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Model Year Problem Record

Kia Forte 2013 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2013 Kia Forte: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

195Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
11Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
49Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine110 complaints

110 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 20V750000.

Brakes38 complaints

38 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 17V773000, 23V652000.

Electrical System25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags16 complaints

16 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 18V363000.

Lighting14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts8 complaints

8 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 16V312000.

Fuel and Propulsion System6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

16V312000Reported May 17, 2016 - 5,245 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on May 17, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 5,245 vehicles across all affected models.

17V773000Reported December 1, 2017 - 134,366 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on December 1, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 134,366 vehicles across all affected models.

18V363000Reported June 1, 2018 - 507,587 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on June 1, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 507,587 vehicles across all affected models.

20V750000Reported December 2, 2020 - 294,756 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on December 2, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 294,756 vehicles across all affected models.

23V652000Reported September 25, 2023 - 1,730,192 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on September 25, 2023. The campaign covers an estimated 1,730,192 vehicles across all affected models. Owners are advised to park outside because of a fire risk.

Park Outside Advisory

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

AQ23002Opened November 17, 2023 - Open

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP22003Opened September 12, 2022 - Closed December 12, 2023

Loss of Motive Power. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA19001Opened April 19, 2019 - Closed September 19, 2024

Electrical overstress. Resulted in recall campaign 20V024.

EA21003Opened December 22, 2021 - Closed February 5, 2024

Engine Fires. Resulted in recall campaign 23V877.

PE18003Opened March 16, 2018 - Closed August 30, 2019

Air bags may be disabled during crash. Resulted in recall campaign 18E043000.

PE18003Opened March 16, 2018 - Closed August 30, 2019

Air bags may be disabled during crash. Resulted in recall campaign 18E043000.

PE18003Opened March 16, 2018 - Closed August 30, 2019

Air bags may be disabled during crash. Resulted in recall campaign 18E043000.

PE18003Opened March 16, 2018 - Closed August 30, 2019

Air bags may be disabled during crash. Resulted in recall campaign 18E043000.

PE18003Opened March 16, 2018 - Closed August 30, 2019

Air bags may be disabled during crash. Resulted in recall campaign 18E043000.

PE18003Opened March 16, 2018 - Closed August 30, 2019

Air bags may be disabled during crash. Resulted in recall campaign 18E043000.

PE18003Opened March 16, 2018 - Closed August 30, 2019

Air bags may be disabled during crash. Resulted in recall campaign 18E043000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20121
20135
20148
20157
20168
201710
201822
201923
202022
202120
202213
202328
202416
20258
20264
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.