2023 Kia Forte
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 16 of 61 complaints (26%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 26 in 2022 to 61 in 2023.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | vs. 2023 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,800–2,250 | 1,800–2,400 | 1,850–2,400 | 1,850–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 28–35 | 26–35 | 26–34 | 26–34 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 25–31 / 32–41 | 22–31 / 31–41 | 22–30 / 31–41 | 22–30 / 31–41 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 256–326 | 256–348 | 261–348 | 261–348 | |
| Complaints filed | 67 | 26 | 61 | 24 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 3 | 11 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 2 | 5 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Forte have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2023 Kia Forte?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 16 of 61 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Kia Forte get?
EPA rates it 26–34 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2023 Kia Forte?
EPA estimates $1,850–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 31 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 348 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 27 mpg | 35 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 296 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 30 mpg (high) | 41 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | $1,850 (low) | 261 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 28 mpg | 39 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,950 | 277 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 14 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 16 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · Campaign 24V244000 · Apr 1, 2024
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · Campaign 23V649000 · Sep 22, 2023
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM · Campaign 22V906000 · Dec 9, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.