2023 Kia Forte Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 12%of 66 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,500miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2023 Kia Forte, 12% of the 66 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I’ve had my car at the dealer four times now within the first 10k miles to get its FOURTH transmission replacement. Kia will not replace the transmission with a brand new one however settles for used refurbished transmissions with Used parts. Which have been failing on average of 1000 to 1500 miles later”
NHTSA complaint #11522816, filed 2023-05“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”
NHTSA complaint #11526440, filed 2023-06“Unknown. 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11762477, filed 2026-09“The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 25,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11690318, filed 2025-09, 25,000 miles“The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle was driving on the incorrect side of the road coming towards the contact head-on. While attempting to avoid crashing into the other vehicle, the contact swerved over to the side of the road and drove downhill. The contact then heard a loud thud, and the vehicle became undriveable. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the clutch assembly needed to be placed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11633927, filed 2025-01, 36,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11004930Jul 11, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides information to replace the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) Oil Pressure Sensor…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 15% |
| 2023 | 8 | 12% |
| 2022 | 2 | 7% |
| 2021 | 7 | 10% |
| 2020 | 16 | 21% |
| 2019 | 48 | 32% |
| 2018 | 8 | 6% |
| 2017 | 12 | 4% |
| 2016 | 16 | 12% |
| 2015 | 17 | 6% |
| 2014 | 18 | 4% |
| 2013 | 10 | 5% |
| 2012 | 11 | 4% |
| 2011 | 18 | 12% |
| 2010 | 23 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2023 Kia Forte
15 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsForward collision avoidance
10 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsLane departure
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2023 Kia Forte
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology