2013 Kia Forte: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 195 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 5 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
195
Complaints
5
Recalls
16
Crash reports
13
Fire reports
17
Injuries
163.1
Severity index
Severity index 163.1 - High. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 145 2013 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2013 Kia Forte ranks 10 of 145 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 93% of its model-year peers. See the full 2013 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 107 | 54.9% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 38 | 19.5% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 25 | 12.8% |
| AIR BAGS | 16 | 8.2% |
| HYDRAULIC | 14 | 7.2% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 14 | 7.2% |
| STEERING | 13 | 6.7% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 13 | 6.7% |
The single most-reported system is ENGINE, cited in 107 of 195 complaints (54.9%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 22 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 28 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 4 |
Complaint volume is broadly steady year over year.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V750000 | 02/12/2020 | ENGINE | 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. |
| 18V363000 | 01/06/2018 | AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE | 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 prete |
| 17V773000 | 01/12/2017 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES | 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 |
| 16V312000 | 17/05/2016 | SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 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 ret |
| 23V652000 | 25/09/2023 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | 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 Con |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.