2013 Kia Forte: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2013 Kia Forte? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 195 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2013 Kia Forte Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 8 2013 Kia Forte trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 8 trims analysed.
2013 Kia Forte Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
10.3% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
10.3% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2013 Kia Forte has 195 owner complaints, 16 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Kia
- Model
- Forte
- Model year
- 2013
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 195
- Crash-related complaints
- 16
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 28
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 25 / 34
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2013 Kia Forte Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Brake System
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Brake System, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2013 Kia Forte?
The 2013 Kia Forte shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2013 Kia Forte
Inspection Focus
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine thoroughly before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components, especially engine and brakes.
- Test drive and check for brake responsiveness and electrical system operation.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine thoroughly before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components, especially engine and brakes.
- Test drive and check for brake responsiveness and electrical system operation.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2013 Kia Forte, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2013 Kia Forte are heavily concentrated in engine problems, with over half of all reports citing this component. Brake system and electrical faults also appear frequently, though with lower counts. Crash-related complaints are relatively few, but the overall confidence in this data is low due to limited model-year coverage.
- Engine problems account for the majority of complaints (110 out of 195).
- Brake system issues are the second most reported component (38 complaints).
- Electrical faults, airbag malfunctions, and headlight/taillight failures each have between 14 and 25 complaints.
- Engine Problems
- Brake System
- Electrical Faults
All 2013 Kia Forte Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Kia Forte. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 110 | 1 | 10 | — | |
| Brake System | 38 | 5 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 25 | — | 7 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 16 | 11 | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 14 | 2 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 14 | — | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 13 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 13 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 8 | 5 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Kia Forte. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated the vehicle was unable to exceed 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the …
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the piston rings had failed, causing catastrophic engine damages. The co…
The system that is failing are the brakes and the tail lights. They used to be an open recall for the brake pedal stopper pad, however I’m not sure if that part is able to break again because in October I remember hitting the break and something I heard a crack down by the pedal,…
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the brake pedal failed to operate as needed and depressed to the floorboard without warning. As a result of the brake failure, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact sta…
The engine has been making humming noise which is getting louder with time
The electric side mirror/s controls not working correctly. The motor is buzzing and unable to set the mirrors accurately. This could drain the cars battery. The electric mirror had to be disconnect until gets repaired.
The contact owned a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that her daughter was occupying the front passenger's side seat while the wife of the contact's daughter was driving 65 MPH. The contact stated that another vehicle that was driving approximately 100 MPH crashed into the rear…
Steering column coupler has repeatedly gone bad, causing clicking and play in the steering wheel. There is an open recall for this issue on Kia optima’s, which use the same part. I’ve had this issue diagnosed and fixed by 2 different shops. It is an extremely common issue in thes…
On 11/20/2024 I spoke to Denise Sanchez , she is the service manager for KIA and the reason of the call was about a complaint from Joel Sambrano one of her associates that was very unprofessional when I first called to set up the appointment for the recall. On 11/24/2024, I had …
Not an incident but I have noticed a whining noise and also a knocking noise coming from the engine and I've been told that it could be lifters or pistons not sure which but alot of others have complained about the same noises on their vehicles. If they were faulty from being bui…
As I’m reading it states that my knock sensor detection system and HECU FUSE NEEDS REPLACEMENT.
Issue with having to replace brake and taillights too often
On [XXX] , my 2013 Kia Forte SX Koup caught fire while I was driving on the tollway. Kia failed to notify me that I was sold a Lemon Car, leading to this life-threatening incident. The steering wheel and gas pedal became unresponsive, and my brakes stiffened, making it extremely …
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte EX. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 55 MPH, she noticed smoke emerging from the vehicle. The driver pulled over and called roadside assistance. All the warning lights illuminated. Upon arrival, roadside assistance informed …
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to 55-70 MPH. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal slightly, the vehicle came to a complete stop. The ABS, traction control, and ECU warning lights …
I purchased my 2013 Kia Forte EX5 used with 35,000 and now have 165,000 with normal wear n tear I've been mostly satisfied except with the head lights, tail and brake lights and the plate lights. Until reading here, I didn't make the connection that Yes, I have spent a lot of ti…
I recently discovered that my car has a could safety recalls, regarding the HECU possibly having a short, and a brittle brake switch stopper. I called my local Kia dealer - Cartown Kia in Nicholasville, KY - about this issue, and was informed that it might not potentially be fix…
8/24/22, 2/3/23, 10/23/23. 6/14/24 I began getting random illumination of an ICON of an engine. It would come on then off. When I called KIA, I was told if the light stayed on then get an appointment with Kia. The illumination rarely stayed on then I got a recall letter, so I g…
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time…
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2013 Kia Forte.
2013 Kia Forte Recalls
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2013 Kia Forte. 5 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2013 Kia Forte Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2013 Kia Forte reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 195 owner complaints, 16 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2013 Kia Forte shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Kia Forte?▾
#1: Engine Problems (110 complaints). #2: Brake System (38 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (25 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Kia Forte?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2013 Kia Forte?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2013 Kia Forte, NHTSA complaints include 16 crash-related reports and 13 fire reports out of 195 total complaints. 17 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2013 Kia Forte have any recalls?▾
Yes. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2013 Kia Forte. A major recall area is ENGINE. 5 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2013 Kia Forte?▾
The 2013 Kia Forte shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Kia Forte reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2013 Kia Forte based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.