2013 Kia Forte: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 271 complaints
271
Total Complaints
75,682mi
Median Mileage
Engine
Top Issue
26
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
46,220
25th Percentile
75,682
Median Mileage
108,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Engine
106
Electrical System
24
Service Brakes
24
Air Bags
16
Exterior Lighting
14
Steering
13
Unknown Or Other
13
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
13
Power Train
10
Seat Belts
8
Severity Assessment
26
Crashes
23
Fires
27
Injuries
3
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"AT VEHICLE START - GAUGES ON DASH DID NOT WORK AND SHIFT LOCK WAS ENGAGED. UNABLE TO SHIFT VIA SHIFT RELEASE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. *TR *JS"
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT LOOKED THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS PROJECTED AN UNUSUAL IMAGE WHICH DISTORTED HIS VIEW. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ANY SPEED BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHIC..."
"2013 KIA FORTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MAJOR ENGINE DEFECTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THREE WEEKS AFTER HER DAUGHTER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. SMOKE AND A VERY ST..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Engine
106 complaints
25th: 59,000 mi
Median: 85,000 mi
75th: 113,309 mi
Electrical System
24 complaints
25th: 43,000 mi
Median: 74,000 mi
75th: 82,000 mi
Service Brakes
24 complaints
25th: 18,000 mi
Median: 75,365 mi
75th: 83,000 mi
Air Bags
16 complaints
25th: 69,500 mi
Median: 100,000 mi
75th: 114,000 mi
Exterior Lighting
14 complaints
25th: 60,548 mi
Median: 70,332 mi
75th: 77,023 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 37
CA: 26
OH: 19
NY: 13
KY: 12
PA: 12
VA: 12
TN: 11
FL: 11
NC: 10
Who Files Complaints?
2.2%
Original Owners
97.8%
Second+ Owners
Kia Forte — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (5)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Engine
Campaign 20V750000 | 02/12/2020
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software,
Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Campaign 18V363000 | 01/06/2018
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.
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 in
Pedals And Linkages
Campaign 17V773000 | 01/12/2017
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. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC158.
Retractor
Campaign 16V312000 | 17/05/2016
If a retaining plate breaks during a crash, pieces of the plate could strike the occupants, increasing risk of injury.
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.
Control Unit/Module
Campaign 23V652000 | 25/09/2023
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2
Extend Your Engine Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
- Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
- Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
- Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
- Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
- Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28