2013 Kia Forte Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Kia Forte has a complaint index of 53 and ranks 8th of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 57% of complaints, with 5 recalls covering brakes, engine fires, airbags, and seat belts.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 53/100
- #8 of 16 Forte years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 195
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 13
- Injuries
- 17
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 25 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 1
Top 2013 Kia Forte problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine111 (57%)
- Brakes37 (19%)
- Electrical System30 (15%)
- Airbags16 (8%)
- Other13 (7%)
- Steering13 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (5%)
- Seat Belts8 (4%)
- Fuel System6 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engines have caught fire or thrown parts while driving on the highway, sometimes preceded by a ticking sound and loss of power.
- Electrical fires have started in the dashboard area, in some cases while the vehicle was parked and off.
- Airbags failed to deploy in rear-end and frontal collisions, sometimes despite the driver having already received a recall notice.
- Seat belts failed to lock during crashes, allowing occupants to strike the steering wheel or windshield.
- The shift lever reportedly rolled from park into reverse after the driver removed the key, causing the vehicle to move unattended.
- Brake pedals have stuck or failed to engage, contributing to at least one reported accident.
2013 Kia Forte recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
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 Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 20V750000Dec 2, 2020Engine294,756 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V363000Jun 1, 2018Airbags507,587 vehicles
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 pretensioners from deploying.
Risk: 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.
2013 Kia Forte fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Forte years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Kia Forte reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2013 Forte has a complaint index of 53 and ranks 8th out of 16 model years, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other Forte years. Engine complaints make up 57% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 85,000 miles.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Kia Forte?
- Engine issues account for 57% of complaints (111 of 195), followed by brakes at 19% and electrical system problems at 15%. Owners also reported airbag non-deployment and seat belt failures in crashes.
- Does the 2013 Kia Forte have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 Forte, covering brakes, an engine compartment fire risk, an airbag control unit short circuit, a brake pedal stopper pad, and a seat belt retractor screw issue. None are do-not-drive recalls, though one advises parking outside away from structures.
- How does the 2013 Forte compare to other Forte years?
- The 2013 Forte's complaint index of 53 is better than 2011 (80), 2012 (87), 2014 (100), and 2017 (93), all rated Avoid, but worse than 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024, which rate Good or Best.
- Is the engine fire recall a serious concern for the 2013 Forte?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 20V750000 covers engine compartment fires on 2012-2013 Forte models, and sample complaints describe dashboard and engine bay fires, including one where the vehicle became engulfed in flames while parked.