Every 2013 Kia Forte Koup recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 23V652000
Sep 25, 2023Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModulePark outside
- Problem
- 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.
Full recall details for 23V652000 →Engine · NHTSA 20V750000
Feb 12, 2020Engine
- Problem
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V750000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 18V363000
Jan 6, 2018Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
- Problem
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V363000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 17V773000
Jan 12, 2017Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals and Linkages
- Problem
- 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 condition increases the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Full recall details for 17V773000 →
2013 Kia Forte Koup complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Forte Koup, reporting 1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries. Kia has issued at least 33 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine12
- Air Bags2
- Electrical System2
- Seat Belts2
- Exterior Lighting1
- Structure1
Service bulletins by component
- Structure (9)
- Steering (8)
- Electrical System (7)
- Equipment (6)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (5)
- Power Train (5)
Read Kia Forte Koup owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2013 Kia Forte Koup
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 5 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
AQ23002Opened Nov 17, 2023Open
- Loss of Motive Power
DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
- Engine Fires
EA21003Opened Dec 22, 2021Closed Feb 5, 2024
- Electrical overstress
EA19001Opened Apr 19, 2019Closed Sep 19, 2024
- Air bags may be disabled during crash
PE18003Opened Mar 16, 2018Closed Aug 30, 2019
What people reported
Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Forte Koup. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“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.”
2013 KIA FORTE KOUPMar 9, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11185477
Fire
“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.”
2013 KIA FORTE KOUPJul 5, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11109698
“I PURCHASED THIS KIA IN 2014, SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD TO REPEATEDLY REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS, TAIL / BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS.”
2013 KIA FORTE KOUPJul 10, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11230659
“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.”
2013 KIA FORTE KOUPJul 5, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11229662
“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.”
2013 KIA FORTE KOUPJun 5, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11217999
Check your Forte Koup by VIN
Not every 2013 Kia Forte Koup is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Kia dealer.
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