Closest available photo (2014 model year); you're viewing the 2013.
Overview
- Body
- Midsize CarsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Transmission
- Manual 6-spdEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Powertrain
- GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Fuel
- RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Engine & performance
- HP
- 173
- Power to weight
- 0.062 hp/lb
- Axle ratio
- 2.96
- Cyl
- 4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Start-stop system
- NoEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Efficiency
- MPG Hwy
- 31 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- MPG City
- 22 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- MPG Comb
- 26 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Fuel $/yr
- $2,400EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- CO₂
- 348 g/miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Eco Score
- 7/10EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Smog score
- 5/10
- Elec. Range
- 0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- SmartWay certified
- Yes
Dimensions & capacity
- Length
- 176 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Width
- 70 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Height
- 57 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Wheelbase
- 104 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Curb Weight
- 2,800 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Pass. Vol
- 97 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
- Cargo Vol
- 15 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Safety NHTSA, model year
⚠ This model year has a recall advising owners to park outside or away from structures (fire risk). Check with the manufacturer.
- Overall crash rating
- ★★★★★
- Rollover rating
- ★★★★★
- Stability control (ESC)
- Standard
- Forward-collision warning
- No
- Lane-departure warning
- No
- Recalls
- 5
- Owner complaints
- 195
- Reported injuries
- 17
- Theft rate
- 2.0 per 1,000 produced (CY 2013 federal data)
Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year
- ENGINE39%
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9%
- SERVICE BRAKES9%
- AIR BAGS6%
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING5%
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC5%
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 272 total.
Kia Forte: best and worst yearsFederal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year
AQ23002Openopened Nov 17, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
DP22003opened Sep 12, 2022ENGINE
Loss of Motive Power
EA21003opened Dec 22, 2021ENGINE
Engine Fires
EA19001opened Apr 19, 2019AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
Electrical overstress
PE18003opened Mar 16, 2018SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
Air bags may be disabled during crash
Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year
68 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year
Dec 19, 2025STRUCTURE:BODYCS2311_OWNR_PC201
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. Kia has developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade and can be installed at the ignition cylinder location to provide additional protection against the social media theft method. Prior notifications stated that this modification had to be performed by July 1, 2025, but the subject vehic
Dec 9, 2025BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGSPS797
PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal transmission and reception times between the vehicle (ultrasonic sensor) and an object. The membrane film of the ultrasonic sensor is used for object detention and can be damaged by stone chips or for
Apr 17, 2025POWER TRAINTSB_TRA046_R5
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.
Nov 7, 2024ENGINEPI2002YZ_TSB_R3
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (PI2002A, PI2002B and SC200**1) titled “Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement”. Specifically, this bulletin pro
Oct 18, 2024STEERINGCS2311_TSB_R3
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrat
May 16, 2024POWER TRAINTSB_TRA046_R4
This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
Feb 22, 2024STRUCTURECS2311_TSB_R2
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrat
Dec 20, 2023STRUCTURECS2311A_OWNRTD
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia now has an additional vehicle modification available for installation to help deter or thwart attempted thefts. This modification consists of a theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and will be available to you free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of this letter.
- and 60 more
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
Warranty manufacturer terms, by make
- Basic
- 5 yr / 60k mi
- Powertrain
- 10 yr / 100k mi
- Roadside assistance
- 5 yr / 60k mi
- EV battery
- 10 yr / 100k mi
Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.