10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,413 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #12

Jan 292024

Forte

  • miles
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.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #11

Dec 062022

Forte

  • miles
No accident to report. This will will be my second time replacing suspension springs and brake light assembly. I have reason to believe that the 2013 Kia Forte EX model has a recall on these item because my car isn't the only vehicle in for these exact issues. I wish to have these investigated because this is becoming most costly than expected.

- Magnolia, TX, USA

problem #10

May 052022

Forte

  • miles
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.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #9

Mar 052019

Forte

  • miles
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!

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #8

Nov 232020

Forte

  • miles
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.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #7

Oct 132020

Forte

  • miles
I have owned my vehicle for approximately 6 years. Since 2017, I have started having an issue with the driver's brake light burning out. At the first sign of trouble and multiple replacements within a 4 month period, I took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer recommended replacing the entire taillight assembly. The replacement service was completed and the issue was fine for about 1 year. In 2018, I began having issues with the brake light again for the left and right. It started with needing to replace the lights every quarter. Now, I replace the brake lights at least every 1-4 weeks. The light either has become so hot and blown out, or when I hit a slight bump in the road -- the light dislodges. I have taken the vehicle to the dealer and they have surmised that the issue is not related to electrical wiring, but they believe the socket is not holding the bulb snugly to retain lighting. This is a major safety issue due to the inability for other drivers to know that I am braking. There was one instance that both brake lights went out at night. As a result, I carry a spare packet of taillight bulbs in my vehicle at all times. I intend to return to the dealership on 10/15/2020 to request another repair to the light and to purchase a new taillight assembly. I have taken care of the vehicle ensuring service is completed in a timely fashion. This has been the only negative experience with the vehicle, but it is a crucial issue as it puts my life and others' lives in danger. This is not a new issue with the 2013-2014 Kia Forte. This is a common issue in forums. Yet, there is no recall.

- Pace, FL, USA

problem #6

Feb 082019

Forte

  • 65,300 miles
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.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #5

Dec 312017

Forte

  • 82,000 miles
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.

- Albuqeurque, NM, USA

problem #4

Nov 282017

Forte

  • miles
Rear brake light bulbs keep burning out. Found a recall for the switch. I brought it in to local repair shop and they say it's the switch. Called Kia customer rep and they said there is a recall but it does not apply to my Kia Forte. Not good! I have a Kia and a Hyundai. Having issues with the Hyundai as well. These are both 2013 models and I expected more. I will not be buying these cars again since they have ongoing issues and the company does not stand behind their product for items that should not wear out in 4 years. Very poor quality.

- Cuming, GA, USA

problem #3

Oct 012017

Forte

  • miles
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.

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

problem #2

Jul 152014

Forte

  • 75,365 miles
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.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #1

Sep 112017

Forte

  • 46,294 miles
Right brake light was out took car to midas to have bulb replaced, where the melted light socket was discovered. Took car Kia dealership the same day 9/11/2017 to find out if there was a recall on this item and was informed there was not. The Kia advisor jack told me that they where able to replace the bulb but had to get approval to replace the whole socket. On 9/12 I was informed that dpsm denied the request to cover the part. Pictures sent to dpsm by Kia dealership.

- Independence, MO, USA