Last updated: 2026-10-10
2023 Kia Forte Reliability Report
The 2023 KIA Forte has a good reliability standing, but steering pull, stalling and lane keeping complaints leave it behind the 2022 and 2024 models.
Recalls
3
Complaints
53
Complaint Rate
4.3per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$451
Annual Fuel Cost
$1,750–$2,300
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Good standing, but more complaints than the 2022 and 2024 models, led by a rightward steering pull, with three recalls and two of them do-not-drive.
Top Issues to Watch
- STEERING (12)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7)
- POWER TRAIN (7)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2023 is 2 years after the 2022 facelift refresh.
- Year 5 in the Third generation (BD) (2019–2024).
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 3rd generation Forte (US).
What this means for buyers
Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.
2019: Third generation (BD) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2021: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2023: This Model Year
2023 is 2 years after the 2022 facelift refresh.
Should You Buy the 2023 Kia Forte?
Reliability is good, though not the best the Forte offers. Against other 2023 sedans it lands close to average, and it sits in the middle of the seven scored Forte years. The 2022 and 2024 models both rate better and have far fewer owner complaints. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $451 for the model, below $526 for its class.
Steering draws the most complaints. Owners describe the wheel stiffening and the car drifting right on straight, flat roads, sometimes within the first 500 to 1,020 miles. Repeated alignments have not cured it. Other owners report the engine shutting off while driving, and some cars then will not restart. Some cars needed repeat transmission replacements. Lane keeping assist can also steer the car out of its lane with no warning light. Federal records list three recalls, two in suspension and one in steering. Two are do-not-drive recalls.
Ask the seller for proof that every recall was completed, plus any transmission or alignment repair history. Test drive on a flat road and watch for a pull. Also compare a 2022 or 2024 Forte.
Compared to the 2024 Kia Forte, which scored 10 points higher. See also the 2022 Kia Forte for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +$75 cheaper to maintain than avg compact cars
- +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- +Low major repair risk (9%)
Cons
- −Moderate recall count
- −STEERING: Pulling to the right is the main pattern (12 complaints)
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Engine shuts off while driving, sometimes at highway speed, and some cars then... (7 complaints)
Compare 2023 Kia Forte With
2023 Toyota Corolla
Reliability: 73/100
2023 Honda Civic
Reliability: 74/100
2023 Hyundai Elantra
Reliability: 75/100
2023 Mazda 3
Reliability: 78/100
2023 Nissan Sentra
Reliability: 80/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 3 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- STEERING (12)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7)
Recall Overview
3
recalls on record
A moderate 3 recalls are on file for the 2023 Kia Forte. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
4.3
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 14.4
Safety Incidents
8
Crashes
4
Fires
4
Injuries
1
Deaths
NHTSA 4/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2023 Kia Forte Recall Details
3 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Kia Forte. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
SUSPENSION
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
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.
SUSPENSION
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
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.
STEERING
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
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.
Buying a used 2023 Kia Forte? Check its history first
Steering problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Kia Forte, and 3 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2023 Kia Forte NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 10.7%
Safety Technologies
Kia ForteRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3Maintenance rating: 3 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$451
vs $526 avg for compact cars
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.2
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
9%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Kia Forte Resale Value
The Kia Forte is estimated to retain about 76.3% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
This benchmark covers the Kia Forte model overall and is not specific to the 2023 model year.
- Value Retained
- 76.3%
- Depreciation
- 23.7%
- Listings Analyzed
- 600
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Kia Forte depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
26–34 MPG
Running cost: $2,200–$2,750/yr
Fuel + repair
22–30 city / 31–41 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2023 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte FE 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 30 | 41 | 34 | $1,750 |
| Forte 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 28 | 39 | 32 | $1,850 |
| Forte 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 27 | 35 | 30 | $2,000 |
| Forte 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 22 | 31 | 26 | $2,300 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2023 Kia Forte.
Drive a straight, flat road with a light grip and reject the car if it pulls right or the wheel stiffens.
Turn sharply into a driveway in both directions and listen for clunking or clicking from the front end.
Have a mechanic check the lower control arms, trailing arms, and tie rods on a lift for bends or damage.
Test lane keeping assist on a highway and watch for steering toward exits, the next lane, or oncoming traffic.
Use adaptive cruise in traffic and watch for braking for cars in other lanes or forward safety warning messages.
Ask for service records showing transmission or clutch replacements, and listen for whining or slipping on the test drive.
On a long drive, watch for the whole dash flashing, gauges dropping to zero, or the engine shutting off.
Lock all doors and drive over bumps at low speed, checking that no door-open warning appears.
2023 Kia Forte Common Problems by Component
53 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
STEERING
12 complaintsSafety-relatedPulling to the right is the main pattern. On straight, flat roads the wheel stiffens and the car drifts unless the driver holds it. Some reports start within the first 500 to 1,020 miles. Repeated alignments have not fixed it, and some dealers now say the car is driving as designed. Lane keeping can jerk the car back against the pull. Other reports describe clunking from the front end on turns, starting around 20,000 miles, and clicking when turning the wheel. Two filings involve crashes and one involves a fire, but neither points to a steering fault.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7 complaintsSafety-relatedThe engine shuts off while driving, sometimes at highway speed, and some cars then will not restart. Other reports describe the whole dash lighting up, gauges dropping to zero, blinkers and hazards failing, and an erratic backup camera. Dealers often find no codes and cannot reproduce the fault. One report describes the electronic parking brake fully engaging at highway speed. Low beam headlights burning out several times a year, misfire codes, and cabin fumes also appear. One filing involves a crash after a stall and a rollback on a hill.
POWER TRAIN
7 complaintsTransmission failure is the main problem. Some cars have needed two or more transmission replacements within the first 6,000 miles, and replacement units reportedly fail again within 1,000 to 1,500 miles. Symptoms include whining, sudden loss of power while driving, and a car that shifts into reverse but will not move. Cars with a clutch show their own failures, including a sheared pressure plate and a clutch assembly that needed replacement around 36,000 miles. One owner reports a second engine and oil in the coolant.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4 complaintsSafety-relatedFire is the most serious theme. In one report the engine compartment caught fire after the car had been parked for at least 24 hours. In another, the undercarriage caught fire while the car was stuck in mud, and flames quickly spread to the whole car. Other filings describe a false forward collision warning that set off emergency braking and pulled the car toward the next lane, with one injury reported. One car shut off at 40 mph at about 20,000 miles with no warning lights or codes the dealer could find.
LANE DEPARTURE (4 complaints)
LANE DEPARTURE
4 complaintsSafety-relatedLane keeping assist steers the car out of its lane instead of holding it there. Drivers describe the system following the wrong lines and pulling toward exits, the next lane, or oncoming traffic, usually with no warning light. One filing reports a crash into a guard rail with airbag deployment and an injury after the car drifted right without an alert. Another describes random hard braking with a truck close behind. A rental car showed the problem at about 75 mph with about 30,000 miles.
AIR BAGS (3 complaints)
AIR BAGS
3 complaintsSafety-relatedEvery complaint here is about airbags that did not deploy in a crash. All 3 filings involve collisions, including a driver-side impact at 45 to 50 mph, and 2 report injuries, such as a head striking the B pillar. One car was declared a total loss with no airbags deployed. None of the excerpts describe an inspection that confirmed a fault, so the cause is unknown.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (3 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
3 complaintsFalse automatic braking is the main complaint. The front radar mistakes cars in the next lane for cars directly ahead, so the car slows or brakes hard for no reason, including with adaptive cruise control on. Drivers also get 'Check Forward Safety System' or radar-blocked messages when nothing is blocking the sensor, and one warning light stayed on after a reset. One report puts the onset around 20,000 miles. Dealer responses have been inconsistent, and some dealers did not recognize the problem.
STRUCTURE (3 complaints)
STRUCTURE
3 complaintsSafety-relatedThe real concern is doors unlatching while the car is moving. In 2 reports, a locked and fully closed door came open at low speed, between about 10 and 20 mph, and set off the door warnings. One was the front passenger door and the other was the driver door. Neither driver found anything in the latch or frame that would explain it. The third filing describes damage from another vehicle while parked and does not point to a defect.
SUSPENSION (3 complaints)
SUSPENSION
3 complaintsLower control arm failure is the serious pattern. Reports describe control arms and a trailing arm wearing out by about 20,000 miles. In one case the front end collapsed on the road: the lower control arm broke, the inner tie rod bent, and the wheel came loose from the car. Other symptoms include clicking and rattling from the front passenger side, plus harsh, loud impacts over bumps and potholes. Ball joint replacement also comes up.
ENGINE (2 complaints)
ENGINE
2 complaintsSafety-relatedThe 2 reports here cover an engine fire and a misfire. One car caught fire on the highway in under 3 minutes, and firefighters pointed to an engine and fuel problem. In the other, the check engine light came on at startup and the car shook and ran rough. It was towed to the dealer, which found a cylinder misfire at around 6,000 miles. Misfire codes also show up in electrical complaints, along with a catalyst efficiency code.
When Do 2023 Kia Forte Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Kia Forte Years
Best Kia Forte Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreKia Forte Years to Avoid
Kia Forte Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 67/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 78/100 | Good |
Kia Forte Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2023 KIA Forte reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2023 KIA Forte?
Does the 2023 KIA Forte have transmission problems?
Does the 2023 KIA Forte have recalls?
Is the 2023 KIA Forte cheaper to repair than other compact cars?
Don’t buy a 2023 Kia Forte without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2023 Kia Forte
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Kia Forte does best on how many systems draw complaints (86/100) and worst on recall impact (55/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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