2023 Kia FORTE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
61 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
30,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 61 complaints (23.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 16 | 26.2% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 14.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 9.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 8.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 14 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Suspension | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 7 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
Steering: 14; Electrical System: 10; Engine: 9; Suspension: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 7; Power Train: 7; Air Bags: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 54 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 13 |
2022: 1; 2023: 18; 2024: 14; 2025: 15; 2026: 13
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11498196 · 2022-12-20 (December 20, 2022)
Good morning, I want to report extreme safety concerns about my KIA Forte GT - Line 2023.When I first came home with the car days later the car shut off in the middle of the street while driving just one house up from my house. I attempted to turn it back on and the car would not turn back on and it automatically proceeded to call roadside assistance.I immediately informed the dealership. The car often hesitates, fails to shift and turns completely off. Last Sunday on December 11, 2022 I was about to get on the Roosevelt Boulevard expressway w…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11498196 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11520953 · 2023-05-08 (May 8, 2023)
Issue seems to be with the steering of the car. It is very stiff and difficult to maneuver. Steering needs to be hold tightly to keep car in the lane, else car keeps on going towards the right side. I took the car to service center as well and they also acknowledged the problem and as per my understanding they fixed some steering angle issue. But, issue is still persisting and I tried to take the appointment but seems like no Kia service center has appointment available before one month. Requesting to look into this issue so that it can be fixe…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11520953 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11532287 · 2023-07-14 (July 14, 2023)
I have been driving my car, utilizing the Adaptive Cruise Control, and on a few occasions, have received a 'Check Forward Safety System' error message. Additionally, when utilizing the Adaptive Cruise Control, my vehicle does not recognize the vehicle in the lane directly in front of me, but instead, will recognize the vehicle in the lane to the left of me, as though it is in front of me (i.e. - my car has slowed down and/or initiated emergency braking when unnecessary). I contacted the dealership today, July 14th, to schedule an appointment,…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11532287 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11510745 · 2023-03-08 (March 8, 2023)
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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11510745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11641375 · 2025-02-07 (February 7, 2025)
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 arm and the trailing arm both have gone out after only 20k miles of light mostly highway driving, this car offers nothing but problems it’s no surprise that they discontinued the model it’s an absolute nightmare. I bought it brand new and it feels like I’m going to die…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11641375 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11657651 · 2025-04-29 (April 29, 2025)
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. Malfunction occurred at a stoplight leading to traffic blockage and no major safety risk. However due to nature of failure if issue occurred at speed there would have been immediate loss of power from engine to drivetrain, causing car to "coast" in effectively neutral u…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11657651 at NHTSA ↗