2023 Kia Forte
3 recalls · 53 complaints · Safety Score D
Recall History
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.
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.
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.
Recent Complaints
| Date | Component | Description | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/30/2026 | Electrical System,engine,fuel/Propulsion System | I am reporting a serious and ongoing safety issue involving my 2023 Kia Forte GT. The vehicle has experienced persistent... | No | No |
| 03/24/2026 | Unknown or Other,engine | My son, [XXX] , has opened a complaint/Case #XXX with Kia. His 2023 KIA Forte had been idle for at least 24 hours when t... | No | Yes |
| 03/14/2026 | Unknown or Other | Backing out of a driveway that had a mud hole. Car got turned and stuck in the mud. We were trying to push it out and th... | No | Yes |
| 02/18/2026 | Air Bags | My son was in a car accident in my car January 1 at none of the Air bags went off. Not one there is a police report and ... | Yes | No |
| 01/07/2026 | Steering,unknown or Other | Unknown Concerning the front passenger steering component. Carfax showed prior accident with minor damage to the front ... | Yes | No |
| 12/30/2025 | Electrical System | My low beam headlights seem to burn out at an unusually high rate. Multiple times per year, and this is much higher than... | No | No |
| 12/04/2025 | 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 ... | Yes | Yes |
| 10/06/2025 | 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 was... | No | No |
| 09/29/2025 | Power Train | The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadverten... | No | No |
| 08/27/2025 | Electrical System,service Brakes | Summary: Unintended full brake engagement at highway speeds caused by electronic parking brake/Auto Hold button defect. ... | No | No |
Most Complained-About Components
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2023 Kia Forte has 3 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA. Total complaints filed: 53.
The 2023 Kia Forte has a Safety Score of 26/100 (Grade D). This score factors in recall severity (40%), complaint frequency (30%), crash and fire reports (20%), and trend direction (10%).
The 2023 Kia Forte received a Safety Score of D. This vehicle has a below-average safety record — review the specific recalls and complaints below. There are 8 crash reports on file. There are 4 fire reports.
Contact your nearest Kia dealership to schedule a free recall repair. You can also check your specific vehicle by VIN at NHTSA.gov. Manufacturers are required by law to fix recall-related defects at no cost.
Safety Score is calculated from recall severity (40%), complaint frequency (30%), crash/fire reports (20%), and safety trend (10%).