2013 Kia Forte: engine stalls while driving

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Engine · 139,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the piston rings had failed, causing catastrophic engine damages. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 139,000.

Filed Jun 7, 2024 · Brakes · 32,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted and taken to a dealer. The dealer was not able to diagnose the vehicle; however, an unknown software update was performed, and it was confirmed that parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed May 18, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · MO

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

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 Feb 16, 2023 · Engine · 136,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was unaware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.

Filed Jun 8, 2021 · Engine · 85,400 miles · CT · fire

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 10 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact parked the vehicle and saw smoke entering the cabin of the vehicle through the vents. The contact exited the vehicle before the vehicle caught on fire. There was no injury sustained. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. A police report was not filed. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The contact called local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 85,400.

Filed Jan 14, 2021 · Engine · 133,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal noise appeared as the engine warning light illuminated. The contact managed to drive the vehicle back to his residence where the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to ferguson kia (1501 n elm place, broken arrow, ok 74012, (918) 258-1800) where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact mentioned the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v750000 (engine)as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

Filed Feb 25, 2020 · Engine · 87,494 miles · CO

I was driving to work on a single lane highway, and heard faint ticking/knocking sounds from the engine. The highway speed was 65mph. After a couple minutes, the faint ticks grew into hard knocks and harsh rattles as I cleared the top of a hill. I ended up coasting to the shoulder because my engine abruptly lost power and tried stalling. Since I knew my brake system operated with vacuum assist, I tapped the gas pedal to keep the engine running and had to double foot the pedals to brake and keep the engine from stalling. After I stopped on the shoulder, the engine finally died while rattling even harder. I tried starting the engine again, and it did start, still rattling and knocking, so I shut it off. The engine hadn't yet seized up. I took it to the dealer I bought it from, per my extended warranty (non-kia dealer). They were happy to help, but recommended talking to kia as a first step. I did so, and they did offer to tow my car to their own dealership, no charge to me, so they could inspect the damage. I was told they would see what could be done about potentially getting kia motors to replace the engine if needed, on them, free to me. This dealership is one of two in my city, and they are the nicer of the two in terms of customer relations. I have dealt with each dealer for various reasons over the years, and that has been my consensus. I will be waiting to see what comes of this issue, but these cars that came with the 2.4 engine need to be added to hyundai/kia's 2.4 engine recall instead of ignored.

Filed Oct 2, 2019 · Engine · 130,000 miles · OK

While driving my car from a football game, it completely stopped running. I had the car towed home the next day. Once home the car started back up as if nothing happened. About a week later the engine started having a terrible knocking noise. A mechanic replaced rod & bearing, but the car still has issues with stalling and knocking noise. It has been parked for almost 2 years while I continue to make car payments. My oil and other fluids were always changed regularly. I was outside my warrenty and am just stuck with this car with a bad engine. I would replace the engine, but am afraid that it is a defect in manufacturing.

Filed Apr 2, 2019 · Engine · 62,000 miles · TN

I was driving home like usual not even a week after my regular oil change and as I was pulling up a small hill close to my apartment my engine sputtered, backfired and stalled. I lost all power steering and brakes at this point. I put the car in neutral and coasted to a stop. After some troubleshooting I finally got the car to turn over and the engine immediately started knocking very loudly. It is clearly unsafe to drive at this point and an obvious manufacturers defect. The car is at 62,000 miles and the warranty is good to 100,000 miles. I have seen dozens of complaints about this model of car worth the same issue and hundreds of complaints with other models using the same engine. It is quite an issue to take care of monetarily for the customers of kia and should be investigated further.

Filed Apr 9, 2018 · Engine · 68,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia forte. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost steering and braking ability. The contact coasted the vehicle into an empty parking lot and had it towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

Filed Feb 24, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 50,000 miles · IL

This is the 2nd engine replacement I have had to do in a 2013 car. Driving 60mph without warning car stalled and I was forced to coax to the side of rural country road, in the middle of extreme cold weather the 2nd time. The 1st time I was driving the car abfter just getting oil changed and car made a loud noise and car stalled while driving on interstate at 70mph. Car was towed and engine was blown each time. I have contacted kia on both occasions and on both occasions car was sent to dealership and could not figure out why engine blew. Oil levels where found good. This is ridiculous that I have had two replace 2 engines in a 2013 kia which is financed and kia refuses to do anything about it. I have receipts as well as reports done on car each time this occurred. However they are in glovebox of car at garage getting a new engine!