2023 Kia Forte: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2023 Kia Forte? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 54 complaints, with Steering Defects as the top reported area.
2023 Kia Forte Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2023 Kia Forte trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.
2023 Kia Forte Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
10.7% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
10.7% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2023 Kia Forte has 54 owner complaints, 8 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Steering Defects. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Kia
- Model
- Forte
- Model year
- 2023
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 54
- Crash-related complaints
- 8
- Safety recall campaigns
- 3
- Top reported component
- Steering Defects
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 32
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 28 / 39
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2023 Kia Forte Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Steering Defects
Electrical Faults
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
Complaint patterns center on Steering Defects, Electrical Faults, Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2023 Kia Forte?
The 2023 Kia Forte shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2023 Kia Forte
Inspection Focus
- Inspect steering system for any unusual play or noise.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for electrical and AEB system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect steering system for any unusual play or noise.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for electrical and AEB system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2023 Kia Forte, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 54 NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Kia Forte, issues are concentrated in steering, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems. There are 3 recalls and 8 crash-related complaints, though the confidence level is low due to limited data.
- Steering defects account for the highest number of complaints (12).
- Electrical faults and forward collision avoidance issues each have 9 complaints.
- Engine problems (8) and transmission/drivetrain issues (7) are also notable.
- Steering Defects
- Electrical Faults
- Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
All 2023 Kia Forte Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Kia Forte. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 12 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 9 | 1 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 8 | — | 2 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 6 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Lane Departure | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2023 Kia Forte. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while leaving Walmart and approaching the vehicle, the contact became aware that another driver with a similar vehicle was able to unlock her vehicle with the other driver’s key fob on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.…
I am reporting a serious and ongoing safety issue involving my 2023 Kia Forte GT. The vehicle has experienced persistent mechanical problems, including a check engine light and multiple diagnostic trouble codes, including P0420 (catalyst system efficiency below threshold – Bank 1…
My son, [XXX] , has opened a complaint/Case #XXX with Kia. 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 eva…
Backing out of a driveway that had a mud hole. Car got turned and stuck in the mud. We were trying to push it out and then it started smoking under the drivers tires and then we heard a pop. Next thing the undercarriage is on fire and we got away. Withing minutes the whole car wa…
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
Unknown Concerning the front passenger steering component. Carfax showed prior accident with minor damage to the front passenger bumper. I purchased the car not long ago and and was hit in the same exact spot. When I looked up the VIN for more information online I came across th…
My low beam headlights seem to burn out at an unusually high rate. Multiple times per year, and this is much higher than any other vehicle that I've owned. I believe there may be some type of electrical issue.
My father was in a fatal vehicle accident in which the car was going very fast and then he crashed into a building. The car then started on fire. The black box was unable to be recovered to check car function. There were no medical findings
Electrical issues since 44K miles I’m at 50 K miles. I’ve complained multiple times and they kept saying electrician wasn’t available. Then they lie about it being a waitlist for a loaner car. All the lights on the dashboard goes on and all the dealership couldn’t diagnose the pr…
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 illu…
Summary: Unintended full brake engagement at highway speeds caused by electronic parking brake/Auto Hold button defect. Extreme risk of collision. Details: On [XXX], my wife was driving our 2023 Kia Forte GT Line when the Auto Hold and electronic parking brake system malfunction…
Driving home. Unexpectedly foward collision warning came on light never turned off even after a reset was done on the car
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. Kia had this same issue with the 2020, 2021, and 2022…
As I was driving at about 20 mph coming to a stop my passenger front door unlatched and caused the door to open and the door sensors to go off. This door was in fact locked and closed. Now I’m very scared to drive my car because if I was going faster the door could swing open and…
Passenger front side makes noises like something is clicking. It makes like a rattle noise too
Clunking when going over bumps especially when turning into a driveway. Started at about 20,000 miles along with excessive clicking when turning the steering wheel.
Catastrophic clutch pressure plate failure - while attempting to shift into gear, teeth on clutch pressure plate sheared horizontally when interacting with input shaft. No indicators appeared when failure originally occurred, only grinding sound when clutch pedal is depressed. …
The oil in the engine constantly sludges even with regular maintenance with full synthetic oil, I went over a pot hole and two of the rear lights went out and won’t go back on even after replacing bulbs and wiring harness, and the worst of all is the suspension, the lower control…
The contact rented a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the contact noticed that the Lane Keep Assist was following the lines on the right side of the vehicle, causing the vehicle to veer towards an exit several times. The contact was able to s…
Recently I purchased a 2023 Kia Forte on 11/09/2024 with only 53,848 miles on the odometer. Within a month the car has lost total power four times. The Advanced Driver Assistance Systems keeps faulting and kicks in taking drive control of the vehicle making it challenging to co…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2023 Kia Forte.
2023 Kia Forte Recalls
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2023 Kia Forte. 3 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2023 Kia Forte Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2023 Kia Forte reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 54 owner complaints, 8 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2023 Kia Forte shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Kia Forte?▾
#1: Steering Defects (12 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (9 complaints). #3: Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB (9 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2023 Kia Forte?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2023 Kia Forte?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2023 Kia Forte, NHTSA complaints include 8 crash-related reports and 4 fire reports out of 54 total complaints. 4 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2023 Kia Forte have any recalls?▾
Yes. 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2023 Kia Forte. A major recall area is STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM. 3 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2023 Kia Forte?▾
The 2023 Kia Forte shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Steering Defects during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Kia Forte reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2023 Kia Forte based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.