owner notification: September 28, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Kia Motors America

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 17V773000

Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Report received
December 1, 2017
Potential units
134,366campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

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

Why it matters: 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.

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.

Owner notification: January 30, 2018 · Filing manufacturer: Kia Motors America

02 / COMPONENT BREADTH

What defects are listed for the 2012 Kia Forte Koup?

The most frequent component groups in 2012 Kia Forte Koup campaign records are Service Brakes, Hydraulic (2), Air Bags (1), Engine (1); these counts describe filed campaigns rather than observed failure rates.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Air Bags1
Engine1

03 / MODEL-YEAR CONTEXT

How the 2012 Kia Forte Koup compares across model years

RecallRoad publishes 2 model-year reports for the Kia Forte Koup, spanning 2012–2013; each year keeps its NHTSA campaign count separate.
Open the complete Kia Forte Koup model history →