CarBrief

Three recalls cover steering and front suspension parts that can fail and cause a loss of steering control[1][2][3]. Owners have also filed 65 complaints with NHTSA, and steering is the group named most often[4][5].

65owner complaints[4]
3recalls[6]
26–34MPG combined (EPA)[7]
4★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 65 owner complaints for the 2023 Forte[4]. Of those, 11 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 5 injuries and 1 a death[4]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.

Here are the component groups named most often:

Component group Complaints
Steering[5] 15
Electrical system[9] 11
Forward collision avoidance[10] 10
Engine[11] 9
Power train[12] 8
Suspension[13] 8
Lane departure[14] 7

In a sample of steering complaints we read, owners describe a car that pulls to one side or feels stiff and wanders in the lane. Some say the dealer could not fix it after several visits. Others describe clunking noises when turning or going over bumps[5].

In the electrical sample, owners describe dash lights and gauges acting up, and the car shutting off or losing power while driving. Some say the dealer could not find a cause[9].

In the forward collision avoidance sample, owners describe automatic braking or warnings that triggered when nothing was in the way[10].

In the engine sample, owners describe fires, misfires with a check engine light, and loss of power while driving[11]. The engine group shows 2 fire complaints[11].

These themes come from a small sample of complaint texts. They show what some owners report. They do not tell us how common any problem is.

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this model year, newest first.

Before you buy, ask the seller for proof that all three recalls were completed.

Fuel economy

EPA lists four versions of the 2023 Forte. All run on regular gas and are front-wheel drive.

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Forte FE, 2.0L, automatic (variable gear ratios)[7] 30 / 41 / 34 $1,950
Forte, 2.0L, automatic (variable gear ratios)[15] 28 / 39 / 32 $2,100
Forte, 1.6L turbo, automatic (AM-S7)[16] 27 / 35 / 30 $2,250
Forte, 1.6L turbo, manual 6-speed[17] 22 / 31 / 26 $2,600

The fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not what gas cost when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel-drive Forte 4 stars overall[8]. Frontal crash protection earns 4 stars, side crash protection 5 stars and rollover 4 stars[8]. The rollover risk is listed as 10.7%[8].

Engine and size

EPA lists two engines for this model year. The 1.6L four-cylinder is rated at 201 hp[18]. The 2.0L four-cylinder is rated at 147 hp[19].

Size figures below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[20].

Body style Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Forte 4-door sedan[20] 183 in 71 in 57 in 106 in 2,769 lb
Forte GT 4-door sedan[21] 183 in 71 in 57 in 106 in 3,012 lb
Forte5 EX 5-door hatch[22] 178 in 71 in 57 in 106 in 2,864 lb
Forte5 GT 5-door hatch[23] 178 in 71 in 57 in 106 in 3,095 lb

How 2023 compares with other years

2010: 232 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 162 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 306 complaints, 4 recalls20122013: 211 complaints, 5 recalls20132014: 445 complaints, 3 recalls20142015: 260 complaints, 1 recalls20152016: 138 complaints, 1 recalls20162017: 305 complaints, 3 recalls20172018: 136 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 149 complaints, 2 recalls20192020: 78 complaints, 0 recalls20202021: 69 complaints, 2 recalls20212022: 28 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 65 complaints, 3 recalls6520232024: 26 complaints, 0 recalls2024
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Forte model year. The 2023 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20102323
20111623
20123064
20132115
20144453
20152601
20161381
20173053
20181363
20191492
2020780
2021692
2022281
2023653
2024260

The 2023 Forte has 65 complaints and 3 recalls on file[6]. Every Forte year from 2010 to 2019 has more complaints, from 136 up to 445[6]. The 2020 year has 78 and 2021 has 69[6]. Only 2022, with 28, and 2024, with 26, have fewer[6].

On recalls, 2012 has 4 and 2013 has 5[6]. Five other years also have 3: 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017 and 2018[6]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so they are a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2023 Forte?

The 2023 Forte has fewer complaints than every model year from 2010 to 2021, but it has three recalls on steering and front suspension parts[6][1][2][3]. Make sure every recall has been completed before you buy, since the repairs are done by dealers at no charge[1][2][3]. Steering is the group owners name most, so a long test drive that checks how the car tracks and sounds on turns makes sense[5]. Fuel economy depends a lot on the version, from 26 to 34 combined MPG[17][7]. The overall crash rating is 4 stars[8].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Kia Forte?
Steering is the component group named most often in NHTSA complaints, with 15 of 65[4][5]. Electrical system follows with 11 and forward collision avoidance with 10[9][10].
Does the 2023 Kia Forte have any recalls?
Yes, three: 22V906 for the steering knuckle, 23V649 and 24V244 for the front lower control arm[1][2][3]. Each has a dealer repair.
What is the gas mileage of the 2023 Kia Forte?
EPA combined ratings run from 26 MPG for the 1.6L turbo with a manual to 34 MPG for the Forte FE with the 2.0L[17][7].
How safe is the 2023 Kia Forte?
NHTSA rates the 4-door front-wheel-drive version 4 stars overall, with 5 stars for side protection[8].
Is 2023 a good year for the Kia Forte?
It has fewer complaints than every year from 2010 to 2021, though 2022 and 2024 have fewer still[6]. Recall status still matters for any single car[1][2][3].

Facts and sources

  1. Recall 24V244, filed April 1, 2024: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm. NHTSA recall database
  2. Recall 23V649, filed September 22, 2023: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 22V906, filed December 8, 2022: Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm. NHTSA recall database
  4. NHTSA has 65 owner complaints on file for the 2023 Kia Forte (11 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 5 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 15 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Forte model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for Forte FE, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 41 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 10 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 9 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 8 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 8 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 7 complaints name the lane departure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 39 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Forte, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Forte, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2023 Kia Forte with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 201 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2023 Kia Forte with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 147 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORTE 4DR SEDAN: length 183 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,769 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORTE GT 4DR SEDAN: length 183 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,012 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORTE5 EX 5DR HATCH: length 178 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,864 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORTE5 GT 5DR HATCH: length 178 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,095 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.