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2023 Kia Forte

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2023 Kia Forte do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 141.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 7 of 61 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports4 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

61 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2024
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure

My safety system keeps malfunctioning. I am unable to use safety features, blinkers, hazards and gauges of speed, gas and rpm go to zero. I have taken my car several time to the Kia dealership in Arlington Texas and they keep giving me the run around with my concern. They say that don't have codes that validate a problem. I have…

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My safety system keeps malfunctioning. I am unable to use safety features, blinkers, hazards and gauges of speed, gas and rpm go to zero. I have taken my car several time to the Kia dealership in Arlington Texas and they keep giving me the run around with my concern. They say that don't have codes that validate a problem. I have shown them video and pictures of what happens and they refuse to help me. My complete dash will light up and all my warning signs are in and blinking and bell is going off. Systems of failure had been taking place for a year now and I don't know what else to do. I had a recall done on my new car at the location and since then I e been dealing with this safety issue.

NHTSA ODI #11607585

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2024
SteeringSuspension

2023 Kia Forte LXS drives unsteady requiring continuous correction of Steering: feels excessive bumpiness/bounciness in the front end with subtle abnormal sideways movement (as if drifting away or swaying). It also feels the vehicle has subtle but sudden shaky movements and looseness in the wheel leading up to steering but no vi…

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2023 Kia Forte LXS drives unsteady requiring continuous correction of Steering: feels excessive bumpiness/bounciness in the front end with subtle abnormal sideways movement (as if drifting away or swaying). It also feels the vehicle has subtle but sudden shaky movements and looseness in the wheel leading up to steering but no vibration. This is felt at both slow speed and highway speed. Dealership Service Dept. has already checked the wheels alignment, balancing and suspension, and found them to be okay. To me, the symptoms suggest faulty Steering System such as Steering linkage or steering column. However Dealership now refuses to acknowledge the issue calling it a normal function of the vehicle. Every time I drive the vehicle, it feels unsafe. Dealership also does not accept my requests to investigate the steering system. In fact they shut the door at my face.

NHTSA ODI #11604411

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2024
Suspension

My brand new 2023 Kia Forte LXS (Koa the Kia)'s lower right control arm is completely broken, the rack & pinion inner tie rod end is bent, as well has damage to bottom coverage panel, right side rims scratches and scratched under bumper paint from collapse. In March of 2024, the vehicle completely collapsed on the road, and felt…

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My brand new 2023 Kia Forte LXS (Koa the Kia)'s lower right control arm is completely broken, the rack & pinion inner tie rod end is bent, as well has damage to bottom coverage panel, right side rims scratches and scratched under bumper paint from collapse. In March of 2024, the vehicle completely collapsed on the road, and felt like the car was dangerously floating. By the good grace of God, my children and I made it home safely. I was not aware of how tremendous the damages were, until MaxCare directed me to have a tow company transport my new vehicle to a manufacturer, Ed Voles Kia in Atlanta, GA, where the right tire was completely disconnected from the vehicle. Ed Voyles Kia has had the vehicle since the collapse, and has been inspected with an invoice for future references. The vehicle would make loud popping noises, depending on the steering wheels position while operating the vehicle. I took it upon myself to get the issue checked out in Little Rock, AR at Landers Kia in February 2024, personally thinking it was the brakes (though just purchased). Other than unappealing noises, and a floating feeling while driving, there were no other warnings to anticipate such a grueling tragedy.

NHTSA ODI #11585792

10,000 miles · Apr 25, 2024
Visibility/wiper

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed during a rainstorm, she became aware that the windshield wiper was sticking and failed to adequately clear away water from the windshield, severely reducing visibility. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the…

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The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed during a rainstorm, she became aware that the windshield wiper was sticking and failed to adequately clear away water from the windshield, severely reducing visibility. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #11585275

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2024
Steering

Car has steering issues. When driving on flat straight roads steering wheel will slightly tighten and start to pull to the right. This happens about 70% of the time. Resistance on the steering wheel is needed in order for the car not to drive off the road or into another vehicle. It is hard keep the car in the lanes at times. Ca…

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Car has steering issues. When driving on flat straight roads steering wheel will slightly tighten and start to pull to the right. This happens about 70% of the time. Resistance on the steering wheel is needed in order for the car not to drive off the road or into another vehicle. It is hard keep the car in the lanes at times. Car was kept in the shop for 4+ months and verified by the dealership that there was an alignment issue. It has had 5+ alignments. Dealerships have not fixed the issue, but are now saying the car is driving as designed. Alignment has been done by a different dealership two more times after they said, the car was driving as designed. There are recalls on this car for steering issues, but I was told my vin is not associated.

NHTSA ODI #11584649

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion System

The check engine light turned on when starting the car. The car was shaking and running rough. The car was towed to the dealership and cylinder misfire was detected. Since the car is less than a year old and around 6000 miles, this needs to be addressed by the company. This accident happening while the car was on the road could …

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The check engine light turned on when starting the car. The car was shaking and running rough. The car was towed to the dealership and cylinder misfire was detected. Since the car is less than a year old and around 6000 miles, this needs to be addressed by the company. This accident happening while the car was on the road could have caused serious injuries and concerns.

NHTSA ODI #11582803

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2024
SteeringSuspension

Front lower control arm recalled since September 2023. As of April 2024 recall not remedied dispite multiple visits to the dealership and contacting Kia directly.

NHTSA ODI #11581484

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or OtherInjury

Auto Emergency Breaking & Forward Collision Warning: Yes it available for inspection ASAP My safety was risk, while driving on the freeway I was staying in my lane driving and all of a sudden it said Forward Collision: warning when passing a vehicle that was driving in the next lane to the right , then immediately the auto …

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Auto Emergency Breaking & Forward Collision Warning: Yes it available for inspection ASAP My safety was risk, while driving on the freeway I was staying in my lane driving and all of a sudden it said Forward Collision: warning when passing a vehicle that was driving in the next lane to the right , then immediately the auto emergency brakes turned on and once it did that I had trouble with steering the vehicle it felt as if it was pulling me to the right lane where the vehicle next to me was driving. Then following moments when stepping on gas peddle it vibrates, puts the other driver at risk if we crashed due to the malfunction.

NHTSA ODI #11575453

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine

Driving down the road and the car will quit running and will take 20-30 for it to start again and now won’t start at all and it quit running while driving at Hyway speeds 10 times and could have been hit by other vehicles

NHTSA ODI #11571337

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

My 2023 Kia Forte keeps automatically braking and coming to a complete stop when pulling out of a parking space. It does it in drive and in reverse. On January 4, 2024 I was pulling out of a parking spot on the road and when my front end was completely in the road the car came to a complete stop and I came very close to causing …

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My 2023 Kia Forte keeps automatically braking and coming to a complete stop when pulling out of a parking space. It does it in drive and in reverse. On January 4, 2024 I was pulling out of a parking spot on the road and when my front end was completely in the road the car came to a complete stop and I came very close to causing a collision with another vehicle. I’ve had it to the dealership for service 4 times and they duplicated the problem on my first visit and told me they feel my car stopped because it detected a curb and their resolution was to turn off the front end collision assistance safety feature. On the 3rd visit they said my tires did not even roll because I had snow in my wheel wells and that’s why my car stops but my wheels roll I drove my car there. On January 27, 2024 I dropped my car off to another service center who as of today still has my car and they are looking into - car automatically braking/stopping - front end collision assistance failure - blind spot warning lights lighting up and car beeping while on a two lane road - and another attempt to repair back passenger window not rolling down This car is very dangerous for me and my children to ride in and dangerous for other vehicles and passengers as it automatically stops with no warning and no reason . Below I will put the first date it was in for service for these issues as I was unaware I should have wrote down each date this has happened but it has happened many times.

NHTSA ODI #11568625

Official recalls

3

24V244000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Apr 1, 2024

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC306. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 23V-649.

23V649000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Sep 22, 2023

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC283.

22V906000 · Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm

Dec 8, 2022

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front left steering knuckle may crack, which can result in a loss of steering control.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front left steering knuckle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2023. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC259.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.