2023 KIA Forte

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

The 2023 Kia Forte has notable concerns due to multiple recalls involving critical components like the steering and suspension. Given the peak failure mileage around 21,372 miles, these issues could pose significant risks to safety, especially for children in the back seat.

Key Factor:Critical suspension and steering flaws

📋Why This Matters

The safety of passengers should always be a top priority, particularly for those transporting children in the back seat. The defects related to the steering knuckle and control arms are alarming; a failure here could lead to a complete loss of control while driving. Such vulnerabilities not only compromise the integrity of the vehicle but also endanger everyone inside it, heightening the need for immediate attention from current owners and potential buyers alike.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis

  • 📈
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Warning
  • ⚖️
    Vs Brand: Worse than avg (1.9)
    📝
    Summary: The year-over-year trend for the 2023 Kia Forte reveals a concerning shift with several recalls targeting essential systems that affect overall vehicle stability. This trend is worse than expected and signals potential safety issues that warrant serious consideration when evaluating this model.

Safety & Reliability Score

69/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-24
Complaint Impact-2.35
Investigation Impact-5

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2023 KIA Forte

Model Year2023
MakeKIA
ModelForte
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Scroll for more →
Aug22
RECALLRecall Issued
Dec22
ISSUEFirst Report
Jan23
NEWProduction
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Jan24
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

17 complaints (36% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 47 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
5(11%)
🟡Medium
11(23%)
🟢Low
31(66%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

The peak failure mileage between 20k to 40k miles suggests that issues may arise relatively soon after purchase or lease. Owners should be vigilant as they approach this mileage range, ensuring all necessary inspections are performed to protect their loved ones in case of structural weaknesses or mechanical failures.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 16 of 47 complaints (34% coverage)
0-20k
6 reports (38%)
20k-40k
7 reports (44%)
40k-60k
3 reports (19%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

STEERINGSUSPENSION

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Steering and Suspension

Issue: Potential cracking of front left steering knuckle and improper welding on lower control arms can lead to loss of vehicle control.

Schedule an inspection at an authorized Kia dealership immediately to check for recall compliance.

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Inquire about any open recalls and verify service history regarding recalls before purchasing.

💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your KIA dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (3)

Campaign: 22V906000

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

Summary

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

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

Campaign: 23V649000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Summary

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

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

Campaign: 24V244000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Summary

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

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

NHTSA Investigations

1 investigation

Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2023 Forte.

INV-2023-1000🟢 Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Forte performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 26,774

Consumer Complaints

47 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2023 Forte.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning36%
Accident11%
Crash/Accident9%
Fire6%
Steering/Suspension⚠️ High
STEERING,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

My father was in a fatal vehicle accident in which the car was going very fast and then he crashed into a building. The car then started on fire. The black box was unable to be recovered to check car function. There were no medical findings

Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LANE DEPARTURE

Electrical issues since 44K miles I’m at 50 K miles. I’ve complained multiple times and they kept saying electrician wasn’t available. Then they lie about it being a waitlist for a loaner car. All the lights on the dashboard goes on and all the dealership couldn’t diagnose the problem. The second time the check engine lights went out the back up camera. They said it was the back up camera the backup camera was replaced the backup camera now messes up all the time and does not cut on when backing up randomly cut on when driving Kia issue was flashing lights, but they decided to worry about the check engine light, which was the careless converter, they fixed the careless converter And didn’t fix the flashing lights problem. They tried to say the car electrical reason was physical damage, which was false and now the electrical problems are getting worse the gear shifter license to work on the PRND the right brake light in the front and back goes in and out. I don’t know what the mileage is while driving I got a ticket from the cops because of that, the mileage randomly changes and I never know how much gas is in the car when I put in gas.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 25,000.

Electrical🔶 Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

Summary: Unintended full brake engagement at highway speeds caused by electronic parking brake/Auto Hold button defect. Extreme risk of collision. Details: On [XXX], my wife was driving our 2023 Kia Forte GT Line when the Auto Hold and electronic parking brake system malfunctioned. The system fully engaged the brakes without warning while traveling at highway speed, scraping the brake rotors and creating an immediate risk of being rear-ended. This occurred multiple times. The following day ([XXX], the brake pedal would not depress at all, rendering the vehicle undrivable. The dealership (McFarland Kia, North Hampton, NH) diagnosed “a sticky substance” inside the electronic parking brake button, located next to the cupholder. There have never been any liquid spills in this vehicle. The more likely cause is a combination of factory lubrication and normal dust/debris accumulation over time. If such a small amount of dust or residue can trigger unintended full braking while driving, it is a dangerous design flaw that poses a life-threatening hazard to drivers and passengers. The vehicle was repaired after I paid $284.99 out-of-pocket, but I am pursuing reimbursement through my Zurich Vehicle Service Contract. I have also requested an independent third-party brake and rotor inspection, as this defect may have caused further damage. Why this is a safety issue: Sudden, uncommanded braking at highway speeds can cause high-speed rear-end collisions. The defect can occur without visible warning and without any driver action. The defect can be triggered by minimal non-liquid debris, which is unavoidable over the life of a vehicle. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether this is an isolated case or part of a larger design defect in the Kia Forte’s electronic parking brake/Auto Hold system. This condition should not be possible in a vehicle that meets federal safety standards. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Safety Systems🔶 Medium
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Driving home. Unexpectedly foward collision warning came on light never turned off even after a reset was done on the car

Safety Systems🔵 Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

The front radar FCA/SCC is misdetecting vehicles in other lanes and often slams on the brakes for no reason. Other times it lights on the dash and says the system (radar detection) is off or is blocked, when it clearly is not. Kia had this same issue with the 2020, 2021, and 2022 Kia Telluride and issued TSB SC243 (with a software update). I have been to 2 different dealerships, and one had a bunch of excuses and the other dealership had no idea what i was talking about. The car was about 21 months old and millage 20,000 miles when the issue began.

Body/Interior🔵 Low
STRUCTURE

As I was driving at about 20 mph coming to a stop my passenger front door unlatched and caused the door to open and the door sensors to go off. This door was in fact locked and closed. Now I’m very scared to drive my car because if I was going faster the door could swing open and would be very dangerous to and to others.

Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
SUSPENSION

Passenger front side makes noises like something is clicking. It makes like a rattle noise too

Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
STEERING,SUSPENSION

Clunking when going over bumps especially when turning into a driveway. Started at about 20,000 miles along with excessive clicking when turning the steering wheel.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
POWER TRAIN

Catastrophic clutch pressure plate failure - while attempting to shift into gear, teeth on clutch pressure plate sheared horizontally when interacting with input shaft. No indicators appeared when failure originally occurred, only grinding sound when clutch pedal is depressed. Malfunction occurred at a stoplight leading to traffic blockage and no major safety risk. However due to nature of failure if issue occurred at speed there would have been immediate loss of power from engine to drivetrain, causing car to "coast" in effectively neutral until stopped. Vehicle has since been inspected and serviced with appropriate parts replaced by Kia certified technician at a dealer. Failure point was unable to be verified at the time and unknown if able to be replicated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common safety concerns with the 2023 Kia Forte?

The most pressing safety concerns involve defects in crucial areas such as steering and suspension. Specifically, there have been multiple recalls related to potential failures in these components which can jeopardize handling and control, posing risks particularly when carrying young passengers.

How can I ensure my child's safety in a recalled vehicle like the Kia Forte?

To ensure your child's safety, promptly address any recall notifications by contacting your dealership for repairs or inspections. Keeping abreast of all maintenance requirements is key—especially with serious defects affecting steering and suspension—before driving with young passengers.

📊Year-over-Year Context

📉Elevated Activity

Compared to earlier years, the 2023 model shows declining reliability trends, largely due to new suspension components introduced in this generation. Recall frequency increased 200% versus the 2022 version.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

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If You Own This Vehicle

  • Safety Check: Cross-reference your VIN with official KIA records to ensure no 3 recalls remain open.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in KIA's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used

  • Obtain proof of recall completion for all 3 campaigns before purchase.
  • Account for potential service downtime when calculating your initial ownership budget.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.