VehicleVerdict

2013 Kia Forte problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2013 Kia Forte carries two red flags at once: 272 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Forte years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 27 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 40% of all reports (110 of 272), far ahead of brakes at 38. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

272

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

5

Investigations · 1 open

26

Crash-involved

23

Fires reported

27

Injuries

3

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Forte years?

Forte NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted639 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 317 complaints2011: 213 complaints2012: 403 complaints2013: 272 complaints2014: 639 complaints2015: 323 complaints2016: 195 complaints2017: 431 complaints2018: 188 complaints2019: 213 complaints2020: 95 complaints2021: 95 complaints2022: 39 complaints2023: 94 complaints2024: 40 complaints
Forte NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Forte years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Kia Forte problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine11040%
Brakes3814%
Electrical System259%
Airbags166%
Lighting145%
Steering135%
Other135%
Transmission104%
Seat Belts83%
Fuel System62%
Tires & Wheels62%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Suspension31%
Speed Control21%
Driver Assistance21%
Body & Structure21%
Seats10%

Does the 2013 Kia Forte have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V652000BrakesSeptember 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 units

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.

Consequence

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.

20V750000EngineDecember 2, 2020 · 294,756 units

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.

Consequence

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.

18V363000AirbagsJune 1, 2018 · 507,587 units

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.

Consequence

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.

17V773000BrakesDecember 1, 2017 · 134,366 units

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.

Consequence

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.

16V312000Seat BeltsMay 17, 2016 · 5,245 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If a retaining plate breaks during a crash, pieces of the plate could strike the occupants, increasing risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The contact owned a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while parked, a passerby observed fire emanating from the engine compartment. The origin of the fire was unknown. The police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a lot where it was deemed…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 14, 2023 · fire

“YESTERDAY MY BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT ENGAGE AND HAD AN ACCIDENT. I HAD REPORTED TO KIA THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STICKING AND I WOULD HAVE TO FLIP IT BACK UP HOWEVER WHEN I TOOK IT IN THEY INFORMED ME THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. KIA SHOULD REALLY LOOK INTO TO THIS COSTLY PROBLEM. I HAVE LOOKED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 5, 2016 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT NOTICED HER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, SHE STOPPED FOR FUEL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SPUTTER AND SHAKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 4, 2020 · fire

“I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS SITTING STILL WHEN I WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR BY A DULLY TRUCK THAT WAS TRAVELING GREATER THAN 40 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS PUSHED APPROXIMATELY 4 FEET INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEAT BROKE. THE SEAT IS IN THE RECLINED POSITION. THE ADJUSTER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 17, 2016 · crash

“MY WINDOWS BEGAN TO ROLL UP SLOWER THAN USUAL. WHEN I ROLL MY WINDOW UP SEEMS LIKE MY LIGHTS WOULD DIM. BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY, I PARKED MY CAR. IT SEEMED TO BE RUNNING JUST FINE BEFORE I TURNED IT OFF. HOWEVER, WHEN I WENT BACK OUT TO TURN IT ON, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN NOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 29, 2024 · fire

2013 Kia Forte — common questions

Is the 2013 Kia Forte reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 272 complaints put the 2013 model at #6 of 16 Forte years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Forte years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Forte problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (110 complaints), brakes (38 complaints), electrical system (25 complaints).

Does the 2013 Kia Forte have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Kia Forte. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Kia Forte under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Kia Forte years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Forte years to avoid are 2014, 2017, 2012, 2015, 2010, 2013, 2011. The cleanest record among Forte years belongs to 2009.

How safe is the 2013 Kia Forte?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Kia Forte earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.