Most common 2013 Kia Forte Koup problems
Share of the 16 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Forte Koup complaints by model year
Best Forte Koup years: 2014, 2011. Years to avoid: 2013. Compare all years →
2013 Kia Forte Koup recalls (4)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine
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.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module
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.
Remedy: 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…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 2013 Kia Forte Koup:
Air bags may be disabled during crash
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE18-003 on 3/16/18 to investigate incidents involving crashes, resulting in significant collision related damage, where the frontal airbags failed to deploy. ODI reviewed complaint data, available design, test, and field data on the model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai Sonata, MY 2012-2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles.
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021.
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando.
What 2013 Kia Forte Koup owners say
Engine & cooling
NHTSA recall sc147 2013 Kia Forte Koup has the exact same theta ii engine as described in the recall for the 2011-2014 optima, 2012-2014 sorento, and 2011-2013 sportage models. The engine was travelling at highway speeds, lost power, and proceeded to seize exactly as described in the recall above. When the vehicle was stopped, smoke proceeded to pour out of the engine hood around the head gasket. Smell of burning filled the cabin. Taken to dealership and was told that it was happening on other models but a recall did not include my model. Entire expense was a month long process starting June 1. Replacement of entire motor required, costing $6200.
On 10/13/17, my son was driving home on the fl turnpike from college when his engine seized. Lucky he was not seriously injured or killed. Had car towed to the nearest Kia orlando w dealer, found out the engine rod was blown through top and bottom of block. Engine was replaced with a short block and reused parts. During test drive car stalled due to a timing chain failing. Replaced timing chain, then the ignition coil went and had to be replaced. Next, the car began to misfire and they replace all 4 fuel injectors. Then told cylinder 2 failed the compression test which means the new motor failed. Kia sent new heads to a machine shop after several weeks we were told they were bad and had to order new ones. Now waiting on new heads to arrive be sent back to the machine shop the replaced on existing block. Still with out a car nearly 2 months later. …
2013 Kia Forte Koup engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 25 / 34 / 28 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 32 / 27 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 30 / 26 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 31 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Kia Forte Koup a good car?
Based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Forte Koup rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Forte Koup at the same age. It is one of the Forte Koup years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Kia Forte Koup?
The engine & cooling — 12 complaints, 75% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the air bags (2) and seat belts (2).
How many recalls does the 2013 Kia Forte Koup have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2013 Kia Forte Koup, the most recent from September 25, 2023 (control unit/module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Forte Koup?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013. See the full Kia Forte Koup years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Kia Forte Koup problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 13% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.