When backing up the steering, key, and wheel all lock. I was backing up so I was already going very slow. When pressing on the brake the car slows down but still moves very slow until it cant move anymore. I try to jiggle out the key and put the car in lock but I just jiggle everything until something unlocks. It has happened 3 times since I got the car in march 2020.
2020 Kia Forte steering problems
severe 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 3 steering complaints filed for the 2020 Kia Forte, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 13 model years of Kia Forte we track for steering problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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…
Had steering trouble with your 2020 Kia Forte?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2020 Kia Forte?
It's a meaningful issue. 3 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 4,750 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Kia/Forte.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.