There are 19 owner-reported electrical system complaints for the 2013 Kia Fortein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The system that is failing are the brakes and the tail lights. They used to be an open recall for the brake pedal stopper pad, however I’m not sure if that part is able to break again because in October I remember hitting the break and something I heard a crack down by the pedal, but I wasn’t able to see if anything had broken. I can’t check after that. I’ve have had continuous issues with my tail lights. The tail lights won’t turn on. They’ll turn on sometimes sometimes they won’t. The tail lights will stay on. I won’t blink when I break. They’ll just stay on one of them will be on the others will be off.
The electric side mirror/s controls not working correctly. The motor is buzzing and unable to set the mirrors accurately. This could drain the cars battery. The electric mirror had to be disconnect until gets repaired.
I purchased my 2013 Kia Forte EX5 used with 35,000 and now have 165,000 with normal wear n tear I've been mostly satisfied except with the head lights, tail and brake lights and the plate lights. Until reading here, I didn't make the connection that Yes, I have spent a lot of time and money on getting these replaced multiple times each year-seems every oil change there's been a bulb out. No melting of the socket just a blub blown. I go to Advance auto, and thankfully they are adept in swapping out the front lights but for all the rear I most have to get a mechanic
I recently discovered that my car has a could safety recalls, regarding the HECU possibly having a short, and a brittle brake switch stopper. I called my local Kia dealer - Cartown Kia in Nicholasville, KY - about this issue, and was informed that it might not potentially be fixed for upwards of 2 months (2 weeks of I show up with my car today). This is not going to be fixed in a timely manner, especially with the risk of my car catching fire, and the dealership not providing a loaner car.
MY WINDOWS BEGAN TO ROLL UP SLOWER THAN USUAL. WHEN I ROLL MY WINDOW UP SEEMS LIKE MY LIGHTS WOULD DIM. BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY, I PARKED MY CAR. IT SEEMED TO BE RUNNING JUST FINE BEFORE I TURNED IT OFF. HOWEVER, WHEN I WENT BACK OUT TO TURN IT ON, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN NOR WOULD THE GEAR MOVE. ONCE I SAT FOR HOURS WAITING FOR A FAMILY MEMBER TO ASSIST ME. THE FAMILY MEMBER CAME AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED. ONCE STARTED WE BEGAN TO SEE AND SMELL SMOKE. IT SMELLED LIKE ELECTRICITY. THE CAR DIED OUT AND CONTINUED TO SMOKE REALLY BAD AND THE SMELL OF ELECTRICTY BECAME STRONGER. THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER START.
I took my car into the dealership to be told there’s not yet a remedy for my cars it’s been 5months and now my cars stalling and the check engine light is flashing after I just had repairs done in April
Engine light abs sensor from right wheel Repair at Mavis Tire 1701 19th St Bessemer Al 35020 phone# Mavis 205 666 0750 Repair made 08/18/2023 $381.12 total I have invoice from Mavis Tire I am unable to send my invoice.
There is a recurring problem with the rear lights blowing out socket and all. They are also a fire hazard because they are getting hotter than usual. Something needs to be done because this happens a lot. There is a defect.
I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM CARFAX NOTIFYING ME OF A RECALL FOR MY CAR PERTAINING TO A POSSIBLE FIRE, I CALLED DEALERSHIP TO SET UP APPOINTMENT AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS 2 RECALLS FOR MY CAR BUT NEVER ONCE RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM KIA. MY APPOINTMENT WAS FOR THE COMING SATURDAY BUT ON WEDNESDAY AFTER I PARKED AND RAN INTO THE GROCERY STORE FOR LESS THAN 15MINS I CAME OUT TO A GENTLEMAN WHO ASKED IF THIS WAS MY CAR, WHEN I LOOKED AT IT I WAS CONFUSED BECAUSE ALL THE WINDOWS WERE BLACK AND SMOKE WAS COMING I BELIEVE FROM EITHER THE HOOD OR WINDOW, HE SAID YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE. BEFORE I KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING THERE WERE FIRE TRUCKS AND POLICE. MY ENTIRE INSIDE OF MY CAR BEHIND THE DASHBOARD AND ALL ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE BURNED THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD STEERING WHEEL RADIO EVERYTHING. MY CAR WAS DESTROYED, I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY RIGHT AWAY AS THE POLICE ADVISED ME TOO AND LATER ON A FRIEND GAVE ME THE NUMBER TO THE KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE WHERE I NOTIFIED THEM.
MY 2013 KIA FORTE KOUP WAS PARKED AS I RAN INTO THE STORE, I CAME OUT TO MY CAR ON FIRE AND IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE. IT WAS ALL FROM BEHIND THE DASHBOARD THE ELECTRICAL I BELIEVE AS MY STEERING WHEEL AND EVERYTHING WAS ON FIRE. I HAVE A 10YR WARRANTY ON MY CAR, I RECEIVED AN URGENT RECALL A FEW DAYS AFTER MY CAR FIRE IN REGARDS TO POSSIBLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE AND SOMETHING ELSE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHO I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM BUT THEY SAID WE DO NOT DEAL WITH THAT YOU MUST CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE SO I DID THE VERY NEXT DAY. I SPOKE WITH RYAN AND HE GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER STATED NOT TO WORRY THEY WILL GET ME IN A CAR AND HAVE MY CAR INSPECTED AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR ME. I HEARD FROM HIM TWICE THEN NOTHING FOR TWO WEEKS THEIR SYSTEMS WERE DOWN, I HAVE CALLED AND EMAILED SO MANY TIMES WITH NO CALL BACK OR EMAIL BACK. I DEMANDED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR BECAUSE 3 WEEKS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE I DID NOT HAVE A REPLACEMENT CAR OR RENTAL AND MY RENTAL THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD ONLY BE FOR 30 DAYS. THE MANAGER WAS JEFF STROUP WHO WAS NOT HELPFUL AND A LITTLE SHADY ALSO LAUGHED AT ME BECAUSE I WAS UPSET I HAD NO CAR NO ANSWERS NO RESULTS. HE SAID IT TAKES A WHILE TO HAVE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND THEN ANOTHER MONTH FOR THE RESULTS, BUT YET I AM AT THEIR MERCY BEING I HAVE NO CAR AND I HAVE A WARRANTY. HE WAS RUDE AND NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. HE ASKED ME TO SEND HIM THE BILL FOR THE RENTAL CAR I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET, I DID AND HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM. I HAVE CALLED MANY TIMES AND THEY DO NOT GIVE YOU ANYONES DIRECT NUMBER OR EMAIL. IT IS ABOUT 2 MONTHS SINCE MY CAR FIRE AND NO PHONE CALLS NO INSPECTION OF MY CAR AND ABSOLUTELY NO HELP FROM KIA! I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY GIVE HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FAIL TO ASSIST SOMEONE WHO SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON THEIR CAR AND HAS A WARRANTY. I CURRENTLY HAVE NO VEHICLE BUT A WARRANTY THAT DOES NOTHING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT NOTICED HER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, SHE STOPPED FOR FUEL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SPUTTER AND SHAKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A MISFIRE SHORT IN THE WIRING. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED A BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS NOW AND I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE REAR TAIL LIGHT/ BRAKE LIGHT BULBS CONTINUOUSLY BLOWING OUT. I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ALMOST EVERY 1-2 MONTHS. WHEN REPLACING THEM, THEY ARE VERY HOT. NOT SURE IF THIS IS A WIRING ISSUE AMONG MANY OTHER FORTES AS I HAD READ UPON NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE.
I have owned my 2013 kia forte for over 7 years. Within the last 3 years I have had significant issues with my tail lights and break lights burning out. To the point that the socket completely melted and shattered the light bulb.upon attempting to fix and remove the melted socket I sliced my hand open. I have been pulled over multiple times for my lights flickering or even just being out. It's to the point where I carry spare light bulbs in my car. I've had a mechanic look at my vehicle and I've been advise that I need to have the whole tail light assembly replaced. This is a huge safety issue especially when traveling with my small children. I've spoken with many people that have this model car and all experience the same issue. I'm shocked to know this is not a recall issue!
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED AT 21,000 AND IT NOW HAS AROUND 65,000. IN THE LAST THREE YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE SEVERAL DIFFERENT LIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES. IT BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED IT WITH REPLACING REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT THREE TIMES IN A SIX MONTH PERIOD. FROM THERE I HAVE REPLACED THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS TWICE THE OTHER BRAKE LIGHT TWICE. WHEN REPLACING THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE BACK WINDOW, THE SOCKET WAS MELTED. THIS PAST YEAR I REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT AND A COUPLE BIG MONTHS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE. NOW THE DRIVER SIDE HAS GONE OUT AGAIN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA FORTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE NOT IDLING, THE CONTACT NOT ALERTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED BECAUSE THE MATTER WAS RESOLVED WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. **TR CONSUMER STATED CAR WAS PARKED. FAILING PART: COOLING FAN SENSOR. UPDATED 11/8/18*JB
DURING MONTH OF DECEMBER 2017 DISCOVERED ALL BRAKE LIGHTS (TOTAL OF 3 BULBS) BURNED OUT. THE CENTER TOP BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY DISCOVERED MELTED (SELF REPLACED WITH NEW ONES). THREE WEEKS AGO, RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND BULB BOTH BURNED OUT AND MELTED. I REPLACED THE LIGHT BULB AND USED ELECTRICIAN TAPE TO HOLD SOCKET AND BULB IN PLACE.
I KEEP HAVING ISSUES WITH MY BREAK LIGHT HAVING TO BE REPLACED ALL THE TIME. NOW IT'S WHERE THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL NOR DOES THE CAR GO INTO GEAR! I HAVE TO USE SOMETHING TO PUSH THE SHIFT LOCK DOWN SO THAT I CAN SHIFT GEARS. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN UNIVERSAL ISSUE AROUND THE BOARD ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT FORUMS. NOW THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSE SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITHIN MY VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO KIA AND AT SOME POINT I'M SURE THIS IS ISN'T THE FIRST THEY HAVE HEARD OF THIS BECAUSE THEY KEEP SAYING WELL YOUR VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE ANY RECALLS. OKAY I UNDERSTAND BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE EXACT SAME THATS HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO PREVIOUS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL BREAKLIGHT ISSUES. IT'S FAR TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND IF YOUR VEHICLE ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE, KIA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT OR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT! IF IT WALKS LIKE A DUCK....QUACKS LIKE A DUCK....IT'S A DUCK...PLAIN AND SIMPLE! I FEEL THIS IS NEGLECT AND IT'S PUTTING CONSUMERS LIVES AT RISK.
THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE NEED REPLACING EVERY FEW WEEKS ALONG WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL NOT DISENGAGING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND GEAR SHIFT DOES NOT ENGAGE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL LIGHT WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHT CONTROL IS IN THE OFF POSITION BUT WHEN THE CAR IS ON AND LIGHTS HAVE BEEN TURNED ON, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT. WHEN IT FIRST BEGAN HAPPENING THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO EARNHARDT KIA IN PHOENIX AND THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LIGHTING SYSTEM OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IN THE COURSE OF THREE YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN 12-15 LIGHTBULBS REPLACED INCLUDING A HEADLAMP.
AT VEHICLE START - GAUGES ON DASH DID NOT WORK AND SHIFT LOCK WAS ENGAGED. UNABLE TO SHIFT VIA SHIFT RELEASE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. *TR *JS
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026