2023 Kia Forte problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Kia Forte, most often about steering. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 64
Recalls: 3
Crashes: 11
Fires: 4
Injuries: 5
Median mileage: 27,500 mi

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners not to drive it until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

Steering is the most-reported problem area, named in 15 of 64 complaints (23%).
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (15) and electrical system (10) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 27,500 mi.
Owners reported 11 crashes, 4 fires and 5 injuries.
The 2023 Kia Forte has 3 recalls on file, including at least one “do not drive” warning.
It ranks 9th of 15 Kia Forte model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 129% more complaints than the 2022 model year (28).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Steering	15
Electrical system	10
Engine	9
Forward collision avoidance: warnings	8
Unknown or other	8
Suspension	8
Power train	7
Air bags	5

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2023 Kia Forte complaints that list mileage.

2023 Kia Forte recalls (3)

Recall 24V244000Apr 1, 2024215 vehiclesDo not drive
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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.
Risk: 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.
Recall 23V649000Sep 22, 20233,866 vehiclesDo not drive
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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.
Risk: 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.
Recall 22V906000Dec 8, 2022939 vehicles
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
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.
Risk: 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.

Recent 2023 Kia Forte complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Oct 6, 2026600 miNYSteering
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loose and was difficult to turn. Due to the failure, the vehicle unexpectedly swayed from left to right. The contact stated that the vehicle felt as if it was floating on water. The vehicle was taken to several dealers but was not diagnosed. The dealer stated that the failure might be associated with a…
NHTSA complaint #11769303 · source
Filed Sep 28, 2026GABrakes
While car was rolling in reverse, breaks got stiff and driver had to use excessive force to get car to stop. Battery warning came on when pushing hard on the breaks. Then got the car in park, reved the gas to make sure the car was on which it was. Drove it to a parking spot and the car was giving me signal shift to P. No accident occurred. Turned the car off. Car was driven home and all was fine. Vehicle was towed to Kia dealer and they kept it 5 days and could not find any…
NHTSA complaint #11767544 · source
Filed Sep 21, 2026UTDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
Four times, my 2023 Kia forte has went into limp mode. Three times accelerating onto the freeway, the blindspot/anticollision (BCA) system reset. This put the vehicle in limp mode and it deaccelerated to 3 mph. I had to pull over and restart the car. The other time, I was turning right at an intersection. After the light turned green, the system reset again. I had the AGM battery replaced after the second time, but the BCA system continued to reset and the car went into limp…
NHTSA complaint #11765968 · source
Filed Sep 6, 2026WVCrashTowedSteeringSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain
Unknown. During a basic collision Avoidance maneuver performed by myself on the highway at speed of aprox 60MPH the steering suddenly became non-responsive, resulting in my inability to maintain directional control and cause a collision. The vehicle continued traveling before coming to its final resting position. During this sequence, the driver-side front suspension assembly sustained a catastrophic separation before the impact The steering knuckle was no longer attached to…
NHTSA complaint #11762477 · source
Filed Aug 24, 2026AZElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
Electrical system failed while operating vehicle on major highway. All lights flashed, system shut off, power steering locked up.
NHTSA complaint #11759219 · source
Filed Aug 9, 2026CASuspension
The right front lower control arm has completely broken/fractured during operation. Kia has previously issued safety recalls SC283 (NHTSA 23V649) and SC306 (NHTSA 24V244) for this exact vehicle model year due to improperly manufactured right front lower control arms that can crack and fail. My vehicle was manufactured in March 2023 (03/23), which is just prior to the official April 12, 2023 recall window. Because the component suffered the precise, catastrophic structural…
NHTSA complaint #11755764 · source
Filed Aug 6, 2026CAOther / Unknown
The A/C compressor field coil assembly failed on my 2023 Kia Forte. The air conditioning system is completely inoperative. The vehicle is currently [at my residence / at the dealership - specify location] and the component is available for inspection upon request. 1 This is a documented issue. Kia issued Technical Service Bulletin #048 (Revision TSB_CLI048_R1, dated November 18, 2022) for 2019–2023 Kia Forte models, which specifically identifies a defective A/C compressor…
NHTSA complaint #11755162 · source
Filed Jul 24, 202649,000 miKSTowedEngine
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal knocking sounds. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle later lost motive power while driving with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that…
NHTSA complaint #11752655 · source

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Other 2023 Kia models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology