2013 Kia Forte problems and complaints
Owners have filed 195 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Forte. The most-reported areas: Engine (107), Service Brakes (38), Electrical System (25).
Key takeaways
- 195 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 16 involve a crash, 13 a fire, 17 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 107 | 55% |
| Service Brakes | 38 | 19% |
| Electrical System | 25 | 13% |
| Air Bags | 16 | 8% |
| Hydraulic | 14 | 7% |
| Exterior Lighting | 14 | 7% |
| Steering | 13 | 7% |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 | 7% |
| Power Train | 10 | 5% |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 4% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 | 3% |
| Wheels | 5 | 3% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Engine - filed 2026-04-09
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 replaced as a temporary...
Engine And Engine Cooling - filed 2026-03-16
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 that the engine needed...
Electrical System,service Brakes - filed 2026-03-14
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 I’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 wasn’t able to see if anything ha...
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More for the 2013 Kia Forte
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.