Recall 16V312 affects 5,245 2013 Kia Forte vehicles for loose front seatbelt retractor plate screws. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 5,245 2013 Forte vehicles because screws for the front seatbelt retractor retaining plates were not properly tightened. If a plate breaks in a crash, pieces can strike occupants and increase injury risk; Kia dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front seat belt retractor on the 2013 Kia Forte is the spring-loaded unit that lets the belt pull out, lock, and retract against the seat pillar. A retaining plate holds that retractor assembly in position so the belt can stay anchored when the vehicle stops hard or is in a crash.
On affected Fortes, the screws that hold the retractor retaining plate were not tightened correctly. Kia traced the problem to a supplier machining error in the screw threads, which kept the screws from securing the plate as designed. If the vehicle is in a crash, the loose retaining plate can break instead of holding the retractor in place.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat belt can look and feel normal during everyday use, because the problem is inside the retractor mounting hardware and shows up under crash loads.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Kia Forte | seat belt |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 5,245 |
Not every 2013 Kia Forte is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A retaining plate that breaks during a crash can send plate pieces toward occupants and increase the risk of injury. The defect involves the front seatbelt assemblies, so the owner action is a dealer inspection and replacement if needed. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Kia Forte is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free inspection and front seatbelt assembly replacement that addresses the loose retractor retaining-plate screws.
- Bring any Kia recall notice you received. If not, reference recall number 16V312 when you call.
- Keep the dealer appointment even if the seat belts latch normally; Kia still needs to inspect the retractor retaining plates.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician inspects both front seatbelt assemblies and replaces the assemblies as needed. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. If you've already paid for a related seatbelt repair, Kia's general reimbursement plan covers repair expenses already incurred. Keep your repair paperwork and ask Kia customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit documentation for reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 17, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 27, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| June 27, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 30, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 1, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V312?
Recall 16V312 covers 5,245 2013 Kia Forte vehicles with front seatbelt retractor retaining plate screws that were not tightened properly. In a crash, a retaining plate can break and send pieces toward occupants, increasing injury risk. Kia dealers will inspect and replace both front seatbelt assemblies for free when needed.
What should I do if my 2013 Kia Forte is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Forte is included in recall 16V312. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the front seatbelt inspection and repair. Reference recall number 16V312 and Kia recall number SC132 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Kia will inspect and replace both front seatbelt assemblies free of charge when needed. The repair is handled through a franchised Kia dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is injury during a crash. If a front seatbelt retractor retaining plate breaks, pieces of the plate can strike occupants. The repair path is clear: have a Kia dealer inspect the front seatbelt assemblies and replace them for free when needed.
When did Kia notify owners about recall 16V312?
Kia began the recall on July 1, 2016. If you bought the Forte used or never received the original notice, the VIN still decides whether your vehicle is included. Check your VIN, then call a Kia dealer if recall 16V312 is open for your vehicle.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V312000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V312 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V312000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →