According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2012 Kia Morning has 6 documented known issues, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is Fuel and Leveling Hose Cracking — Fuel Leak and Fire Risk (Official Korean Recall) ($0-$0 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $100 to $700. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 2011-2013 Kia Morning, in April 2018, Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) recalled 190,562 Kia Morning (TA) and Ray (TAM) vehicles because the fuel hose and fuel-tank leveling hose were made from a defective material that cracks over time. Cracked hoses allow fuel (gasoline or LPG vapor on Bi-Fuel models) to leak, creating a fire hazard. The recall population corresponds to early TA-generation production; affected VINs can be checked on Korea's official recall portal (car.go.kr). This recall applies to the Korea-market Morning; the related Picanto sold in other markets had separate campaigns.
Common Symptoms
Gasoline smell inside or around the car
Fuel stains or wet spots under the rear of the vehicle
Visible cracking on fuel hoses
Dropping fuel level without corresponding mileage
Fuel-vapor smell when refueling (Bi-Fuel/LPI cars)
How to Fix
Covered free of charge under the official recall: Kia service centers inspect the fuel and leveling hoses and replace them with hoses made of corrected material. Owners who paid for this repair before the recall announcement could claim reimbursement from Kia. Check recall applicability by VIN at car.go.kr; if a fuel smell or visible leak is present, stop driving and have the car towed to a service center.
On the 2011-2012 Kia Morning, south Korea's Ministry of Environment states that Kia recalled Morning 1.0 gasoline and Morning 1.0 Bi-Fuel vehicles produced from January 17, 2011 through July 16, 2012 because the plastic needle in the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve could wear. The worn valve can allow engine oil into the intake manifold, where it burns with fuel and can produce white exhaust smoke and increased particulate emissions. The cited total of 196,950 vehicles covers four Morning and Ray variants together, not Morning alone.
Common Symptoms
White exhaust smoke
How to Fix
Confirm campaign completion with a Kia service center. The government notice says Kia service centers and partners inspect and replace the PCV valve free of charge, changing the needle material from plastic to steel. This is a Korean-market campaign repair with vehicle-specific applicability, so no retail PCV valve is linked from this page.
On the 2011-2015 Kia Morning, early TA Morning vehicles built between January 15, 2011 and March 28, 2012 suffer intermittent hard starting after a long cold soak (typically winter mornings): the engine cranks, almost catches, then dies or refuses to start. Kia identified the cause as excessive fuel-injection quantity at cold start producing unstable combustion, and issued a free-repair campaign (무상수리) consisting of an ECU software upgrade. Korean owner forums also document residual cold-start delay on later TA cars (e.g., 2015 models) that was ultimately resolved by replacing the fuel pump assembly when the ECU update alone did not cure it.
Long cranking on cold mornings after overnight parking
Engine almost starts then dies, needs several attempts
Problem appears mainly in winter or after long cold soak
Rough running for the first seconds after a cold start
Starts normally once the engine is warm
How to Fix
Have a Kia service center apply the cold-start ECU calibration update (free under the campaign for cars built Jan 2011-Mar 2012). If delayed cold starts persist after the update, test fuel-rail pressure hold-down; a leaking check valve in the in-tank fuel pump assembly is the documented follow-up fix. Rule out a weak battery first in sub-zero weather.
On the 2011-2015 Kia Morning, a widely reported chronic problem on the TA Morning: the crankshaft rear oil seal (크랭크 리데나/리테이너) loses tension or walks out of position, letting engine oil leak at the junction between the engine and transmission. Korean repair shops document this as a recurring Morning failure, and owner communities report that Kia quietly issued a one-time free-repair directive to its Auto Q service network for this leak, though application was inconsistent between service centers. Because the seal sits behind the transmission, the gearbox must be removed to replace a cheap part, making the repair disproportionately expensive — roughly 300,000-350,000 KRW out of pocket. On manual cars, leaking oil can contaminate the clutch and cause slip.
Common Symptoms
Oil drips or wetness where engine meets transmission
Oil spots under the middle of the car
Engine oil level slowly dropping
Burning oil smell after driving
Clutch slip or shudder on manual cars (oil-contaminated clutch)
How to Fix
Replace the crankshaft rear oil seal/retainer; transmission removal is required, so combine with clutch service on manual cars if the clutch is oil-contaminated. Ask a Kia Auto Q service center whether the one-time free repair (무상수리) for the crank retainer leak applies to the vehicle before paying out of pocket — coverage reports vary by center.
On the 2011-2013 Kia Morning, 2011 to late-2012 production Morning (TA) and Ray cars with the early 1.0 Kappa engine are notorious in Korea for a chirping/squealing 'cricket noise' (귀뚜라미 소리) from the accessory belt, worst on cold mornings and when the A/C compressor engages. The root cause is the solid (fixed) alternator pulley, which cannot absorb rapid crankshaft speed fluctuations of the 3-cylinder engine, so the belt repeatedly slips. Kia revised production from the 2013 model year, fitting an OAP (overrunning alternator pulley) and changing the belt from 5 to 6 ribs; replacing the solid pulley with the OAP type is the accepted permanent fix. Simply replacing the belt does not cure it — the noise returns.
Common Symptoms
Chirping/squealing 'cricket' noise at cold start
Noise appears when the A/C is switched on
Worse in winter or damp weather
Noise returns soon after a new belt is fitted
Noise varies with engine RPM
How to Fix
Replace the solid alternator pulley with the revised OAP (overrunning alternator pulley) and fit the updated 6-rib drive belt per the 2013 production change. Belt dressing or belt replacement alone gives only temporary relief. Parts plus labor typically run 150,000-300,000 KRW at independent shops in Korea.
On the 2011-2018 Kia Morning, manual-gearbox Morning/Picanto cars show two related, well-documented clutch complaints. First, cold/damp-morning clutch judder: a pronounced shudder when pulling away in 1st or 2nd gear that fades after a few miles, attributed to condensation on the friction surfaces and addressed by revised clutch part numbers — repeatedly discussed across Kia Owners Club threads for the Picanto (the Morning's twin, same platform and drivetrain family). Second, Korean owner communities document low durability of the clutch and flywheel on the TA Morning: habitual half-clutch driving can glaze or burn the friction plate in remarkably low mileage, and uneven flywheel wear then perpetuates judder even after a new clutch. Korea-market evidence is the Morning TA; the judder threads are from the EU-market Picanto with shared running gear.
Common Symptoms
Shudder/vibration when pulling away, worst on cold or damp mornings
Judder fades after a few minutes of driving
Clutch slip — revs rise without acceleration
Burning smell after hill starts or stop-and-go traffic
High or inconsistent clutch bite point at low mileage
How to Fix
For persistent judder, replace the clutch kit (disc, pressure plate, release bearing) with the latest revised parts and resurface or replace the flywheel — fitting a new clutch against a worn flywheel commonly brings the judder back. Under warranty, dealers handled judder cases with updated clutch components. Adjust driving habits to minimize riding the clutch; on cars that only judder damp-cold and clear within a mile, monitor before paying for repairs.
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2012 Kia Morning has 6 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Fuel and Leveling Hose Cracking — Fuel Leak and Fire Risk (Official Korean Recall), PCV Valve Plastic Needle Wear — Oil Ingestion and White Exhaust Smoke (Government-Ordered Recall), Cold-Start Delay or No-Start After Overnight Parking (Excessive Cold-Start Fuel Injection — ECU Service Campaign). Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Kia Morning reliable?
The 2012 Kia Morning has 6 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 1 issue is rated critical: Fuel and Leveling Hose Cracking — Fuel Leak and Fire Risk (Official Korean Recall). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Kia Morning problems?
Repair costs for known Kia Morning issues range from $0 to $700, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Fuel and Leveling Hose Cracking — Fuel Leak and Fire Risk (Official Korean Recall), typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2011-2013 Kia Morning Fuel and Leveling Hose Cracking — Fuel Leak and Fire Risk (Official Korean Recall)?
In April 2018, Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) recalled 190,562 Kia Morning (TA) and Ray (TAM) vehicles because the fuel hose and fuel-tank leveling hose were made from a defective material that cracks over time. Cracked hoses allow fuel (gasoline o… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2011-2012 Kia Morning PCV Valve Plastic Needle Wear — Oil Ingestion and White Exhaust Smoke (Government-Ordered Recall)?
South Korea's Ministry of Environment states that Kia recalled Morning 1.0 gasoline and Morning 1.0 Bi-Fuel vehicles produced from January 17, 2011 through July 16, 2012 because the plastic needle in the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve could wear. The worn valve can al… Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2015 Kia Morning Cold-Start Delay or No-Start After Overnight Parking (Excessive Cold-Start Fuel Injection — ECU Service Campaign)?
Early TA Morning vehicles built between January 15, 2011 and March 28, 2012 suffer intermittent hard starting after a long cold soak (typically winter mornings): the engine cranks, almost catches, then dies or refuses to start. Kia identified the cause as excessive fuel-injection… Repairs typically run $0-$350. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2015 Kia Morning Crankshaft Rear Main Seal (Retainer) Oil Leak Between Engine and Transmission?
A widely reported chronic problem on the TA Morning: the crankshaft rear oil seal (크랭크 리데나/리테이너) loses tension or walks out of position, letting engine oil leak at the junction between the engine and transmission. Korean repair shops document this as a recurring Morning failure,… Repairs typically run $200-$300. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2018 Kia Morning Manual Transmission Clutch Judder and Rapid Clutch/Flywheel Wear?
Manual-gearbox Morning/Picanto cars show two related, well-documented clutch complaints. First, cold/damp-morning clutch judder: a pronounced shudder when pulling away in 1st or 2nd gear that fades after a few miles, attributed to condensation on the friction surfaces and address… Repairs typically run $350-$700. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2013 Kia Morning Drive-Belt 'Cricket' Squeal from Solid Alternator Pulley (Early Kappa 1.0)?
2011 to late-2012 production Morning (TA) and Ray cars with the early 1.0 Kappa engine are notorious in Korea for a chirping/squealing 'cricket noise' (귀뚜라미 소리) from the accessory belt, worst on cold mornings and when the A/C compressor engages. The root cause is the solid (fixed… Repairs typically run $100-$250. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
