How many recalls does the 2013 Kia Forte Koup have?

The 2013 Kia Forte Koup has 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2013 Kia Forte Koup has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2013 Kia Forte Koup?

Of 22 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is engine.

2013 Kia Forte Koup Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2013 Kia Forte Koup has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,666,901 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 23V652000 2023-09-25 1,730,192 affected

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…

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…

ENGINE 20V750000 2020-12-02 294,756 affected

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. …

AIR BAGS 18V363000 2018-06-01 507,587 affected

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…

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 17V773000 2017-12-01 134,366 affected

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…

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…

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.

Complaints by component

ENGINE

AIR BAGS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SEAT BELTS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

STRUCTURE:BODY

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

WHEELS

Total complaints22

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“I purchased this kia in 2014, since then, I have had to repeatedly replace the headlights, tail / brake lights and the license plate lights. The plastic part of the connectors have dried out and are breaking into pieces due to the wiring getting too hot, as the parts that are left are now starting…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2019-07-06

“I purchased this kia in 2014, since then, I have had to repeatedly replace the headlights, tail / brake lights and the license plate lights. The plastic part of the connectors have dried out and are breaking into pieces due to the wiring getting too hot, as the parts that are left are now starting…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2019-07-06

“I purchased this kia in 2014, since then, I have had to repeatedly replace the headlights, tail / brake lights and the license plate lights. The plastic part of the connectors have dried out and are breaking into pieces due to the wiring getting too hot, as the parts that are left are now starting…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2019-07-06

“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia forte koup. While driving approximately 68-70 mph, the sun roof exploded outward. The sun roof exploded without impact from a foreign object. There were no injuries. Team kia of el cajon (541 n johnson ave, el cajon, ca 92020, [REDACTED]) was notified of the…”

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY · reported 2019-02-19

“The car started driving sluggish out of nowhere and I took it in to a mechanic who took it out for a test drive where it all of a sudden started smoking and the engine seized up while in motion. The car had its oil change and was well taken care of before this happened.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2019-02-05

“The car started driving sluggish out of nowhere and I took it in to a mechanic who took it out for a test drive where it all of a sudden started smoking and the engine seized up while in motion. The car had its oil change and was well taken care of before this happened.”

ENGINE · reported 2019-02-05

“My motor slung a rod without reason at 90k miles. I have the same 2.4 liter motor in my kia forte as the motors previously recalled in the optimas. The just found that this engine failure is happening in the 1.6 liter souls as well yet they refuse to fix my car because the car itself isn't listed…”

ENGINE · reported 2019-01-21

“My kia forte koup 2013 sx has engine failure with no notice. My son was driving 73mph on the interstate and almost lost his life trying to get the car to the side of the road. The car would not turn over after said failure. My car has 92k miles and I am the second owner. I have had all maintenance…”

ENGINE · reported 2018-12-25

Defect investigations

Investigation AQ23002 Opened 2023-11-17 · open

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…

Investigation DP22003 Opened 2022-09-12 · closed 2023-12-12

Loss of Motive Power

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles…

Investigation EA19001 Opened 2019-04-19 · closed 2024-09-19

Electrical overstress

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.Â During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air…

Investigation EA21003 Opened 2021-12-22 · closed 2024-02-05

Engine Fires

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.Â During the PE…