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: other or unspecified
13 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2025
As I’m reading it states that my knock sensor detection system and HECU FUSE NEEDS REPLACEMENT.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Feb 26, 2025
Issue with having to replace brake and taillights too often
Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2024, fire
On [XXX] , my 2013 Kia Forte SX Koup caught fire while I was driving on the tollway. Kia failed to notify me that I was sold a Lemon Car, leading to this life-threatening incident. The steering wheel and gas pedal became unresponsive, and my brakes stiffened, making it extremely difficult to stop. I feared for my life and safety as I struggled to pull over. After parking, I smelled fumes and saw fire under the hood. I called 911, and emergency services arrived to extinguish the fire. As a result, I now have respiratory issues from inhaling fumes, migraines from hitting my head, and a pulled muscle from forcing the locked steering. I have been unable to seek medical care due to the financial burden of renting a car, which has cost me $1,083.74 so far, using funds intended for rent. I contacted Kia on October 9th, 2024, but they delayed their response until October 15th. Since then, they have continuously prolonged the process, now saying it will take over a month and a half. Kia also failed to notify me of a recall related to this issue, which I later discovered on my own. I am requesting immediate action from Kia, including reimbursement for my rental, vehicle replacement, and compensation for medical expenses. Kia's delays and lack of concern for my safety and well-being are unacceptable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2024
There's a very dangerous fire hazard warning recall for my vehicle and no remedy offered. It's been 6 months since the recall announcement. I do not want to be driving around a match waiting to be sparked. It's a danger to me and the public. I request a remedy as getting a I still currently owe around $7,000 on this vehicle. I feel like everyday I'm driving I'm taking a risk considering an "engine compartment fire could take place while parked or driving."
Steering, Other or unspecified, Sep 5, 2023
As a loyal customer one of my KIA was stolen and the officer said to contact KiA so the cars can get the update on anti- theft software and a safety car lock to prevent this from happening again. Spoke with [XXX] and gave me this # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 3, 2022
We have not been able to get this vehicle to pass emissions, ive taken it to multiple kia locations and no one has been able to help. The engine light has been on and theyve changed the sensor as thats what repair shop suggested it may be, but still nothing. Then just out of the blue its stopped working. I took it to a smaller shop as i no longer trusted the kia dealership and the guy told me it was a recall as this is not an old car and it needed engine work. I contacted kia and they said yes there was an important sfety recall that we should of received a letter, suggested to call 18003334542 for a tow, but i have spoken to 6 people who i cant understand and have been able to get a tow to a kia dealership
Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2021
When I’m driving down the road it’s starts losing power and the icon of car with dizzy lines starts flashing but if the car gains any speed the icon goes out .And like today when I tried to push brake to stop and pull over it started shaking so bad I felt like the whole front in was going to fall out ,The last time I had smoke come out when I tried to give it a little gas to move.
Other or unspecified, May 10, 2021, crash
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT, PUSHED ON MY BRAKE THE CAR KEPT MOVING AND I HAD NO WARNING, MY CAR IS NOW TOTALED
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2021, fire
MY KIA WENT ON FIRE AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY KIA, I FOUND OUT FROM CARFAX AND SET UP APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS RECALL FIXED AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS 2 RECALLS. SET UP THE APPT FOR SATURDAY, WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF I RAN INTO THE STORE CAME OUT AND MY CAR WAS ON FIRE ALL OF THE DASHBOARD ALL BEHIND IT. MY CAR WAS TOTALED BY INSURANCE. 2 DAYS AFTER MY CAR GOES ON FIRE I AM SUDDENLY GETTING RED EMERGENCY RECALL NOTICES IN THE MAIL. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT SPEAK WITH ME, THE KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER BUT HAS DONE NOTHING IN OVER 2 WEEKS. I STILL HAD MY 10YR WARRANTEE AND KIA SAID I WOULD SETTLE WITH YOUR INSURANCE YOU WILL GET MORE MONEY FROM THEM. THEY DO NOT RETURN CALLS OR EMAILS AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSABILITY AT ALL.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2021, fire
I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM CARFAX NOTIFYING ME OF A RECALL FOR MY CAR PERTAINING TO A POSSIBLE FIRE, I CALLED DEALERSHIP TO SET UP APPOINTMENT AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS 2 RECALLS FOR MY CAR BUT NEVER ONCE RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM KIA. MY APPOINTMENT WAS FOR THE COMING SATURDAY BUT ON WEDNESDAY AFTER I PARKED AND RAN INTO THE GROCERY STORE FOR LESS THAN 15MINS I CAME OUT TO A GENTLEMAN WHO ASKED IF THIS WAS MY CAR, WHEN I LOOKED AT IT I WAS CONFUSED BECAUSE ALL THE WINDOWS WERE BLACK AND SMOKE WAS COMING I BELIEVE FROM EITHER THE HOOD OR WINDOW, HE SAID YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE. BEFORE I KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING THERE WERE FIRE TRUCKS AND POLICE. MY ENTIRE INSIDE OF MY CAR BEHIND THE DASHBOARD AND ALL ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE BURNED THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD STEERING WHEEL RADIO EVERYTHING. MY CAR WAS DESTROYED, I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY RIGHT AWAY AS THE POLICE ADVISED ME TOO AND LATER ON A FRIEND GAVE ME THE NUMBER TO THE KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE WHERE I NOTIFIED THEM.
Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2019
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE ENGINE MADE LOUD NOISE SHUT DOWN WHEN OIL PAN WAS DROPPED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED THE ENGINE BLEW A ROD DESTROYING THE ENGINE CAR WAS FINANCED STILL OWE $10,000 CAR ENGINE DESTROYED KIA IS RECALLING ALL 2.0 ENGINES DUE TO THIS DEFECT EXCEPT THE FORTE SO I PAY A PAYMENT MONTHLY CARRY FULL COVERAGE FOR A CAR THAT DOESN'T RUN ONLY RESPONSE FROM KIA IS IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY!!!
Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2018
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 2012 BRAND NEW WITH ABOUT 2 MILES ON IT. EVERYTHING WAS GOING SMOOTH UNTIL I WOULD GET DOWN TO A AVERAGE SPEED AROUND 10 MILES AN HOUR. I WAS GETTING ON A RAMP, AND WHEN I WAS GETTING OVER I HAD TO GUN IT BECAUSE A CAR WAS COMING AND A HUGE JOLT HIT SO HARD IT FELT LIKE A CAR JUST REAR ENDED ME. I WAS SO SCARED THINKING A CAR HIT ME WHERE I LET OFF THE GAS AND THE CAR THAT WAS COMING SWERVED TO MISS ME. SO I TAKE IT TO KIA AND THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR SHIFTING GEARS. SO I WENT ON WITH MY LIFE. SO ALL OF A SUDDEN IT DOES IT AGAIN. THIS TIME IT JOLTED SO HARD WHERE THE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP AND I ALMOST HIT THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WALL. SO AFTER THAT I REPEATEDLY TOLD KIA I'M GOING TO GET HURT IF THIS DONT GET FIXED AND THEY SAY THE SAME THING THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IS SHOWING NOTHING IS WRONG. SO I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE AND THEY SAID IT COULD NEED A SOFTWARE UPDATE BECAUSE THE GEARS ARE NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY. I'VE TALKED TO KIA OVER AND OVER AND NOTING HAS HAPPENED. I STILL HAVE MY WARRANTY 100,000 MILES OR 10 YEARS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 75K MILES ON IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS SITUATION. NOW ITS SO BAD I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. ITS GETTING SO BAD THAT WHEN IM DOING 65 AND HAVE TO COME TO A SLOW STOP OR WHAT THAT THE CAR SHAKES SO BAD YOU CAN FEEL THE GEARS SHIFTING. ITS DANGEROUS AND KIA IS DOING NOTHING
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.