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2012 Kia Forte consumer reviews

$15,200–$16,200 MSRP range
side view of 2012 Forte Kia
(63 reviews)
85% of drivers recommend this car
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.3
  • Interior 4.3
  • Performance 4.3
  • Value 4.4
  • Exterior 4.4
  • Reliability 4.4
Explore the 2012 Kia Forte
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I like my car but to many issues when nothing are

My 2012 kia forte to many problems with the brake light stay stuck and cause my car to slow down I don’t like this is very dangerous for me to drive any where

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 2.0
  • Performance 1.0
  • Value 1.0
  • Exterior 1.0
  • Reliability 2.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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ALL KIA AND HYUNDAI =GARBAGE!!!

Engine is shot. Has less than 115000 miles. Knocked since bought had all the symptoms of the recalled engines. 2012 forte 3.5 years of payments left on loan KIA =JUNK.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 1.0
  • Interior 1.0
  • Performance 1.0
  • Value 1.0
  • Exterior 1.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
3 people out of 7 found this review helpful. Did you?
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2012 Kia Forte EX 2. the absolute best car in the

So I got 2012 Kia Forte EX, 2.0L, for an amazing price! How much and why, you ask? High mileage and cracked windshield, and wasn't cleaned up by the dealership yet. I just happened to see it right after the dealership took it. The window doesn't affect my sight. The high miles are because it was used for a work car. Where I live you travel an hour 1 way for most people. Didn't care about the miles. It was taken care of properly and I have been to. The only thing that drives me crazy if the timing click.i looked up how to fix it. It's a free fix. I've had to learn how to work on my own car since I don't have my husband here. Y'all I'm a 44 year old woman with DISABILITIES! I can work on this car without being totally confused and lost. I've learned to do my own brakes, which takes me longer to get the dang tire off than replacing the brackets and brake pads. I've learned to do a few other things too. I'm learning how to change my alternator this weekend. With a mechanic by my side telling me what to do every step of the way. I now have 250k miles on Batman, my kid's named the car, and I know he'll run another 250k as long as I keep up.on regular maintenance. You know oil changes, tune ups, and getting to know your car's every feel and sound. knowing if my car sounds funny or not acting right is important to me since I'm not able to run out and buy a new car or afford a shop to take it too. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE my Kia Forte EX. I can truly and honestly say the ONLY thing I hate on Batman is that he has a sealed system, meaning you can't check nor add transmission fluid. You can but you gotta be smart enough and brave enough to figure it out. It's possible for a non-mechanic to do this but I highly do not recommend you try it of you don't know what your doing. Overall this has been an amazing car and I'm never getting rid of it. It's amazing on gas, 28 miles per gallon still, in town! I'm moving 1500 miles away in another 5 weeks and I'm excited to see what kind of mileage I'll get. I recommend this car for someone getting their 1st car, or wants 1 to travel for work, a small family car, or just plain wants a cute car. I've always been a big Dodge and Ford fan, Kia's are now on my list of favorite vehicles. I'll definitely be crying when I give this car to my son in 2 more years when he starts driving.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
5 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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This is a horrible car ,nothing but problems since

This is a horrible car ,nothing but problems since I got it not even a year ago . Car is currently not working AGAIN! Im MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT I don't feel SAFE ,im scared to drive on the freeway because the car just turns off ,#horrible #scary #regret #disappointed

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 1.0
  • Interior 1.0
  • Performance 1.0
  • Value 1.0
  • Exterior 1.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does not recommend this car
1 person out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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This was a workhorse.

I purchased this car like new with just over 1000 miles on the odometer. I owned it long enough to put over 200000 miles on it and overall it was a great vehicle. At about a 170000 miles, it started showing its age and I ran into a few minor problems as I approached the 200000 mile mark. I believe that with a little TLC, these cars can last up to 300,000 miles. It is a Kia, so the fit and finish is not 100%, and also they do not like to be neglected on maintenance. Other than that it was a great vehicle and if you need a little car and you're on a budget then look no further.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
8 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
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needed a new motor. was changed free of charged.

Once it was done it ran great now gas have to ask motor has to be replace. Is this under recall. Have to call dealership to find out.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 3.0
  • Value 3.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 3.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Stout little car

I own the 2.0l EX model. Everything is excellent on the car except for 2 subjective gripes; I do a lot of highway driving and the road/wind noise is pretty loud. The other would be that the stock suspension is pretty rough around town. It doesn’t really “absorb” the hits from bumps/potholes. Aside from that, excellent reliability, great mpg, tons of space both for passengers and storage, and AMAZING sound system.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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ticking time bomb

all fingers point to engine ticking after 80,00 miles, due to timing and oil chains, kia needs to stand behind the problem and fix it.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 3.0
  • Performance 3.0
  • Value 2.0
  • Exterior 3.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Sporty, roomy and reliable!

I found my Kia Forte after about six months of searching all sorts of models and makes. It met all my needs. It is incredibly safe as it is so easy to see 360 degrees around the car. The cargo space in this little car cannot be beat!! I previously owned a mini van and am used to lots of room. My husband and I took a two week road trip in this and our luggage included a spinning wheel, small loom, guitar, set of golf clubs, all our cloths for two weeks and we actually had room to purchase a chair to bring home AND we could still safely see out the back window. This little car really packs a lot! The bluetooth function is great for voice command calls while driving. No navigation of call options is required, a simple touch of one button from the steering wheel with the voice command of a name to call, and you are in touch. In the 6 years I have owned the car I have replaced the tires twice, the oil regularly, the battery and the recently the brakes. That is the total of all maintenance the car has required. It doesn't get the quoted mileage, but is decent on gas. Overall it has been an incredibly dependable car that was reasonably priced and I am proud to drive.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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Extremely Reliable car

This car is extremely reliable! I have had no major issues with this car. This car has been on many road trips and has not failed me. You can say, I drive this car every weekend from Georgia to Louisiana then to Florida on occasion and never had any issues. Only reason I have to let it go because I have three small children!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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