How many recalls does the 2013 Kia Forte have?

The 2013 Kia Forte has 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2013 Kia Forte 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?

Of 272 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is engine.

2013 Kia Forte Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2013 Kia Forte has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,672,146 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 272 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.

SEAT BELTS 16V312000 2016-05-17 5,245 affected

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.

Complaints by component

ENGINE

107

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BRAKES

321

AIR BAGS

111121

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

STEERING

111

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

131

POWER TRAIN

SEAT BELTS

561

Total complaints272

What owners report

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

“The contact owns a 2013 kia forte. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into limp mode. The contact stated the vehicle was unable to exceed 20 mph. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the knock sensor was…”

ENGINE · reported 2026-03-17

“The contact owns a 2013 kia forte. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the piston rings had failed, causing catastrophic engine damages. The contact was advised…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · reported 2026-03-01

“The contact owns a 2013 kia forte. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the brake pedal failed to operate as needed and depressed to the floorboard without warning. As a result of the brake failure, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact stated that both…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2025-12-20

“The system that is failing are the brakes and the tail lights. They used to be an open recall for the brake pedal stopper pad, however iâ€™m not sure if that part is able to break again because in october I remember hitting the break and something I heard a crack down by the pedal, but I wasnâ€™t…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2025-10-15

“The system that is failing are the brakes and the tail lights. They used to be an open recall for the brake pedal stopper pad, however iâ€™m not sure if that part is able to break again because in october I remember hitting the break and something I heard a crack down by the pedal, but I wasnâ€™t…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2025-10-15

“The electric side mirror/s controls not working correctly. The motor is buzzing and unable to set the mirrors accurately. This could drain the cars battery. The electric mirror had to be disconnect until gets repaired.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2025-08-10

“The engine has been making humming noise which is getting louder with time”

ENGINE · reported 2025-08-01

“Steering column coupler has repeatedly gone bad, causing clicking and play in the steering wheel. There is an open recall for this issue on kia optimaâ€™s, which use the same part. Iâ€™ve had this issue diagnosed and fixed by 2 different shops. It is an extremely common issue in these cars.”

STEERING · reported 2025-06-05

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…