Are there open safety recalls?
3 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2023 Kia Forte has 3 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 59 owner complaints, and gets about 30 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2023 Kia Forte
- Engine 4-cyl 1.6L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Midsize Cars
Should you worry?
Be careful
Serious flags in the public record. Read below, and verify recall work was done.
What do owners report?
1 death reported
Out of 59 owner reports. Read the Owners section before you buy.
How did it score in crash tests?
4 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2023.
- 20212recalls
- 20221recall
- 2023 · this car3recalls
- 20240recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 22, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 4 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 4 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Lane-departure warning
- Standard
Tested as: 2023 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD
Open safety recalls
3 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
-
Steering
08/12/2022
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Suspension
22/09/2023
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.
How they fix it: 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
01/04/2024
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.
How they fix it: 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 22, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2023.
- 202167reports
- 202226reports
- 2023 · this car59reports
- 202424reports
59 owner reports on file
10 crash mentions 4 fire mentions 5 injury mentions 1 death mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 59 total reports.
- STEERING 13 of 59
I was driving home, on my way while driving I approached a curve on my way around the curve my vehicle continued to accelerate to the right as I was going around the curve. I tried to redirect the vehicle back to the left by trying to turn
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 of 59
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 sy
- POWER TRAIN 7 of 59
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 b
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 of 59
The A/C compressor field coil assembly failed on my 2023 Kia Forte. The air conditioning system is completely inoperative. The vehicle is currently [at my residence / at the dealership - specify location] and the component is available for
- SUSPENSION 4 of 59
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 righ
- AIR BAGS 4 of 59
I was driving in a road, when a female deer appeared out of the trees and bushes from the right shoulder of the road. I tried not to hit it but but the deer got in my way. I hit the deer and quickly moved over to the right shoulder. The who
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 22, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Sold in 2 versions
They range from 30 to 34 mpg combined. Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2023.
- 202130mpg
- 202230mpg
- 2023 · this car30mpg
- 202430mpg
$2,050
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 27 mpg
Highway driving 35 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 30 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to save about $750 on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 96 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 15 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 22, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 1.6L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (AM-S7)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 1.6L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 1.6 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (AM-S7)
- Body
- Midsize Cars
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 22, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 3 open NHTSA recalls (including the steering). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the steering
Owners report problems with the steering more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2023 Kia Forte listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2023 Kia Forte? +
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2023 Kia Forte, including the steering. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Kia Forte get? +
The EPA rates the 2023 Kia Forte at 30 mpg combined (27 city / 35 highway), about $2,050 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2023 Kia Forte? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2023 Kia Forte 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2023 Kia Forte? +
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA for the 2023 Kia Forte, including 10 involving a crash. The most-reported area is steering.
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