Photo: Kia / edited
Previously recalled for steering knuckles that may crack, the 2023 model year Forte has been hit with another safety recall. On this occasion, a grand total of 3,866 vehicles are believed to have been produced with incorrectly welded front lower control arms.
Supplied by Donghee Mexico, the iffy front lower control arms were fitted to vehicles manufactured between April 12, 2023 and June 7, 2023 at the Monterrey plant in Mexico. As it happens, one of the joint connection points can break due to improper welding, causing a partial separation of the front lower control arm from the vehicle's crossmember.
Only the right arm, that is, which bears part number 54501-F2AA0. Dealers have already been instructed to replace the right front lower control arm with a properly welded assembly. No later than September 27, owners will be notified via first-class mail about said blunder. Owners are urged to stop driving their vehicles and to make arrangements with Kia Roadside Assistance to have their vehicles towed to the nearest dealership for the aforestated remedy.
In case of partial separation of the right front lower control arm from the crossmember, the front toe angle may change, thus impacting the steering and greatly increasing the risk of a crash. Fortunately for everyone, Kia isn't aware of any such horror story.
A C-segment sedan, the Forte was redesigned from the ground up in 2018 for the 2019 model year. Facelifted in late 2021 for 2022, this fellow is the second best-selling nameplate in Kia's lineup for the US market. No fewer than 84,398 examples were delivered between January 2023 and August 2023, putting the Forte right behind the Sportage. To whom it may concern, the compact-sized crossover utility vehicle enjoyed 96,022 deliveries in this period.
Slotted between the soon-to-be-discontinued Rio and K5, the Forte carries a starting price of $19,790 (sans destination charge). By comparison, the South Korean automaker's entry-level crossover utility vehicle for the US market retails at $19,990. The Seltos and Sportage start at $24,390 and $27,090.
Covered by a 10-year limited powertrain warranty, the Forte comes with either a 2.0-liter I4 or 1.6-liter I4. The smaller engine is turbocharged, meaning 201 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per minute and 195 pound-feet (264 Nm) at 1,500 to 4,500 revolutions per minute. By comparison, the standard engine belts out 147 at 6,200 rpm and 132 (179) at 4,500 rpm.
It's also worth noting that the 2.0er uses good ol' multi-point injection as opposed to direct injection for the 1.6er. A manual is optionally available for the GT, the sportiest grade on sale today. The GT comes standard with an intelligent variable transmission, which is also standard – and the only transmission available – for the GT-Line, LXS, and LX grades.
The Forte's main competitors are the 2024 Honda Civic and 2024 Toyota Corolla. At the present moment, the segment's best-selling sedans retail at $23,950 and $21,900 (excluding destination charge).
Only the right arm, that is, which bears part number 54501-F2AA0. Dealers have already been instructed to replace the right front lower control arm with a properly welded assembly. No later than September 27, owners will be notified via first-class mail about said blunder. Owners are urged to stop driving their vehicles and to make arrangements with Kia Roadside Assistance to have their vehicles towed to the nearest dealership for the aforestated remedy.
In case of partial separation of the right front lower control arm from the crossmember, the front toe angle may change, thus impacting the steering and greatly increasing the risk of a crash. Fortunately for everyone, Kia isn't aware of any such horror story.
A C-segment sedan, the Forte was redesigned from the ground up in 2018 for the 2019 model year. Facelifted in late 2021 for 2022, this fellow is the second best-selling nameplate in Kia's lineup for the US market. No fewer than 84,398 examples were delivered between January 2023 and August 2023, putting the Forte right behind the Sportage. To whom it may concern, the compact-sized crossover utility vehicle enjoyed 96,022 deliveries in this period.
Slotted between the soon-to-be-discontinued Rio and K5, the Forte carries a starting price of $19,790 (sans destination charge). By comparison, the South Korean automaker's entry-level crossover utility vehicle for the US market retails at $19,990. The Seltos and Sportage start at $24,390 and $27,090.
Covered by a 10-year limited powertrain warranty, the Forte comes with either a 2.0-liter I4 or 1.6-liter I4. The smaller engine is turbocharged, meaning 201 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per minute and 195 pound-feet (264 Nm) at 1,500 to 4,500 revolutions per minute. By comparison, the standard engine belts out 147 at 6,200 rpm and 132 (179) at 4,500 rpm.
It's also worth noting that the 2.0er uses good ol' multi-point injection as opposed to direct injection for the 1.6er. A manual is optionally available for the GT, the sportiest grade on sale today. The GT comes standard with an intelligent variable transmission, which is also standard – and the only transmission available – for the GT-Line, LXS, and LX grades.
The Forte's main competitors are the 2024 Honda Civic and 2024 Toyota Corolla. At the present moment, the segment's best-selling sedans retail at $23,950 and $21,900 (excluding destination charge).
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