Engine
NHTSA campaign 20V750000 · 2020 · reported 12/02/2020
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2013 Kia Forte Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine — runs 4.4× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
195Complaints
5Recalls
16Crashes
13Fires
17Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine (54.9% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Engine complaints here are 4.4× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 107 · 54.9% | Recalled | Recall 20V750000 |
| Electrical System | 24 · 12.3% | not available | — |
| Service Brakes | 24 · 12.3% | Recalled | Recall 17V773000 · Recall 23V652000 |
| Air Bags | 16 · 8.2% | Recalled | Recall 18V363000 |
| Exterior Lighting | 14 · 7.2% | not available | — |
| Steering | 13 · 6.7% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 195 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 5 campaigns
Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
NHTSA campaign 18V363000 · 2018 · reported 06/01/2018
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
NHTSA campaign 17V773000 · 2017 · reported 12/01/2017
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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Seat Belts:front:retractor
NHTSA campaign 16V312000 · 2016 · reported 05/17/2016
If a retaining plate breaks during a crash, pieces of the plate could strike the occupants, increasing risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · 2023 · reported 09/25/2023
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · Park outside · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
What owners report
“Engine Knock, Engine failure and replacement. The car had to be towed to the dealer and they would not cover the repair because we were…”NHTSA complaint 11443220 — filed 12/09/2021 · ENGINE
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that while driving at 50…”NHTSA complaint 11438039 — filed 10/25/2021 · ENGINE
“MY 2013 KIA FORTE KOUP WAS PARKED AS I RAN INTO THE STORE, I CAME OUT TO MY CAR ON FIRE AND IT IS NOT…”NHTSA complaint 11406929 — filed 04/07/2021 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Kia Forte?
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 107 of 195 NHTSA complaints (54.9%), followed by electrical system (24), service brakes (24), air bags (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2013 Kia Forte have?
195 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 13 involved a fire, and 17 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2013 Kia Forte have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 20V750000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2013 Kia Forte's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
