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2023 Kia Forte Electrical Problems

7 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

7
Complaints
1
Crashes
Feb 2024Dec 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (7)

criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Aug 2025

Your car's electronic parking brake and Auto Hold system unexpectedly engaged the brakes fully while driving at highway speeds, creating an immediate collision risk and damaging the brake rotors. This happened multiple times, and the next day your brake pedal wouldn't work at all. The dealership found a sticky substance inside the electronic parking brake button caused by factory lubrication mixed with dust and debris accumulation. Fixing this issue involved cleaning or replacing the electronic parking brake button and related brake system components.

NHTSA #: 11683514
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LANE DEPARTURE
Filed: Oct 2025

Your car has had multiple electrical problems starting at 44,000 miles that are getting worse. The dashboard lights come on unexpectedly, the backup camera doesn't work reliably, the brake lights flicker on and off (which caused you to get a ticket), the gear shifter sometimes doesn't respond, and your fuel gauge and mileage display show incorrect readings. The dealership has struggled to diagnose and fix these interconnected electrical issues despite multiple visits.

NHTSA #: 11691550
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2026

I am reporting a serious and ongoing safety issue involving my 2023 Kia Forte GT. The vehicle has experienced persistent mechanical problems, including a check engine light and multiple diagnostic trouble codes, including P0420 (catalyst system efficiency below threshold – Bank 1), P0300 (random/multiple cylinder misfire), P0304 (cylinder 4 misfire), and P0301 (cylinder 1 misfire). These codes have appeared as stored, pending, and permanent, indicating ongoing and unresolved engine and emissions system issues. In addition to these mechanical problems, the vehicle is emitting strong and concerning chemical fumes into the cabin during operation. These fumes are noticeable while driving and create a hazardous environment for occupants, raising concerns of toxic exposure and making the vehicle unsafe to operate. The vehicle also exhibits drivability issues, including jerking and performance irregularities when accelerating. Despite multiple attempts to have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired under warranty at authorized Kia dealerships, including All Star Kia East and All Star Kia Seigen Lane, the dealerships have refused to properly diagnose or repair the vehicle. I have been informed that my vehicle or account is “flagged in all systems,” and service has been denied on that basis. The refusal to address an emissions-related defect, combined with active misfires and the presence of chemical fumes entering the cabin, presents a serious safety risk. I am requesting that this issue be investigated as a potential safety defect affecting this vehicle.

NHTSA #: 11727865
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2025

Your low beam headlights are burning out multiple times per year, which is much more frequent than typical vehicles. This suggests there may be an underlying electrical issue causing the bulbs to fail prematurely. A mechanic should test your vehicle's electrical system and charging voltage to identify why the headlights are wearing out so quickly.

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NHTSA #: 11707776
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Aug 2024

My safety system keeps malfunctioning. I am unable to use safety features, blinkers, hazards and gauges of speed, gas and rpm go to zero. I have taken my car several time to the Kia dealership in Arlington Texas and they keep giving me the run around with my concern. They say that don't have codes that validate a problem. I have shown them video and pictures of what happens and they refuse to help me. My complete dash will light up and all my warning signs are in and blinking and bell is going off. Systems of failure had been taking place for a year now and I don't know what else to do. I had a recall done on my new car at the location and since then I e been dealing with this safety issue.

NHTSA #: 11607585
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Feb 2024

Driving down the road and the car will quit running and will take 20-30 for it to start again and now won’t start at all and it quit running while driving at Hyway speeds 10 times and could have been hit by other vehicles

NHTSA #: 11571337
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Dec 2022

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 it automatically proceeded to call roadside assistance.I immediately informed the dealership. The car often hesitates, fails to shift and turns completely off. Last Sunday on December 11, 2022 I was about to get on the Roosevelt Boulevard expressway while I was on a street which is a hill that leads me to the expressway going about a reasonable distance. My car proceeded to roll backwards on the hill. I immediately thought to myself this is a huge safety concern. The incident that occurred on December 13,2022 in front of my house was a dealbreaker for me. I was moving my car from my home driveway , I put my car in reverse and moved my steering wheel the opposite to go right with my foot slightly on the gas my car would not move. The transmission light , battery lights and other lights came on. My car then said reverse,neutral then reverse again. I did not change gears to neutral. Still my car would not move. Shortly after I put my foot on the brake because I saw a white car speed behind me very fast. I kept my foot on the brake until the coast was clear and the white car disappeared.After that my car immediately goes backwards at full speed ( Jumps out of gear accelerated then stalled) and hits a parked car which damages the back of my car.I called KIA roadside assistance because I was turned off by the car and I did not feel like it was safe to drive and it needed to be towed. The incident happened in front of my house but it could have happened anywhere and cause even more damage to me and someone else. I talked to [XXX] on the phone a day after my car arrived at the dealership and she immediately stated that KIA can not fix any damages. My car needs to go to a INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA #: 11498196

Other 2023 Kia Forte Issues