2023 Kia Forte: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2023 Kia Forte: 3 recalls, 64 owner complaints and up to 32 mpg combined.

Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #22V906000 · 2022 · 939 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #23V649000 · 2023 · 3,866 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #24V244000 · 2024 · 215 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (15): the most common themes are steering problems (12), noise or vibration (3), warning light on (2).
- Electrical (10): the most common themes are electrical failure (4).
- Forward collision avoidance (10): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
- Engine (9): the most common themes are warning light on (3), fire / smoke (2), noise or vibration (2).
The 2023 Kia Forte has 64 owner complaints, ranking #13 of 16 Forte model years for complaints (well below the 160 average). Complaints peaked in 2023 (18 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 27,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2022 (28 complaints, 1 recalls), 2024 (26 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 39 | 32 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 35 | 30 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2023 Kia Forte.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2023 Kia Forte have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2023 Kia Forte. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2023 Kia Forte problems?
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (15), electrical (10), forward collision avoidance (10).
What gas mileage does the 2023 Kia Forte get?
EPA ratings run up to 32 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2023 Kia Forte repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.