Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2023 | 15 | 23% | 1,000 miles |
| 2022 | 4 | 14% | 77,000 miles |
| 2021 | 9 | 13% | 150,000 miles |
| 2020 | 3 | 4% | 5,000 miles |
| 2019 | 9 | 6% | 10,000 miles |
| 2018 | 5 | 4% | 7,000 miles |
| 2017 | 9 | 3% | 46,000 miles |
| 2016 | 5 | 4% | 36,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% | 2,000 miles |
| 2014 | 64 | 14% | 60,000 miles |
| 2013 | 13 | 7% | 29,000 miles |
| 2012 | 9 | 3% | 93,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% | 96,000 miles |
| 2010 | 11 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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. During this sequence, the driver-side front suspension assembly sustained a catastrophic separation before the impact The steering knuckle was no longer attached to the vehicle, the strut was broken, and the driver-side wheel/tire ultimately ended up underneath the vehicle when the vehicle finally come to a stop . During the event The driver-side axle shaft completely detached and somehow come out of the transaxle housing and was found a significant distance back along the roadway, a great distance back before the initial impact . …
I was driving home, on my way while driving I approached a curve on my way around the curve my vehicle continued to accelerate to the right as I was going around the curve. I tried to redirect the vehicle back to the left by trying to turn the steering wheel towards the left but I could not control the direction of the way the vehicle continued on. Still trying to turn the steering wheel back towards the left it kept to the right and ran off the road into a tree. Also once impact occurred i don't remember if the airbags deployed because my head was laying flat on the steering wheel. Once the emergency services arrived I was accessed and removed from the vehicle and transported to the hospital emergency. There were no warning lights or messages what so ever ahead of the accident. A claim with the insurance was filed and also a complaint with the Kia manufacturer was filed. …
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became inoperable, with an abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound while attempting to make a turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the failure was confirmed in the dealer database. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired; however, the dealer confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 77,371.
I got into an accident i On December 10th, 2023 my car was totaled out. My steering wheel felt like it was doing its own thing and I crashed straight into a curb and some rocks. I was injured and they had just fixed my steering because of the recall but I don't know if they did it correctly
The contact owned a 2021 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the steering wheel locked independently, causing the vehicle to veer off the road into a construction site. The contact stated that the air bags did deploy. The contact stated that she sustained noise and neck injuries, including placenta rupture, causing early labor. Medical attention was required. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
while coming to a stop, the passenger side front wheel locked up forcing the car into a sharp right had turn which put the car into a ditch, striking cement barrier at bottom of ditch. car likely totalled
Steering wheel is turning completely around and made a noise. I noticed my steering wheel is loose it has been like that for time. But yesterday was the first time it turned completely around were I could not control it.
My 18 year old daughter was the driver. The car was parked on a residential street, facing the direction she wanted to go. The street went downhill in front of her. She started the car. When she began to drive, the steering felt very stiff, she could barely steer. She started driving anyway. Then the brakes did not work. In fact, she said that pressing the brake seemed to make the car go faster (or this could have just been the effect of the hill). So she accelerated down a substantial hill with no braking power. At the bottom of the street (approx. 1/4 mile) is a t-intersection. She crossed the street, the car went up onto the curb opposite, proceeded through some bushes, knocked down a fence as it went between a tree and a brick wall, ran into a bird bath, and then came to a stop in someone's yard. Fortunately the car stopped before it got to the house itself. …
Related recalls (2)
Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front left steering knuckle may crack, which can result in a loss of steering control.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front left steering knuckle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2023. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
Steering › Column
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Forte years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (64), 2023 (15), 2013 (13), 2010 (11) and 2012 (9) model years. Steering complaints make up 14% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Kia Forte steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 22V-906 (arm, Dec 8, 2022); 22V-304 (column, May 5, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Forte steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the column (1 mentions), followed by the steering wheel/handle bar (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.