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ProblemsByVinFile / 2013-KIA-FORTENHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2013 · Kia
Kia Forte problems
195 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
Reliability score
7.0 / 10
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Forte?
Avoid — the engine
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced.
6 fire-related complaints on the engine
Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
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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
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…
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…
Had a problem with your 2013 Kia Forte?
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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.
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.
Under investigation
1 open at NHTSA
AQService Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · opened November 2023
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. AQ23002 on NHTSA →
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.
Should you avoid the 2013 Kia Forte?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Kia Forte is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 6 fire-related complaints on the engine; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
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. Typical failure occurs around 91,991 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 94,778 miles. 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 are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Kia/Forte.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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