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2023 Kia Forte Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2023 Kia Forte carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering arm and lower arm. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Front lower control arm fracture and suspension collapse.” Kia uses Hyundai Motor Group's powertrains, so service intervals mirror Hyundai's. Kia Promise covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. Kia owners with the Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Optima, Sorento, Sportage 2011-2019) should adhere strictly to oil intervals due to known oil-consumption issues in Kia TSBs.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

Campaign #22V906000 · Aug 12, 2022

Issue: 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.

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:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Campaign #23V649000 · Sep 22, 2023

Issue: 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.

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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC283.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Campaign #24V244000 · Jan 4, 2024

Issue: 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.

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. 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2023 Kia Forte.

Reported to NHTSA

Front lower control arm fracture and suspension collapse

SUSPENSION

5 NHTSA complaints · 2023-05-29 → 2026-08-09

“The right front lower control arm has completely broken/fractured during operation. Kia has previously issued safety recalls SC283 (NHTSA 23V649) and SC306 (NHTSA 24V244) for this exact vehicle model year due to improperly manufactured right front lower control arms that can crack and fail…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11755764
“My brand new 2023 Kia Forte LXS (Koa the Kia)'s lower right control arm is completely broken, the rack & pinion inner tie rod end is bent, as well has damage to bottom coverage panel, right side rims scratches and scratched under bumper paint from collapse…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11585792

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission replacement and powertrain loss of motive power

POWER TRAIN

7 NHTSA complaints · 2023-03-08 → 2025-09-29

“I have had two transmission replacements within the first 6000 miles on the vehicle. And now the 3rd transmission is whining after only 600 miles.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11510745
“The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. No warning lights were illuminated…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11690318

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Forward collision avoidance and AEB unintended activation

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2023-05-21 → 2026-03-30

“The front radar FCA/SCC is misdetecting vehicles in other lanes and often slams on the brakes for no reason. Other times it lights on the dash and says the system (radar detection) is off or is blocked, when it clearly is not…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11673182
“My 2023 Kia Forte keeps automatically braking and coming to a complete stop when pulling out of a parking space. It does it in drive and in reverse. On January 4, 2024 I was pulling out of a parking spot on the road and when my front end was completely in the road the car came to a complete stop…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11568625

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Lane keep assist unintended steering input

LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: AUTOMATIC STEERING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2023-05-21 → 2025-02-03

“The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed when the vehicle inadvertently merged to the right lane while the lane assist feature was active. The contact stated that lane assist feature failed to alert her that the vehicle had merged…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11538487
“My Lane keep assist in my 2023 Kia Forte GT Line does not function as intended. It frequently pulls me into the lane with oncoming traffic as well as the lanes next to me. I'm unable to pinpoint when, where or why but I do know it typically happen in one spot of my town…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11559953

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment during crash

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2023-09-26 → 2026-08-09

“My son was in a car accident in my car January 1 at none of the Air bags went off. Not one there is a police report and I have pictures. Its a 2023 kia forte”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11718865

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering pull and vehicle drift requiring correction

STEERING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2023-05-08 → 2024-07-25

“Car has steering issues. When driving on flat straight roads steering wheel will slightly tighten and start to pull to the right. This happens about 70% of the time. Resistance on the steering wheel is needed in order for the car not to drive off the road or into another vehicle…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11584649
“Car has a steering/pull issue. Car will pull to the right when driving on a flat straight road. Steering wheel will tighten up and then the pull starts to occur. Resistance must be applied in order to keep the car on the road…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11537674

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment fire while parked or driving

ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 NHTSA complaints · 2023-12-13 → 2026-03-24

“His 2023 KIA Forte had been idle for at least 24 hours when the engine compartment caught fire. He became aware of this when the Fire Department knocked on his apartment door around 4:00 PM 12/26/25 and said they were evacuating the building because a car was on fire…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11726670
“The car caught fire on the highway. Per firemen there was a problem with the engine and fuel and it caught fire in under 3 minutes...”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11563850

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L on Optima, Sorento, Sportage (2011-2019): full synthetic only, never extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Telluride and Sorento AWD owners benefit from rotation every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads and rotors every 7,500 miles. Forte and Soul front pads typically last 40,000-55,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required for ABS and ESC pump longevity.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Kia SP-IV — same as Hyundai.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped plugs rated 105,000 miles on most Kia engines. 1.6T (Forte GT, Soul Turbo): 60,000 miles. 3.5L Lambda II V6 (Telluride, Sorento): 105,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Kia Long-Life Coolant (pink, same as Hyundai): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)

Every 60,000 mi

Sportage AWD, Sorento AWD, Telluride AWD: replace transfer case fluid and rear diff fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Optima, Forte, and Sportage; behind the dashboard panel on Telluride.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

40 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

11

complaints mentioning a crash

4

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2023 Kia Forte reflects Kia's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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