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2013 KIA Forte

5 recalls Risk Grade: A- Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #23V652000 NHTSA Official Language
Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
What Happened
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.
Risk if Unfixed
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Free Fix
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #20V750000 NHTSA Official Language
Component

ENGINE

Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
What Happened
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 if Unfixed
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Free Fix
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #17V773000 NHTSA Official Language
Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
What Happened
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.
Risk if Unfixed
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.
Free Fix
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #18V363000 NHTSA Official Language
Component

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
What Happened
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.
Risk if Unfixed
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.
Free Fix
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #16V312000 Plain English
Component

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
What Happened
Your 2013 Forte's front seatbelt retractor screws might not have been tightened properly, which could cause the retaining plates to break in a crash.
Risk if Unfixed
If a retaining plate breaks during a crash, it could send sharp pieces flying towards you, increasing your risk of injury.
Free Fix
Kia will fix this for free by inspecting and replacing your front seatbelt assemblies if needed, and you'll be notified when it's time to bring your vehicle in.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2013 Forte vehicles manufactured September 10, 2012, to October 31, 2012. The screws that hold the front seatbelt retractor retaining plates may not have been properly tightened, and as a result, the seatbelt retractor retaining plates may break in a crash.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If a retaining plate breaks during a crash, pieces of the plate could strike the occupants, increasing risk of injury.
Original — Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace both front seatbelt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. The recall began July 1, 2016. Kia's number for this recall is SC132.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

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