2023 Kia Forte Lower Control Arm Recall (24V244)
Kia America, Inc. · 215 vehicles · Reported April 1, 2024
Kia America, Inc. is recalling 215 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 24V244 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 24V244000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SC306 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | April 1, 2024 |
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2023 Kia Forte |
| Units affected | 215 |
| 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 24V244?
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 24V244?
No. NHTSA lists recall 24V244 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 24V244?
Recall 24V244 covers 215 vehicles: 2023 Kia Forte.
NHTSA lists 215 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 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.
When was recall 24V244 announced?
Kia America, Inc. reported recall 24V244 to NHTSA on April 1, 2024. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as April 17, 2024.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 1, 2024 | Kia America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 24V244000. |
| April 17, 2024 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 30 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 24V244?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 24V244 is open on your Forte, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 24V244000 is open on your Forte, it will be listed there, along with Kia recall number SC306. You can also ask any Kia dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Forte owners do about recall 24V244?
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 24V244000 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.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the lower arm happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- 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 24V244 was reported on April 1, 2024, 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 April 1, 2024, 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 24V244 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.
Owners often ask whether this lower arm recall means their Forte qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Suspension, wheel and tire defects can affect handling and control. Clunks, pulling and vibration that return after a repair point to a defect that has not been fixed.
This is not the first recall for this problem. When a manufacturer has to recall the same lower arm again, that suggests the earlier fix did not work. If your 2023 Kia Forte has had this repair more than once, keep every repair order.
Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 23V649000.
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 24V244
Did the recall 24V244 fix work?
Since recall 24V244 was reported on April 1, 2024, 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 April 17, 2024.
Is the 24V244000 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 24V244000?
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 24V244000 (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.