Recall 24V244 affects 215 2023 Kia Forte cars for an improperly welded lower control arm. Do not drive. Free repair at a franchised Kia dealer.
Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. If it must move, ask the Kia dealer about towing. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 215 2023 Forte sedans because the right front lower control arm was improperly welded and can fail. Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control and raise crash risk. Do not drive the vehicle until a Kia dealer completes the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The right front lower control arm on the 2023 Kia Forte is a suspension link under the front passenger-side corner. It connects the wheel assembly to the vehicle structure and helps hold that wheel at the correct angle as the suspension moves over bumps, turns, and braking loads. The arm also carries forces from the tire back into the body of the car.
On affected Forte vehicles, the welded joint in that right front lower control arm was not made correctly by the supplier. A weak weld leaves the arm with less strength than intended. Under driving loads, the joint can crack or separate, which can cause the control arm to fail.
There is no warning sign before failure. The vehicle does not give the owner a reliable early symptom that the weld is weak or that the lower control arm is about to fail.
Who's affected?
| 2023 Kia Forte | lower control arm |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 215 |
Not every 2023 Kia Forte sedan is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. If it must move, ask the Kia dealer about towing. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023 Kia Forte is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the right front lower control arm repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact your nearest franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free right front lower control arm replacement for the improperly welded part that can fail.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one. If not, reference recall number 24V244 when you call.
- Call Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 with questions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician replaces the right front lower control arm covered by recall 24V244. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Do not drive the vehicle until the repair has been performed. If you already paid for this control arm repair, Kia's standard reimbursement plan covers documented repair expenses. Bring receipts or other repair documentation to the service desk, or contact Kia customer service and ask how to submit the reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 1, 2024 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 12, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| April 12, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 17, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 17, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 24V244?
Recall 24V244 covers 215 2023 Kia Forte vehicles with a right front lower control arm that was improperly welded and can fail. Failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control and raise crash risk. Kia dealers will replace the right front lower control arm for free.
What should I do if my 2023 Kia Forte is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific 2023 Kia Forte is included in recall 24V244. If it is, do not drive the vehicle. Call a franchised Kia dealer or Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542, ask about towing, and reference Kia recall SC306.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Kia's remedy says dealers will replace the right front lower control arm free of charge. Use a franchised Kia dealer for the recall repair.
What does do not drive mean for this recall?
Do not drive the vehicle until the right front lower control arm has been replaced. This includes short trips. The official remedy tells owners to keep the vehicle out of service until the repair is complete, so ask the Kia dealer about towing if the vehicle has to move.
When were owners notified about recall 24V244?
Kia mailed owner notification letters on April 17, 2024. If you bought the Forte used or never received a letter, the free recall repair still follows the vehicle. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Kia dealer and reference recall SC306.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/24V244000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 24V244 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 24V244000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →