2023 Kia Forte Lower Control Arm Recall (23V649)
Kia America, Inc. · 3,866 vehicles · Reported September 22, 2023
Kia America, Inc. is recalling 3,866 2023 Kia Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail. Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. The manufacturer is telling owners not to drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done.
Recall 23V649 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V649000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SC283 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | September 22, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2023 Kia Forte |
| Units affected | 3,866 |
| Component | Suspension > Front > Control Arm > Lower Arm |
| Safety risk | Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2023 Kia Forte in recall 23V649?
The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2023 Forte with recall 23V649?
No. NHTSA lists recall 23V649 as a Do Not Drive recall. Leave the vehicle parked until the repair is done.
NHTSA lists this as a Do Not Drive recall. The manufacturer is telling owners not to drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done. Call the dealer and ask for a tow and a loaner or rental.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V649?
Recall 23V649 covers 3,866 vehicles: 2023 Kia Forte.
NHTSA lists 3,866 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Kia | Forte |
What is the fix for the Forte lower control arm recall?
Yes. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed.
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.
When was recall 23V649 announced?
Kia America, Inc. reported recall 23V649 to NHTSA on September 22, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as September 27, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| September 22, 2023 | Kia America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V649000. |
| September 27, 2023 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 36 months ago. If your Forte was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Forte is part of recall 23V649?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V649 is open on your Forte, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 23V649000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should Forte owners do about recall 23V649?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V649000 applies to your Forte.
- Do not drive the vehicle. Ask the dealer to arrange a tow and a loaner.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Kia dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any lower arm symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Forte owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 8 of them about the suspension, wheels and tires.
Since recall 23V649 was reported on September 22, 2023, owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the suspension, wheels and tires on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the suspension, wheels and tires and were received on or after September 22, 2023, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related suspension, wheels and tires issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 63 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 8 of them involve the suspension, wheels and tires. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 Kia Forte: 63 complaints in total, 8 about the suspension, wheels and tires
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The oil in the engine constantly sludges even with regular maintenance with full synthetic oil, I went over a pot hole and two of the rear lights went out and won’t go back on even after replacing bulbs and wiring harness, and the worst of all is the suspension, the lower control arm and the…
2023 Kia Forte owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11641375, filed February 7, 2025
Clunking when going over bumps especially when turning into a driveway. Started at about 20,000 miles along with excessive clicking when turning the steering wheel.
2023 Kia Forte owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11660911, filed May 14, 2025
The right front lower control arm has completely broken/fractured during operation. Kia has previously issued safety recalls SC283 (NHTSA 23V649) and SC306 (NHTSA 24V244) for this exact vehicle model year due to improperly manufactured right front lower control arms that can crack and fail.
2023 Kia Forte owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11755764, filed August 9, 2026
Can recall 23V649 make my Forte a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 23V649000 does not automatically make your Forte a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
If a suspension or wheel problem on the 2023 Kia Forte returns after the recall work, keep the repair orders. Repeat visits for the same defect are what California's lemon law looks at.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2023 Kia Forte has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Forte went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Forte been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Kia Forte recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V649
Did the recall 23V649 fix work?
Since recall 23V649 was reported on September 22, 2023, owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the suspension, wheels and tires on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed September 27, 2023.
Is the 23V649000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Forte is part of recall 23V649000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 23V649000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Kia. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.