2013 Kia Forte
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 195 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 16 Forte model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 16 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 17 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
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.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineDec 2, 2020
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.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 20V750000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleJun 1, 2018
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 18V363000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, pedals and linkagesDec 1, 2017
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 17V773000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, retractorMay 17, 2016
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2013 Forte vehicles manufactured September 10, 2012, to October 31, 2012. The screws that hold the front seatbelt retractor retaining plates may not have been properly tightened, and as a result, the seatbelt retractor retaining plates may break in a crash.
If a retaining plate breaks during a crash, pieces of the plate could strike the occupants, increasing risk of injury.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace both front seatbelt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. The recall began July 1, 2016. Kia's number for this recall is SC132.
Campaign 16V312000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
110 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Apr 10, 2017
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I WAS DRIVING TO THE FORTE AND THE CAR IDLED DOWN AND STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AND SHUT OFF. THE NEXT DAY I WAS DRIVING HOME AND I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE HOOD, THE CAR BEGAN IDLED DOWN THEN SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC SHOP, THERE WERE NO OIL GOING THROUGH THE LINES. MANY MONTHS BEFORE THAT I WAS OUT WITH THE FORTE AND IT WOULD NOT START, THAT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, I GOT THE OIL CHANGED AND I WAS TOLD NO OIL WAS GETTING THROUGH THE LINE. RECENTLY, THIS MONTH I WAS DRIVING THE FORTE TO WORK AND THE CAR BEGAN TO JUMP AND IDLING DOWN THE ENGINE WAS TREMBLING AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED.
Engine, Aug 19, 2016
THIS IS IN ADDITION TO A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. I FORGOT TO ADD IMPORTANT INFORMATION. I WAS TOLD BY KIA THAT MY ENGINE ISSUE IS A "BLOWN ROD" INSIDE THE ENGINE. KIA HAS SEVERAL OTHER MODELS THAT HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN LITIGATION. I FEEL AS THOUGH I'VE "MISSED THE BOAT" ON THIS ISSUE.
Engine, Aug 19, 2016
WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 50 MPH WHEN AN UNKNOWN NOISE BEGAN COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I WAS ABOUT 3 MILES FROM HOME, BY THE TIME I GOT HOME THE NOISE WAS MUCH LOUDER. I SHUT IT OFF AND IMMEDIATELY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY CLOSEST KIA DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY 2,200 MILES UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY (ORIGINAL OWNER). THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME ABOUT 2 HOURS LATER AND TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A "CATASTROPHIC FAILURE" (LATER I LEARNED A ROD HAD GONE BAD) AND MY WARRANTY WAS VOIDED DUE TO "OIL SLUDGE" IN THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TALKING ABOUT SELLING ME A NEW CAR, WHICH I DECLINED. I ALSO DECLINED ANY MAINTENANCE TO BE PERFORMED. I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A PRIVATE CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO SENT A CAMERA INSIDE THE ENGINE AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO "SLUDGE" TO BE FOUND. THE MECHANIC ALSO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO WAY FOR KIA TO KNOW THIS SINCE HE COULD TELL THAT NEITHER THE VALVE COVER, NOR ANY OTHER ENGINE PART, HAD BEEN REMOVED TO FACILITATE SUCH INSPECTION. NOW I AM FACED WITH $3,700 IN ENGINE REPLACEMENT COSTS SINCE KIA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. KIA SEEMS TO HAVE SOMEHOW DETERMINED ENGINE "SLUDGE" WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING INSIDE THE ENGINE. I HAVE A FEW EXTERNAL PHOTOS AS PROOF THAT THE ENGINE HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED BY KIA BUT I AM UNABLE TO UPLOAD THEM HERE.
Power train, Engine, Apr 5, 2016
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF MY 2013 KIA FORTE EX, THE VEHICLE ROUGHLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED VIA OIL CHANGES, FILTERS, ETC ON TIME WITH QUALITY NAME BRAND FULLY SYNTHETIC OIL AND FILTERS PER THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WHICH IS EVERY 7500 MILES. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE HOME ON A VERY BUSY FREEWAY ON THE EAST COAST. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE OF 5 LANES ON THE SOUTH BOUND SIDE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WAS SLOWING DOWN AT AN UNSAFE RATE OF SPEED BECAUSE I HAD NO POWER AND DID NOT WANT TO TOUCH THE BRAKES OBVIOUSLY. I PANICKED BUT WAS ABLE TO PUT MY RIGHT SIGNAL ON TO TRY AND GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY I CONTINUED TO PANIC BECAUSE MY CAR WAS STEADY SLOWING AND EVENTUALLY WOULD COME TO A STOP BECAUSE I HAD NO POWER, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND I KNEW THE CAR SHUT DOWN BECAUSE ALL THE LIGHTS WERE ON ON THE DASH AS IF YOU WERE STARTING THE CAR. THANKFULLY SOMEONE WAS WATCHING OVER ME THAT DAY AND I MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE THE CAR ROLLED TO A COMPLETE STOP. IF I WERE UNABLE TO SAFELY MOVE OVER TWO LANES AND MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER ON MOMENTUM I WOULD HAVE BEEN STOPPED IN A LANE OF TRAVEL ON A BUSY FREEWAY AND WHAT WOULD I HAVE DONE? I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CAUSED AND BEEN PART OF A MAJOR ACCIDENT, EVEN THOUGH I DID MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER I WAS STILL PANICKING BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY BUSY FREEWAY AND I FELT HELPLESS. THE CAR WOULD NOT START IT WOULD MAKE A FUNKY NOISE AND THAT'S IT BUT WOULD NEVER START SO I WAS STRANDED. I LOOKED IN MY OWNERS MANUAL AND CALLED KIA, THE DEALERSHIP WAS 10 MINUTES FROM MY LOCATION. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A TOW TRUCK AND I WAS ON MY OWN. I HAD THE CAR TOWED THERE AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE BLEW UP AND IT WAS THE BOTTOM END. I BELIEVE IT WAS IN THE TIMING SYSTEM AND KIA IS LYING.
Service brakes, Engine, Sep 26, 2015
WHEN DRIVING 55 - 80 MILES PER HOUR, ESPECIALLY RIGHT AT 70, THE CAR SHAKES, AND THE ENGINE KNOCKS. IT FEELS LIKE A VIBRATION, AND THE WHEEL SHAKES UNDER YOUR HANDS WITH A RHYTHMIC KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR ALSO HAS ISSUES WITH THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE WHEN IT IS CHILLY OR WET. THE BRAKE STICKS AND WILL NOT COME UP, GRINDING AND CAUSING THE CAR TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THE PEDAL SINKS IN AND WILL NOT COME BACK UP. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND BEEN TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. BOTH ISSUES ARE STILL GOING ON, AND WORSENING AS I DRIVE IT. PRETTY SURE BEING PUSHED PAST MY WARRANTY. TAKING TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR SECOND OPINION, WORRIED IN MEAN TIME THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BASED ON OTHER SIMILAR REPORTS. I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM DEALERSHIP, AND WAS ABLE TO VERIFY IT HAD ONE OWNER. AT TIME OF PURCHASE THE CAR DROVE FINE, BUT WITHIN DAYS BOTH ISSUES HAD BEGUN. I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER FOR SERVICE.
Engine, Sep 25, 2015
THE OIL ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE THE CAR WAS AT IDLE. TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND IT FAILED TO RESTART. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES OF THEM TRYING AT STARTING THE CAR, THE CAR STARTED UP ONLY TO SHUT OFF. THEN THEY CHECKED IT OUT AGAIN TO FIND THAT THE ENGINE HAD LOCK UP. NOW I AM BEING ASKED TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE OR GET A NEW CAR.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 2, 2015
CAR MAKES LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING DOWN FWY SOUNDS LIKE ENGINE IS GOING TO DROP OUT FROM UNDERNEATH IT - SHAKES AND VIBRATES AND ACTS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STOP ANY MOMENT. BRAKES WILL NOT DISENGAGE, THEREBY MAKING THE GAS PEDAL UNABLE TO ENGAGE. CAR LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING WHEN BRAKE DOESN'T DISENGAGE BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL DOESN'T ENGAGE. BRAKES SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER. CAR RIDES LIKE ALL 4 TIRES ARE FLAT - CAR SHAKES AND VIBRATES AS WELL. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES - MORE THAN 10 - TOOK TO DEALER - THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE - I HAD THE BRAKE SYSTEM LINE FLUSHED AND BLED AND THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT WHAT WAS IN THE BRAKE LINE WAS NOT BRAKE FLUID - WRITTEN RIGHT ON THE INVOICE. KIA IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR CARS AND SCREWING PEOPLE - ESPECIALLY WOMEN. SERVICE MANAGERS WOULD JUST SMIRK AND LAUGH WHEN I TOOK IT IN WITH THE COMPLAINTS - LIKE I WAS AN IDIOT.
Engine, Sep 4, 2014
I PURCHASED THE CAR DECEMBER 2012; 2013 KIA FORTE EX. ABOUT A 9 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, I WAS DRIVING AND THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOSE IN THE ENGINE AND ABOUT A HOUR LATER THE CAR STALLED ON ME IN DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO, CA. I GOT THE CAR TOWED TO SACRAMENTO KIA (2820 FULTON AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95821). AFTER THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THEY SAID WHEN THE CAR WAS BUILT A FEW PARTS IN THE ENGINE WERE PUT IN INCORRECTLY WHICH CAUSED MY ENGINE TO BASICALLY OVER HEAT AND START TO FALL APART. SO THEY SAID THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. AUGUST 17 2014 AWHILE AFTER THE NEW ENGINE WAS PUT IN MY CAR, THE CAR STALLED ON ME AGAIN WITH THE SAME KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AT THE TIME I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 60MPH. AFTER THE CAR STALLED ON ME I COULD NOT GO ABOVE 30MPH NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY HOME ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON GOING 30MPH. WHEN I GOT HOME I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO SACRAMENTO KIA (2820 FULTON AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95821). IT TOOK THEM A FEW DAYS TO A WEEK FOR THEM TO CALL ME AND LET ME KNOW THE CAR WAS THERE. I CALLED TWICE EVERYDAY AND NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK WHEN THEY SAID THEY WERE BUSY. I DID NOT RECEIVE A PHONE CALL UNTIL THEY CALLED ME THE THIRD WEEK AND SAID THEY ARE ORDERING PARTS FOR THE CAR. I DID NOT AUTHORIZE ANYONE TO ORDER PARTS FOR THE CAR BECAUSE I DID NOT FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. TWO DAYS AGO SEPTEMBER 2 2014 WAS THE DATE I FOUND OUT THAT I NEEDED A WHOLE NEW ENGINE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO. SO THIS WOULD BE THE THIRD ENGINE FOR MY BRAND NEW 2013 KIA FORTE EX I PURCHASED A YEAR AGO. *TR
Steering, Structure, Wheels, Engine, Jul 10, 2013
KIA FORTE 2013 PURCHASED NEW AND HAD PROBLEMS WITH CAR WHEN DRIVING 55-70 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE CAR SHAKES,TIRES MAKE NOISES LIKE THEY'RE FLAT,TROUBLE WITH STEERING,REALLY ROUGH RIDE,SMOKE CAME FROM ENGINE AND THE CAR HAS BEEN A PAIN CONSIDERING IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE NEW. IT ALSO LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS AND SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T SEE OUT REAR WINDOW. ALL THESE THINGS AND MORE WERE REPORTED TO KIA MOTORS WHO SENT ME TO DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SCOFFED AT THE REFERRAL,STATED KIA MOTORS KNOWS ABOUT PROBLEMS AND ALLEGEDLY CHECKED FORTE REPORTING NOTHING CAN BE DONE AND NOTHING IS WRONG. THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS AND IS A TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY PLUS FEELS UNSAFE. THERE SHOULD BE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY WITH KIA SOMEWHERE BUT THERE ISN'T...GUESS THAT'S THE BUSINESS CUSHION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 2, 2013
2013 KIA FORTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MAJOR ENGINE DEFECTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THREE WEEKS AFTER HER DAUGHTER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. SMOKE AND A VERY STRONG BURNING ODOR EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE RADIATOR WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY. SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL, WHICH REQUIRED ADDING OIL TO KEEP IT AT FULL LEVEL. THE TAIL PIPE WAS DARK BLACK AND HEAVILY SOILED, WHICH INDICATED THE VEHICLE STILL HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM. ONE MONTH LATER, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED DELAYED ACCELERATION