2013 Kia Forte Koup problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (12) · Seat Belts (2) · Wheels (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Forte Koup model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2023-09-25 · campaign 23V652000 · 1,730,192 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Engine 2020-12-02 · campaign 20V750000 · 294,756 vehicles
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module 2018-06-01 · campaign 18V363000 · 507,587 vehicles
Defect: 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. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Risk: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages 2017-12-01 · campaign 17V773000 · 134,366 vehicles
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
Risk: 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, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condit
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (33)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-02-19 · TSB_CS2312_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - 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 prov
Structure:body 2025-12-19 · CS2311_OWNR_PC201 · Other
customer satisfaction campaign: postcard owner renotification (cs2311) - this document is the owner renotification advising that kia is conducting customer satisfaction campaign. kia has developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade and can be installed at the ignition
Power Train 2024-05-16 · TSB_TRA046_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced.
Structure 2024-02-22 · CS2311_TSB_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 provid
Equipment 2023-03-20 · CS2305L_OWNRYD · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 fr
Power Train 2022-11-18 · TSB_TRA046_R3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart
Showing the 6 most recent of 33 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-07-10 · Seat Belts · 50,000 mi“i purchased this kia in 2014, since then, i have had to repeatedly replace the headlights, tail / brake lights and the license plate lights. the plastic part of the connectors have dried out and are breaking into pieces due to the wiring getting too hot, as the parts that are left are now starting to melt. i have owned several different cars and i …”
2019-07-05 · Engine · 101,000 mi“driving on a busy highway going approximately 65 mph when the rpms dropped to zero. i was able to get it on the shoulder without accident. the car was towed to a mechanic who informed me the engine seized up but the oil looked fine. the mechanic thought this was odd. the car had 101,000 miles in it.…”
2019-06-05 · Engine · 112,000 mi“theta ii engine recall. a year and a half ago, i was driving down the interstate and all of a sudden all the dash lights came on and the car lost all power. i was luckily able to guide it off the interstate to a safe spot on the side. the car wouldnt stary back at all. come to find out, the rods failed and locked the engine up. when it first ha…”
2019-03-09 · Wheels · 4 mi · 💥 crash“i was crossing through an intersection turning left right after the light had turned green. next thing i knew it i saw another car, it was a camry, flying through the light right for me. it was raining here in florida that day, and of course going to brake so abruptly i slid in addition to the speed and was not able to stop in time. i was t-boned a…”
2019-02-28 · Engine · 90,000 mi“my motor slung a rod without reason at 90k miles. i have the same 2.4 liter motor in my kia forte as the motors previously recalled in the optimas. the just found that this engine failure is happening in the 1.6 liter souls as well yet they refuse to fix my car because the car itself isn't listed under the recall. please help! i was driving about 5…”
2019-02-19 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 88,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia forte koup. while driving approximately 68-70 mph, the sun roof exploded outward. the sun roof exploded without impact from a foreign object. there were no injuries. team kia of el cajon (541 n johnson ave, el cajon, ca 92020, (619) 444-7200) was notified of the failure. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the…”
2019-02-07 · Engine · 80,000 mi“the car started driving sluggish out of nowhere and i took it in to a mechanic who took it out for a test drive where it all of a sudden started smoking and the engine seized up while in motion. the car had its oil change and was well taken care of before this happened.…”
2019-01-04 · Engine · 92,000 mi“my kia forte koup 2013 sx has engine failure with no notice. my son was driving 73mph on the interstate and almost lost his life trying to get the car to the side of the road. the car would not turn over after said failure. my car has 92k miles and i am the second owner. i have had all maintenance done at kia on time and as recommended. dealer tel…”
2018-09-24 · Engine · 43,000 mi“back in june 2018, i was driving along the interstate, running about 75 and heard what sounded like a flapping noise then all the dash board lights came on and the car stalled. had to get it towed back home. come to find out the motor had seized up. i've read numerous complaints on the 2.4 engine in the kia's but none have made it to the recall lis…”
2018-08-15 · Seat Belts“tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia forte koup. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v363000 (air bags, seat belts); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. lifetime kia (4170 e u.s. hwy 64 alt, murphy, north carol…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.