2023 Kia Forte Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2023 Kia Forte has a complaint index of 60, ranking 7th worst out of 16 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. It has 3 recalls, including 2 do-not-drive campaigns for a right front lower control arm weld defect and a steering knuckle crack.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #7 of 16 Forte years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 62
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 2 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 31
- 27.5 city / 37 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 1
Top 2023 Kia Forte problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering14 (23%)
- Electrical System12 (19%)
- Engine11 (18%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (18%)
- Other8 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (13%)
- Lane Departure7 (11%)
- Airbags5 (8%)
- Structure & Body5 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple crash impacts, including side and frontal collisions.
- Owners describe the lane keep assist feature merging the vehicle into another lane without warning, leading to a guard rail crash.
- Some vehicles caught fire in the engine compartment while idle or shortly after driving, according to owner accounts.
- Owners report steering component damage linked to the front passenger area, with one owner citing the known steering knuckle recall after being hit in the same spot twice.
- A structure and body complaint described a fatal crash followed by a post-collision vehicle fire.
2023 Kia Forte recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V244000Apr 1, 2024Suspension, Wheels & Tires215 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.
- NHTSA 23V649000Sep 22, 2023Suspension, Wheels & Tires3,866 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.
- NHTSA 22V906000Dec 8, 2022Steering939 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.
2023 Kia Forte fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27.5 MPG
- Highway
- 37 MPG
- Combined
- 31 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2023 compared with other Forte years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Kia Forte reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2023 Forte a complaint index of 60, the 7th worst of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other Forte years.
- What are the top problem areas for the 2023 Kia Forte?
- Steering leads with 14 complaints (23% share) and a median failure mileage of 80 miles, followed by Electrical System (12 complaints, 19%) and Engine (11 complaints, 18%, with 3 fires).
- Does the 2023 Kia Forte have a recall?
- Yes, it has 3 recalls. Two are do-not-drive recalls (23V649000 and 24V244000) for an improperly welded right front lower control arm, and one covers a front left steering knuckle that may crack (22V906000).
- How does the 2023 Forte compare to other Forte years?
- Its complaint index of 60 is worse than the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024 model years, which all carry Good or Best verdicts, but better than the 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2017 Avoid years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Kia Forte?
- EPA rates it at 31 mpg combined (27.5 city / 37 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,100.