2021 KIA Forte Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Forte years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 12th of 16 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 69 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 KIA Forte. That ranks 12th out of 16 Forte model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (22 complaints, 32%), typically at around 93,532 miles. Complaints mention 11 crashes, 7 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
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- 69owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 11complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 KIA Forte problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 22 | 32% | 93,532 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 18 | 26% | 3,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 9 | 13% | 150,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 8 | 12% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 7 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 7 | 10% | 35,642 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1% | 2,100 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 KIA Forte recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Steering:column
Problem: 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.
Risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger; air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The seatbelt comes unbuckled without cause often and the lane keeping assistance pulls the car of to the right unprovoked.
It keeps getting broken into by the KIA boys in attempt of theft. It's a group that targets KIAs because they're easy. I now have to make sure my steering wheel is locked up. I was recently hit by another driver, i had to go to the hospital but for some reason the airbag did not deploy. I need some…
Driving under normal conditions April 20,2026, on the way to school. Got off the freeway and the vehicle immediately shut-off and the check engine light came on. Vehicle was stuck partially in the roadway and would not move. Vehicle was towed to Kia dealership and they found that there was no oil…
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…
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a serious safety issue involving my 2021 Kia Forte. Approximately one year ago, I purchased this vehicle used with approximately 56,000 miles. I have owned the vehicle for nearly a year without prior incident until a recent and…
Other KIA Forte years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Forte | 26 | 0 |
| 2023 Forte | 65 | 3 |
| 2022 Forte | 28 | 1 |
| 2021 | 69 | 2 |
| 2020 Forte | 78 | 0 |
| 2019 Forte | 149 | 2 |
| 2018 Forte | 136 | 3 |
| 2017 Forte | 305 | 3 |
| 2016 Forte | 136 | 1 |
| 2015 Forte | 260 | 1 |
| 2014 Forte | 444 | 3 |
| 2013 Forte | 195 | 5 |
| 2012 Forte | 292 | 4 |
| 2011 Forte | 154 | 3 |
| 2010 Forte | 221 | 3 |
| 2009 Forte | 1 | 0 |
See all KIA Forte problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
Similar KIA models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 KIA Forte?
Owners most often report engine, unknown or other, steering problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 22 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 KIA Forte?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 KIA Forte a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Forte model years, the 2021 has far fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.