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2013 Kia Forte: engine failure

41 of the 195 complaints about the 2013 Kia Forte describe engine failure.

owner complaints
41
of this car's complaints
21%
typical repair cost reported
$6,500
typical mileage
70,000
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 8 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Engine failure by model year

What owners say

Filed Apr 9, 2026 · Engine · 115,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated the vehicle was unable to exceed 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the knock sensor was replaced as a temporary fix. The failure reoccurred 2 days later. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine); however, an unknown dealer attempted to charge the contact to replace the engine, even though the recall notification stated that the engine would be replaced as needed, free of charge. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but declined the service request. No further information was available. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Oct 8, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 118,150 miles · PA · fire

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte EX. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 55 MPH, she noticed smoke emerging from the vehicle. The driver pulled over and called roadside assistance. All the warning lights illuminated. Upon arrival, roadside assistance informed the driver the engine had caught fire and had seized. It was unknown how the fire was extinguished. The contact stated that the failure was due to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed him the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted, who started a claim. The manufacturer requested a photo of the engine but the contact stated that he did not have any photos. The failure mileage was approximately 118,150.

Filed Nov 20, 2023 · Engine · CO

The engine pistons seized while going slow turning a corner and brought my car to a sudden stop. There were no engine lights on before it seized and after it happened there are still no engine lights on yet it no longer can function. Essentially after the starter turns over, the engine just makes a loud clunking noise. Oil levels are full, coolant full, and with the radio off there weren't any noises coming from the car until it stopped dead in the road. My safety was at risk when it happened because at midnight after coming back from a long movie, on a dark winding road, the car seized and I couldn't get it all the way over. I was so scared a car would come around the corner and hit my car, my wife and myself while we waited. My insurance company towed the car to a repair shop and they gave me a $6500 repair bill. I called a Kia dealership, specifically the repair shop talking though the issue and next steps and they said not to bring it into the dealership because they aren't able to fix it and instead to send it to a junk yard. This issue has no warning lights, no red engine lights, no odd sounds coming from the engine, no oil leaks present prior to the engine seizing and essentially left me and my wife stranded in a dangerous situation.

Filed Nov 17, 2023 · Suspension · ND

this vehicle (2013 kia forte rides extremely rough.It sounds like the suspension has totally faild.New engine at 40000 miles. well aligned and rides well.terrible noise inside vehicle while driving on gravel roads.(very concerned) appreciate any input

Filed Sep 26, 2023 · Engine · WV

Was driving at approximately 60 MPH and heard an abnormal knocking noise sound coming from the engine compartment. The knocking noise occurred whenever the accelerator was pressed. No warning light was illuminated. Took car to mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine rod bearings needed to be replaced. Car had 205,000 miles at the time of engine failure and has been well maintained with records.

Filed Sep 1, 2023 · Engine · NJ

No warnings driving vehicle started to hear a tapping noise Park the vehicle two days later started vehicle to take to shop belt blew off in pieces car stopped locked up would not restart no warning lights no loss of anything just stopped after one day of tapping told motorized seized did contact Kia also looked up information regarding what it could be and it matches the other issues customers are having and have had with their motors yet told no recall although all same symptoms

Filed May 24, 2023 · Engine · CA

Engine started producing a knocking sound, maybe a couple weeks later experienced catastrophic Engine failure, with a portion of the engine being thrown from the bottom of the engine block.

Filed Apr 26, 2023 · Engine · TX

A summary of the issue resolved but not recognized by Kia Motors. Engine knocking. Was checked and replaced. 2013 Kia Forte EX VIN: [XXX] SEDAN 4DR 2.0L I4 F DOHC 16V GASOLINE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. Paid $4,384.00 for replacement. This engine should be added to the federal safety agency Part 573 Safety Recall Report 20V‑750 - vehicle 4. But it is not, WHY?!?!?! Same vehicle as 2014 model and that engine (2.0L) is on the recall report. Same engine and same problem but the federal safety agency did not include my model engine. Please reconsider and add this engine to the recall report. Kia will not fully acknowledge fault for these engine failures. I have reported this to Kia Motors and they closed my case as unresolved because no recall was reported. Case # [XXX] submitted 2/12/2019. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Mar 24, 2023 · Engine · 140,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the RPMs started to fall, and the vehicle began to stall. The vehicle failed to shift to the intended gear. The RPMs dropped to 0. The contact was able to get the vehicle to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic and was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer denied the engine replacement despite the remedy stated that the engine would be replaced if deemed necessary. The dealer stated that the ECU update was needed prior to the engine failure. The manufacturer confirmed that the engine should be replaced and referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The dealer declined to replace the engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the issues regarding the dealer. The manufacturer confirmed that the ECU needed to be updated first. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Jan 23, 2023 · Engine · PA

1. The engine failed and is available for inspection upon request. 2. The car died in the middle of an interstate, I could have been rear ended putting the safety of myself and others in jeopardy. 3. As attached, an independent service center confirmed that the oil light was on, but there was oil in the car. They couldn’t find the problem. 4. The vehicle was inspected by an independent service center. 5. The oil warning lamp illuminated about 5 minutes prior to engine failure. The engine had been making knocking noises for at least 5 years. I asked mechanics multiple times to see if there was an issue with the engine because it would make so much noise but every time they came back and said they couldn’t find a problem. The engine had quit around 9/20/21 and Paul’s garage said there was a clog in the lines so they did a crankcase flush and the car was up and running again. Every time I took the car for maintenance after that they did a preventative crankcase flush. This time the engine died and I was told it is locked up. In the file I have uploaded there are 4 invoices from maintenance and repairs done to the car that I feel might relate to the issue.

Filed Nov 21, 2022 · Engine · DC

Constituent has experienced a total engine failure with their 2013 kia forte and would like to know why their vehicle is not included in the kia engine safety recall

Filed May 6, 2022 · Engine, Lights · OR

Engine had loud rattling and seized, was suppose to have long block and short block replaced. Only short block replaced paid $7,441.53. After three months of it being in the dealership, I got my car back. Less than twenty four hours later the check engine light came on. Brought it back, it is the same issues. component in engine that was suppose to be new part failed. It is back at the dealership. The right tail light keeps blowing lights. The component melted the tail light holder.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

EngineReported December 2, 2020 · 294,756 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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. 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.

Recall number 20V750000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2013 Kia Forte engine failure

Is engine failure a common problem on the 2013 Kia Forte?

41 of 195 owner complaints about the 2013 Kia Forte (21%) mention engine failure. The model year with the most reports is 2014.

How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the 2013 Kia Forte?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $6,500 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Kia Forte?

There is 1 recall and 8 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2013 Kia Forte

Knocking 48Check engine light 21Stalling 15Fire or smoke 13Loss of power 12No deployment 9Won't start 7

All model years of the Kia Forte

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