Suspension: lower arm
Park It: do not driveFree remedy
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.
Research · Midsize Cars
2023 Kia ForteRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 66 owner complaints for the 2023 Kia Forte. Most complaints involve steering (15) and electrical system (11). The EPA rates it 26–34 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Combined MPG
26–34mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Apr 2024
Owner complaints
66
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$1,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Suspension: lower arm
Park It: do not driveFree remedy
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.
Steering: arm
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
66 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2022 – Oct 2026
- Steering15
- Electrical system11
- Forward collision avoidance10
- Engine9
- Suspension8
- Power train8
- Lane departure7
- Service brakes5
- Air bags5
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Forte model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 232 |
| 2011 | 162 |
| 2012 | 292 |
| 2013 | 195 |
| 2014 | 444 |
| 2015 | 261 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 305 |
| 2018 | 136 |
| 2019 | 150 |
| 2020 | 78 |
| 2021 | 69 |
| 2022 | 28 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2024 | 26 |
- Crashes reported
- 11
- Fires reported
- 5
- Injuries reported
- 5
- Deaths reported
- 1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Steering
15 reports4 crashes1 fire
“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 tire failure. The tires were rotated, and an alignment was performed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone and by email, and a case was opened. The contact requested a goodwill assistance to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 600.”
Electrical system
11 reports1 crash1 fire
“Front left tire blew out, plastic liner became shredded due to it. Beneath that plastic liner sits the main electrical wiring harness which rubs against the wheel creating sparks leading to total engine fire and failure”
Forward collision avoidance
10 reports
“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 mode. This is dangerous during driving, especially if there is no where to pull over. The car won't go more than three mph.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
4 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (AM-S7) · Manual 6-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte FE Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 41 | 34 | $1,900 | 261 |
| Forte Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 39 | 32 | $2,000 | 277 |
| Forte Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 35 | 30 | $2,150 | 296 |
| Forte Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 26 | $2,450 | 348 |
- 34mpg comb.
- 32mpg comb.
- 30mpg comb.
- 26mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5Kia Forte 4 DR FWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 10.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 17079
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2023 Forte questions
How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Forte have?
3 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2023 Kia Forte problems?
Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (15), electrical system (11), forward collision avoidance (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2023 Kia Forte get?
The EPA rates the 2023 Kia Forte at 26–34 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
How safe is the 2023 Kia Forte?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Kia Forte 4 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026