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
68 reports, newest first.
Engine, Jun 27, 2024
I get regularly scheduled oil changes but the car is making a noise like a rod knock
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 10, 2024
I purchased this care new, and the manufacture did not disclose that the vehicle was NOT made with an engine immobilizer, or any theft prevention outside a basic door lock. (Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, No. 8:22-ML-3052 JVS(KESx) (C.D. Cal.). I've already stopped the theft once and scared away the thief's, but now I can't find insurance companies to insure the vehicle. The 2 companies that I did find for insurance, charge 15% of the value of the vehicle for comprehensive and collision coverage. Even with the useless class action lawsuit settlement to upgrade the software, this is NOT stopping the thieves from breaking into the cars, and NOT impressing the insurance companies either as they won't insure this expensive asset. I've never seen so much deception in the automotive industry. The government should mandate a recall to install a KIA or aftermarket security system in this car with a starter kill & visual blinking lights to stop the theft. They should also be required to make national awareness messages to communicate that all affected vehicles will have security systems installed and theft will no longer be possible. This would STOP the problems and continuing extreme costs to the customers.
Structure, May 13, 2024
The hood on my car seems to be loose as it rattles when closed and driving. It does appear to be latched, however I'm concerned that the hood will come loose and blow up in front of the windshield while driving causing a life threatening accident. The hood bumpers on the inside of the hood are not adjustable, and/or long enough to cushion the hood to stop the rattling either.
Other or unspecified, Mar 6, 2024
Driving down the highway and sunroof exploded. Sounded like a gun shot
Steering, Feb 23, 2024
The electric steering column motor has worn parts causing the steering wheel to make a rubbing noise. There is a TSB out for this problem but for cars only manufactured in certain plants. My car was not manufactured in one of the plants that generated the TSB but I have that problem and Kia will not fix it. TSB CHA 084
Engine, Jan 11, 2024
While driving on the interstate, multiple dash lights came on, the engine started knocking and shutting down. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and was found that the oil plug had fallen out, causing the oil to drain out and ruin the motor.
Steering, Engine, Jan 4, 2024
Transmission overheating and dragging… weird smell and noise and scrubbing sound when turning the steering wheel. Only 50k miles on car
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 7, 2023
Service engine light turns off then comes back on. Get message engine failure. Scanner at dealership scanned 15 codes relating to misfires on all cylinders. Positive battery terminal caked up real bad causing arcing and melting plastic. Last I heard from dealership was possibly a engine replacement.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 3, 2023
I am so sadden and broke. My Kia 2021 Forte was stollen.The car has just about 8k miles. The thieves had busted rear passenger side glass, torn down steering column, opened electric wiring Skelton and taken away the car. Police said they found my damaged car. I was also told that my damaged car was towed and was kept at auto body shop. I'm so depressed, upset. Its difficult to express in words how saddened I'm at loss in all aspects - physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially since the vehicle was stolen.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 31, 2023
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 engine failed. Kia has yet to contact me or assist me with this matter. I could’ve possibly died while driving on the highway and my car randomly stalling out.
Other or unspecified, May 5, 2023
I was driving down a highway with no other cars near me and heard a loud noise (sounded like a gunshot). I pulled over and my sunroof had exploded. The glass was facing upwards not downwards. It appears it exploded from the inside not by a foreign object.
Engine, Jan 30, 2023
Engine is very noisy for quite some time before getting quiet. 40000 miles. Lifters making a lot of noise. Possibly a failing oil pump.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2022
My vehicle was stolen and recovered a couple of days later. The only damage to the vehicle is a broken window and broken ignition dash Currently trending is the Kia challenge where vehicles from 2011-2021 are missing tan anti-theft feature that makes it an easier target to steal. Kia is aware of this and not doing anything about this, not even sending a letter advising their customer of this trend and how we can protect our vehicles. The vehicles need to be recalled because currently millions of customers are driving a vehicle that can be stolen at any time with something as basic as a USB cable. Kia needs to take responsibility and accountability for this major flaw. Now customers have to be left dealing with the insurance and proving to them they are not involved in their own vehicle thefts. I have police report number, still waiting for the actual police report.
Power train, Oct 24, 2022
It seems the car may have a defect in the transmission(Dual Clutch). The car makes at times an abrupt stop, for like a second or two, after I press on the gas. When I'm driving, especially at low speeds I can hear the transmission's parts make a grinding sounds, loud clicks. When I'm breaking, it's not smooth at all; I feel the car pulling a bit when switching to lower gears during the breaking process. When I have the car on and not moving (i.e parked), I can hear sounds emanating from the bottom of the car, like parts grinding against other parts. I have not seen any indicator light turn on from the vehicle, to this day. I have taken it to the dealership before, more than once, but they haven't found any issues with it. Still I feel they have not done a full inspection of the car, and I feel something is off with the transmission, like there's something loose somewhere in the car.
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 21, 2022
1.Vehicle on spots of highway will apply the forward collision warning system and suddenly brake that may cause a collision with vehicle behind it. 2. Theft is sweeping the nation for Kia/Hyundai vehicles and this vehicle is a target. Hyundai/Kia need to install security protocols on their product as this should have been on the product since purchase.
Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2022
My car was stolen. Steering column busted ignition switch taken out. Passenger side window busted.
Equipment, Aug 4, 2022
My car was stolen from in front of my home, they were able to steal my brand new car because they popped off the bottom steering wheel cover and used an iphone charger to start the ignition and drive away.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 3, 2022
My main issue is concerning a critical design flaw that has been found due to a social media challenge called the Kia Challenge where people are able to start up and steal a Kia after only using a USB cord adapter (found near the key start on the steering wheel) without needing a key. This has caused a concerning increase in the theft of Kias across the country which has also affected my insurance rates. After repeatedly trying to contact Kia for two days on August 2nd and August 3rd, I was finally able to get in contact with customer service concerning the recent issue with Kias (model years of 2011 to 2021 with manual key start steering wheels) that are being stolen by just using a USB cord to turn on the car without a key. After waiting on hold for an hour, the customer service agent was extremely rude and uncaring about my concerns as my area is also being affected by these recent car thefts. My insurance rates have also gone up due to the overall riskiness of owning these cars and their likelihood of being stolen because it has a key start for the engine. After doing research on the information available to me, I found out that Kia higher-ups approved measures to cut the costs by not including automobile immobilizers that have been the industry standard for a little over 20s years. It makes no sense that my older 2018 model Camry has industry standard parts but my 2021 Kia Forte does not. I am highly aggravated that I am stuck having to pay for a vehicle that has a higher likelihood of being stolen all because the company wanted to save a few dollars and not include immobilizers on their cars until the 2022 models. I am highly upset that Kia, their reps, and dealers have displayed an abhorrent lack of concern in trying to fix this issue as this prevents me from having to go to important job sites for work. This issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible. Link to story https://www.insider.com/tiktok-kia-challenge-using-usb-cables-to-steal-cars-2022-7
Engine, Jun 27, 2022
While driving down the highway, the entire crank pulley system fell out from under the car and onto the highway.
Power train, Jun 14, 2022
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, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,642.
Engine, Other or unspecified, May 28, 2022
Ticking sound under hood at 35000 miles
Seats, May 20, 2022
When I abruptly have to step on the brakes to stop the vehicle, the backseat behind the driver and the middle seat fall forward. This has happened multiple times.
Tires, May 16, 2022
Recall
Power train, Vehicle speed control, May 15, 2022
Vehicle has issues where transmission actuator will stop functioning causing sudden loss of acceleration. Was doing 70 MPH in expressway and vehicle stopped accelerating. Issue has occurred two times, both times being serviced by Dealership, after receiving the vehicle back, issue still persists, vehicle lost acceleration suddenly when turning into a intersection.
Other or unspecified, Electrical system, Apr 11, 2022, crash
A defect in 2021 Kia Forte vehicle engine start and security systems allows for the rear window to be broken without an alarm activation and the car to be started without a key or key-like device. The vehicle can be started with something as simple as a screwdriver. Vehicles of this make and model are being targeted by criminal activity and it is a safety concern for Kia consumers and drivers. Kia is aware of this defect and has issued a statement that all future vehicles will come with improved safety systems and an engine immobilizer, but no recall on vehicles before the 2022 model year have been made for repairs or adjustment to solve the issue. My 2021 Kia Forte was stolen from my house while I was home and which failed to cause a triggered alarm. There were no possessions in the car and the vehicle was locked. The individual who stole the vehicle only had to pull off my steering column cover and the ignition box to steal the vehicle. This is a rising concern throughout the nation, and Milwaukee currently has a class action suit for this safety defect. A new car with no history of problems and very little usage should not have this problem.