2021 Kia Forte
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 68 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 16 Forte model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 11 involved a crash. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Steering, columnMay 5, 2022
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.
Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V304000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleMar 11, 2021
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."
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.
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.
Campaign 21V164000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: seat belts
3 reports, newest first. Show all
Seat belts, Oct 2, 2025
So i took my car to sands kia in surprise az about my seat belts. Both the front driver and passenger belts come unlatched while driving. They said out of warranty so i would have to pay or they will do nothing. This should be a Kia issue. Obviously a defect in the seat belts. I can be driving on freeway and multiple times they will come unlatched while driving. So instead of having both hands on the steering will. I have to fiddle around to get it to latch again. It is a legal requirement to have working seat belts and u feel kia should fix this issue. I told them this and that i didn't feel this was something i should have to pay for and the service writer just asked me if i was leaving then. Hope there is no accident because seat belts won't work and there will be a lawsuit.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 5, 2025
Passenger air bag/seat belt goes off like someone is sitting in passenger seat but no one is. Have to do seat belt for the alert stops
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 28, 2024, crash
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at 20 MPH and attempting to complete a left turn. another driver failed to stop at a red light, as a result, the contact's mother was struck by the other vehicle on the passenger's side; however, the air bags did not deploy. In addition, the seat belt failed to retract. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop for body repair but was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to determine why the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and injuries were reported. The contact's mother did not initially seek medical treatment but was later treated by a chiropractor for back pain resulting from non-descript injuries sustained during the accident. The contact also stated that his mother had later been involved in 2 additional vehicle accidents during which the air bags again failed to deploy; no further police reports or injuries were reported. Following the third and most recent incident, the vehicle again was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnosis though the contact's mother was informed by the body repair shop that the collision was insufficient to trigger air bag deployment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.