Sedan · model years 2020-2024 · NHTSA recalls, complaints & NCAP ratings
Across model years 2020-2024, the Kia Forte has
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on
record (a typical-to-moderate number of recall campaigns) — most often the steering system,
plus 238 owner complaints and a NCAP overall rating of about 4/5 stars.
This is the model's recall history, not your car's status — the only way to know if a recall
is still open on your vehicle is to
check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Verify with your VIN. Recalls are issued continuously and tie to your exact vehicle.
Confirm open recalls for your Kia Forte at
nhtsa.gov/recalls — or use our
VIN check helper. Data as of June 2026.
The most recent recall campaigns on record for 2020-2024. The remedy (repair) is free at a franchised Kia dealer; quote the campaign number.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · NHTSA #24V244000 · filed 2024-04-01 · model year 2023
Do Not Drive
Summary: 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 · NHTSA #23V649000 · filed 2023-09-22 · model year 2023
Do Not Drive
Summary: 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 · NHTSA #22V906000 · filed 2022-12-08 · model year 2023
Summary: 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.
STEERING:COLUMN · NHTSA #22V304000 · filed 2022-05-05 · model years 2021, 2022
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Consequence: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE · NHTSA #21V164000 · filed 2021-03-11 · model year 2021
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA, not confirmed defects. Newer model years often have fewer simply because fewer are on the road and less time has passed.
NCAP stars are federal crash-test results. A blank means that test was not separately published; "Not rated" means NHTSA did not crash-test that configuration.
How the Kia Forte compares
Similar sedans by recall-campaign count:
Kia Forte and peer vehicles. Source: NHTSA, model years 2020-2024.
Vehicle
Recall campaigns
Complaints
Kia Forte (this vehicle)
5
238
Toyota Camry
5
568
Chevrolet Malibu
5
403
Mazda Mazda3
6
125
Toyota Corolla
7
704
Nissan Altima
7
319
Frequently asked questions
Does the Kia Forte have any recalls?
Across model years 2020-2024, the Kia Forte has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on record, most often involving the steering system. This is a recall history, not your car's status. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if any recall is still open on your specific Kia Forte.
How do I check if my Kia Forte is under recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN at the free NHTSA recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls). It shows any unrepaired safety recall on that exact Kia Forte. The repair, called the remedy, is free at a franchised Kia dealer.
How many complaints does the Kia Forte have?
NHTSA has 238 owner complaints on file for the Kia Forte across 2020-2024, of which 37 mention a crash. Complaints are unverified owner reports, useful as a signal of possible issues, not confirmed defects.
What is the Kia Forte crash-test rating?
The Kia Forte has a NHTSA NCAP overall safety rating of about 4 out of 5 stars across the tested model years in 2020-2024. See the year-by-year frontal, side and rollover stars on this page.
Recalls, complaints and crash-test ratings: NHTSA
(model years 2020-2024), US public domain, captured June 2026. This is a dated snapshot of a
model's history and can lag NHTSA. It is not your vehicle's recall status and is not safety advice —
always verify open recalls with your VIN at
nhtsa.gov/recalls. See the
methodology and disclaimer.