2023 Kia FORTE
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2023 Kia FORTE has 94 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 213. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: the car is slamming on breaks at random no warning it is going to cause a reck a 18 wheeler almost killed us that was behind us. and i can be driving down the road and the wheel try to jerk me into another lane. this car is not safe. but is not having any warning lights going off that anything is wr. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.
94
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
0.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
21 complaints- • The car is slamming on breaks at random no warning it is going to cause a reck a 18 wheeler almost killed us that was behind us. And I can be driving down the road and the wheel try to jerk me into another lane. This car is not safe. But is not having any warning lights going off that anything is wr
- • The car is slamming on breaks at random no warning it is going to cause a reck a 18 wheeler almost killed us that was behind us. And I can be driving down the road and the wheel try to jerk me into another lane. This car is not safe. But is not having any warning lights going off that anything is wr
- • The 2023 Kia Forte LXS model rear camera often fails to identify people, objects, or other vehicles presenting a hazard to vehicles that are backing up. It fails to identify people and vehicles in the blindspots and is quite unreliable leading to several serious close calls in the vehicle. Due to
“The car is slamming on breaks at random no warning it is going to cause a reck a 18 wheeler almost killed us that was behind us. And I can be driving down the road and the wheel try to jerk me into another lane. This car is not safe. But is not having any warning lights going off that anything is wr”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (3)
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.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Very high theft risk
The Kia FORTE was the #8 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 10,800 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: Kia Boys challenge affected 2011-2021 keyless models
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2023 Kia FORTE
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2023 Kia FORTE
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Kia FORTE Service Intervals
Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 94 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The car is slamming on breaks at random no warning it is going to cause a reck a 18 wheeler almost killed us that was behind us. And I can be driving down the road and the wheel try to jerk me into another lane. This car is not safe. But is not having any warning lights going off that anything is wr
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: 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 underst
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: 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 i
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: Never been in a accident on my second engine and had the transmission replaced now I have oil in my coolant and my screen stoped working but think it’s grime be dealership be I took it some ware and there found wires that was cut
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Kia FORTE — Year Comparison
How does 2023 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 94
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 5
- Crash reports
- 11
- Injury reports
- 8
- Segment avg
- 213
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2023 Kia FORTE