AI Damage2023 KIA Forte: common problems
Owners of the 2023 KIA Forte filed 66 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and electrical system. The maker issued 46 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 66
- involving a crash
- 11
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 46
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 23% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 15% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 12% of all complaints
- 7 Lane departure 11% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- Steering: 15 complaints (23% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 11 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 25.
- Forward collision avoidance: 10 complaints (15% of all).
- Engine: 9 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Powertrain: 8 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- CVT
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed
- manual, 6-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 66 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 15 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 1 | 25 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 3 |
| Powertrain | 8 | 1 | 4 |
| Suspension | 8 | 1 | 3 |
| Lane departure | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
During a basic collision Avoidance maneuver performed by myself on the highway at speed of aprox 60MPH the steering suddenly became non-responsive, resulting in my inability to maintain directional control and cause a collision. The vehicle continued traveling before coming to its final resting position.
There were no warning lights or messages what so ever ahead of the accident. A claim with the insurance was filed and also a complaint with the Kia manufacturer was filed. At this time no one has accessed the damages of the vehicle, State Farm has the vehicle at this time.
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 whole front right of the vehicle was destroyed and the airbags did not open.
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
The car then started on fire. The black box was unable to be recovered to check car function. There were no medical findings
However, their back drivers side window is replaced with black tape, and their passenger side mirror is blown off as well. These 2 damages blocked their vision of my vehicle, which explains why they are responsible for the damages. The tags on their vehicle have been expired for 2 years as well.
My safety was out at risk because my airbags did not deploy and I hit my head on the B pillar and was jolted from my seat and the time of impact. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I am not sure.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed when the vehicle inadvertently merged to the right lane while the lane assist feature was active. The contact stated that lane assist feature failed to alert her that the vehicle had merged. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a guard rail.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 750 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Forte has 96 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 66, below average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
MISFIRE CONCERN DUE TO OVERRUNNING ALTERNATOR DECOUPLER - This bulletin provides information to address unresolved misfire events on some 2020–2024MY Forte (BDm) produced from January 1, 2019 through September 30…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software…
- PITSTOP
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
TIRE MOBILITY REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information to replace the Tire Mobility Kit (TMK) sealant can or TMK bag assembly on certain 2023-2024MY Forte (BDm) models produced from March 01, 2023 thorough…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT MODEM RESET (SA611) - This bulletin outlines the procedure for resetting the modem in certain 2016-2025MY Kia vehicles listed on page 3 that are equipped with Kia Connect Services. The…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0/AVN5WSOFTWARE UPDATE (SA569) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) (SA582) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This…
NHTSA lists 46 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 KIA Forte?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, electrical system, forward collision avoidance. Total complaints: 66. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (21%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (14%), knocking, grinding or other noise (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 KIA Forte?
NHTSA lists 46 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2023 KIA Forte from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2023 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.