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2013 Kia Forte KoupProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 16 owner complaints about the 2013 Kia Forte Koup, most often about the engine. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-652 the manufacturer reports only 28% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls4Lowest repair rate 28%Owner complaints163 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage84kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 25, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2013 Kia Forte Koup has problems

16 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine121
Electrical system20
Air bags21
Seat belts20
Wheels11
Structure11
Visibility10
Exterior lighting10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2013 Kia Forte Koup recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

28%repaired · 2025 Q4

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Park outside

Recall 23V-652 · Sep 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 vehicles · 478,615 repaired

Risk. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

40%repaired · 2020 Q1

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

Recall 18V-363 · Jun 1, 2018 · 507,587 vehicles · 201,060 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

47%repaired · 2019 Q2

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages

Recall 17V-773 · Dec 1, 2017 · 134,366 vehicles · 63,491 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.

Best & worst years

2013 vs. every other Forte Koup year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Forte Koup median. How we score

'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2013 Kia Forte Koup safety ratings

2013 Kia Forte Koup 2 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2013 Kia Forte Koup, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresAQ23002 · still open
    Open
  2. Loss of Motive PowerDP22003 · closed Dec 12, 2023
    No recall
  3. Electrical overstressEA19001 · closed Sep 19, 2024
    Led to recall 20V-024
  4. Engine FiresEA21003 · closed Feb 5, 2024
    Led to recall 23V-877
  5. Air bags may be disabled during crashPE18003 · closed Aug 30, 2019
    Led to recall 18E-043
In owners' words

What Forte Koup owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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.
Complaint 11229662 · Jul 5, 2019 · 101,000 miles
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…
Complaint 11217999 · Jun 5, 2019 · 112,000 miles
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…
Complaint 11183098 · Feb 28, 2019 · 90,000 miles

Own a 2013 Forte Koup?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.