2013 Kia FORTE KOUP: complaints, problems and recalls

ON 10/13/17, MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FL TURNPIKE FROM COLLEGE WHEN HIS ENGINE SEIZED. LUCKY HE WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. HAD CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA ORLANDO W DEALER, FOUND OUT THE ENGINE ROD WAS BLOWN THROUGH TOP AND BOTTOM OF BLOCK. ENGINE WAS REPLACED WITH A SHORT BLOCK AND REUSED PARTS. DURING TEST DRIVE CAR STALLED DUE TO A TIMING CHAIN FAILING. REPLACED TIMING CHAIN, THEN THE IGNITION COIL WENT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. NEXT, THE CAR BEGAN TO MISFIRE AND THEY REPLACE ALL 4 FUEL INJECTORS. THEN TOLD CYLINDER 2 FAILED T…

Owner-reported narrative. 57,971 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052835 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA FORTE KOUP. WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED FOR THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,039.

Owner-reported narrative. 76,039 miles reported. Look up ODI 11055211 at NHTSA ↗

WE BOUGHT THIS 2013 KIA FORTE KOUP IN OCTOBER 2014. IT HAD 29,000 MILES ON IT. WE HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY AND ON SCHEDULE. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM COLLEGE ON DECEMBER 19, 2017 AND HER CAR STARTED SMOKING, SHAKING AND LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CAR HAD 73,405 MILES ON IT. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED AT MY EXPENSE BACK TO OUR DEALERSHIP IN LUFKIN, TX, I RESEARCHED WHAT SHE DESCRIBED AND IT WAS IDENTICAL TO THE ENGINE FAILURES EXPERIENCED BY THE KIA OPTIMAS AND SORENTOS THAT WERE RECALLED. AFTER CONSULTATION WITH…

Owner-reported narrative. 73,405 miles reported. Look up ODI 11103921 at NHTSA ↗

ON TUESDAY JUNE 26TH, 2018 I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON THE INTERSTATE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING, MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, I LOST ALL POWER, STEERING AND BRAKES BUT LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. CAR WOULDN'T START BACK AT ALL. I KEEP MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 4,000 MILES AND HAVEN'T EVER HAD AN ISSUE. THE ENGINE WASN'T KNOCKING OR MADE ANY LOUD NOISE WHEN IT HAPPENED. AND THE OIL WAS STILL ON THE FULL MARK. AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THE SAME EXACT ENGINES HAVE BEEN RECALLE…

Owner-reported narrative. 114,854 miles reported. Look up ODI 11109521 at NHTSA ↗

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. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, SMOKE PROCEEDED TO POUR OUT OF THE ENGINE HOOD AROUND THE HEAD GASKET. SMELL OF BURNING FILLED THE CABIN. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS HAPPENING ON OTHER MODELS BUT A RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE MY MODEL. EN…

Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11109698 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 KIA FORTE KOUP UP AN ON-RAMP TO THE MAIN BRIDGE, GOING ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE ENGINE KILLED SUDDENLY. THE CAR HAS 56,000 MILES ON IT, AND I TAKE PHENOMENAL CARE OF IT (REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE). I HAD IT TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY, MAY 25, AND IT'S BEEN SITTING ON THE LOT COMPLETELY UNTOUCHED EVER SINCE. TODAY IS DAY 46 OF KIA GIVING ME THE RUNAROUND. NEVER AGAIN WILL I PURCHASE THEIR CARS.

Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11110664 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA FORTE KOUP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V363000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LIFETIME KIA (4170 E U.S. HWY 64 ALT, MURPHY, NORTH CAROLINA 28906) WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD RECEIVE A SECOND LETTER ONCE THE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE A…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11120085 at NHTSA ↗

BACK IN JUNE 2018, I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE, RUNNING ABOUT 75 AND HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A FLAPPING NOISE THEN ALL THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR STALLED. HAD TO GET IT TOWED BACK HOME. COME TO FIND OUT THE MOTOR HAD SEIZED UP. I'VE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE 2.4 ENGINE IN THE KIA'S BUT NONE HAVE MADE IT TO THE RECALL LIST WHEN THEY ARE DOING THE SAME THING THAT THE MOTORS IN THE OPTIMAS, SORENTO AND SPORTAGE. HOW IS THE FORTE ANY DIFFERENT WHEN THEY HAVE THE SAME MOTOR. FOUND A USED MOTOR OUT OF A 2013 KIA FORTE K…

Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11130879 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-12-01 (December 1, 2017)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2018-06-01 (June 1, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2020-12-02 (December 2, 2020)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2023-09-25 (September 25, 2023)

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.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.