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Electrical systemPart report

2013 Kia Forte Electrical system Problems

Complaints
25about this part
Share
13%of 195 total for the year
Median mileage
74,682miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Kia Forte, 13% of the 195 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,682 miles. 7 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My Kia went on fire and I was never notified by Kia, I found out from carfax and set up appointment to have this recall fixed and found out there was 2 recalls. Set up the appt for saturday, while my car was parked and off I ran into the store came out and my car was on fire all of the dashboard all behind it. My car was totaled by insurance. 2 days after my car goes on fire I am suddenly getting red emergency recall notices in the mail. Dealership will not speak with me, the Kia consumer assistance gave me a case number but has done nothing in over 2 weeks. …”

NHTSA complaint #11398959, filed 2021-03, 74,000 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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11176076, filed 2019-02, 65,300 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11071588, filed 2018-02, 82,000 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11035851, filed 2017-10, 75,365 miles

“At vehicle start - gauges on dash did not work and shift lock was engaged. Unable to shift via shift release. After several attempts the problem resolved.”

NHTSA complaint #10475215, filed 2012-09, 8 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024623%
20231117%
2022311%
2021812%
20201114%
20192315%
20181612%
20174715%
20162216%
20152911%
20145713%
20132513%
20123211%
20111610%
2010199%

Other parts of the 2013 Kia Forte

Engine
107 complaintsBrakes
37 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Kia Forte

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology