NHTSA (USA)CriticalDo Not Drive
At a glance
What can fail
The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm at no cost to you.
This page covers 5 recalls, 54 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2023 Kia Forte.
26–32 mpg combined
7.4–9 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Steering and forward collision avoidance generate the most owner complaints for the 2023 Forte, each drawing the same number of reports. On the steering side, owners describe unexpected behavior that raises handling concerns during normal driving. Forward collision avoidance complaints center on the system activating unexpectedly or failing to respond as expected, which owners say catches them off guard. Powertrain complaints are close behind, with several owners reporting check engine lights accompanied by misfire codes across multiple cylinders, in some cases persisting after dealer visits. A handful of reports mention the catalytic converter efficiency code appearing alongside those misfires. Airbag non-deployment during collisions shows up in a smaller cluster of reports, with owners saying the airbags did not activate despite significant impacts.
54
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
Looking at these recalls, I can see two distinct underlying defects filed across multiple jurisdictions: the left-front steering knuckle cracking, and the right-front lower control arm weld failing. I'll treat each as a single issue.
The 2023 Kia Forte has 5 recalls, all of them serious steering and suspension defects that can cause sudden loss of vehicle control: the left-front steering knuckle can crack and break, and the right-front lower control arm can fail due to a faulty weld.
Both issues affect the front corner of the vehicle where the wheel connects to the chassis. If the steering knuckle fractures while driving, the wheel can lose its connection to the steering system entirely. The lower control arm problem involves a weld that can give way, allowing the arm to partially separate from the subframe. Either failure can leave the driver unable to steer or control the direction of the vehicle, with little or no warning before it happens.
At a glance
What can fail
The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right-front lower control arm may separate from the crossmember because of a weak weld, which could suddenly cause loss of steering control while driving.
What the fix does
Kia will mail you instructions to bring your vehicle to a dealer, where they will replace the right-front lower control arm.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right front lower control arm may be improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front left steering knuckle may crack due to a manufacturing error, potentially causing loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the front left steering knuckle if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left-front steering knuckle may crack or break, which could cause sudden loss of vehicle control while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your left-front steering knuckle and replace it if the batch code falls within the affected range.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
