TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of K
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Kia Forte steering problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Kia Forte have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 68,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Forte | 11 |
| 2011 Forte | 5 |
| 2012 Forte | 9 |
| 2013 Forte (this page) | 13 |
| 2014 Forte | 62 |
| 2015 Forte | 4 |
| 2017 Forte | 9 |
1crash
1fire
1injury
What stands out
Among the 13 model years of Kia Forte in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of K
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of K
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 13, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles that are not equipped with an immobilizer, a protective cover will be permanently affixed to the ignition cylinder. This Theft Deterrent Igni
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly to certain Kia vehicle owners. These devices can help deter a theft attempt. We are making this device available to customers free of charge and will ship it directly to customers who place orders within eighteen (18) months from the date of this letter.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Steering problems on the 2013 Forte span from annoying to dangerous. Several owners describe power steering loss—one at 15,500 miles had the wheel seize at 40 MPH requiring excessive force; another experienced intermittent power steering failure that was never fixed. A dealer attempted a repair, and the problem came back.
The steering column coupler is a chronic failure point. When turning the wheel, owners hear clicking and feel play in the steering—one owner paid $1,818.36 for a full steering column replacement after the dealer said they could not repair the coupler. This same failure affects Kia Optimas and is the subject of an open recall on those vehicles.
Separate from mechanical failure, multiple owners report steering control and stability issues at highway speeds. The car is described as too lightweight and easily destabilized by crosswinds of 15–25 MPH or even minor road bumps at 55–70 MPH, causing jerking and difficulty maintaining lane position.
Most severe: one owner reports the steering wheel locked completely while driving, the brakes failed simultaneously, and the vehicle rolled over—airbags did not deploy. That owner regained consciousness upside down in the car.
Steering column sticking at neutral position was also reported while both parked and driving, with owners sensing internal binding.
Same Kia Forte steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering loss or seizure
Power steering became unavailable or severely restricted, sometimes intermittently. In one case at 40 MPH, the wheel seized and required excessive force. In another, loss of power steering occurred intermittently but was not repaired.
When: 15,500 miles; also reported intermittently at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seized or locked; Excessive force required to turn wheel; Intermittent loss of power steering function; Wheel could not be controlled
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports engine replacement attempted but failure recurred; another intermittent loss was never repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign referenced (21V259000) for engine issues; manufacturer made aware but limited response documented
Steering column coupler failure
Steering column coupler developed excessive play and clicking, preventing smooth wheel operation. Owner reports this is an open recall issue on Kia Optimas using the same part and a common problem in these cars.
When: Unknown mileage; chronic throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise with each steering wheel turn; Excessive play in steering wheel; Steering wheel feels loose
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted to replace small plastic part in column but could not; full steering column replacement required at cost of $1,818.36
Steering wheel sticking at neutral
Steering wheel becomes stuck in neutral position, either while parked or while driving, with sensation of something internal binding within the steering column.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel stuck at neutral position; Binding sensation in steering column; Sticking occurs while parked or driving
Steering stability at highway speeds
Vehicle exhibited poor directional stability and excessive movement when exposed to crosswinds or when traveling over minor road bumps at highway speeds. Vehicle described as extremely lightweight and difficult to control in winds of 15 MPH or stronger.
When: Highway speeds 55–70 MPH; occurs with wind gusts of 15–25 MPH
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerks or shakes when passing over minor bumps at speed; Severe instability in crosswinds; Rear of vehicle too light to hold road straight; Vehicle difficult to control in strong winds; Described as being pulled toward other vehicles in wind
Complete steering and brake failure with crash
Steering wheel locked to one side while driving, brakes failed simultaneously, vehicle made involuntary U-turn and rolled over. Airbags did not deploy despite rollover. This represents a catastrophic control loss.
When: Unknown mileage; during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked to one side; Complete loss of steering control; Brakes failed; Vehicle veered uncontrollably; Airbags did not deploy on rollover
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle rolled over; owner found unconscious
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2013 Kia Forte?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2013 Kia Forte?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 20,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Kia/Forte.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.