KnownCarProblems2021 Kia Forte Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 69 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Forte, most often about the engine (32% of complaints). It is 12th of 16 Forte model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2021 Kia Forte problems
Engine
22 complaints · 32%My Kia Forte 21 that I owned for less than 2 years, stalled out while driving on 20 april 23. The engine light came on. I checked the oil and there was none , despite having regular maintenance being performed. No light indicators appeared informing me that my vehicle had no oil left. My vehicle had 21,234 miles when…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cylinders…
Other or unspecified
18 complaints · 26%December 2,2020 I was driving on route 33 west and exited the exit at canal winchester. I was driving towards the left side of ramp and the steering wheel took control and slammed me into a cement barrier. Weather was 44 degrees and at 4 pm in the evening.
The contact owns 2021 Kia Forte. The contact stated the brakes would constantly squeak when making a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that it was not a failure. The contact stated while she was parking the vehicle in a parking lot, the brake…
Steering
9 complaints · 13%Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar.
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…
Electrical
8 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: ignition.
Air bags
7 complaints · 10%Transmission
7 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started to decelerate while the RPM increased. The contact pulled over to the side and notice the vehicle smoking but there was no fire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact towed the vehicle to a local dealer…
Driver assistance
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: assist, warnings.
Seat belts
4 complaints · 6%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Kia Forte recalls
Steering: column
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: front passenger
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.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2021 Kia Forte
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Forte?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (22 complaints); other or unspecified (18 complaints); steering (9 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Forte have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 5, 2022 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Kia Forte?
- It is 12th of 16 Forte model years by number of complaints, with 69 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.