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ProblemsByVin File / 2013-KIA-FORTE
2013 · Kia

Kia Forte problems

2 safety recalls. 195 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
88 reports · avg $3,100
severe
brakes
24 reports · avg $450
severe
electrical
19 reports · avg $850
severe
airbags
14 reports · avg $1,100
critical
steering
13 reports · avg $700
severe
powertrain
9 reports · avg $2,500
severe
lighting
5 reports · avg $250
moderate
visibility
3 reports · avg $350
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 Forte · visibility
THE FRONT WINDOW CRACKED WITH THE DEFROSTERS ON. IT WAS 35 DEGREES OUTSIDE TEMP. THE CRACK STARTED OUTSIDE THE AREA FROM THE DEFROSTERS. 2 TO 3 INCHES ABOVE THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW. IT ONLY CRACKED ON THE INSIDE. NO STONE MARKS ON THE OUTSIDE. *TR
12/22/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10667644.0
2013 Forte · engine
COMING HOME ON SEPTEMBER 25TH 2020 AT 1AM ON NJ TURNPIKE CAR STARTED TO TAP VERY LOUDLY AND LOST POWER AT 65 MPH. CAR HAS 83,659 MILES. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER ON SEPTEMBER 29TH ,2020 DEALER NOTIFIED US ON OCTOBER 1ST THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY…
12/21/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11384385.0
2013 Forte · engine
ENGINE MAKING CLICKING SOUND. SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE THE OTHER ENGINE ISSUES KIA HAS RECALLED.
12/20/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11384246.0
2013 Forte · engine
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND IT BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, THE ENGINE INCREASINGLY BECAME LOUDER AND I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC AROUND ME AND MY 9 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE CAR. WE WERE SCARED. I BARELY GOT THE…
12/20/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11384287.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 16V312000 17/05/2016

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2013 Forte vehicles manufactured September 10, 2012, to October 31, 2012

If a retaining plate breaks during a crash, pieces of the plate could strike the occupants, increasing risk of injury.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 18V363000 01/06/2018

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

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Kia Forte reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 195 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Kia Forte is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Kia Forte?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 88 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Kia Forte has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Kia Forte?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 195 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Kia. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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