Model year
2021 Kia Forte
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 69 complaints for the 2021 Kia Forte (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (22), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (18), STEERING (8). NHTSA rated the 4 DR FWD 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 28–35 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,900–$2,400, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2010 221 complaints
- 2011 154 complaints
- 2012 292 complaints
- 2013 195 complaints
- 2014 444 complaints
- 2015 260 complaints
- 2016 136 complaints
- 2017 305 complaints
- 2018 136 complaints
- 2019 149 complaints
- 2020 78 complaints
- 2021 69 complaints
- 2022 28 complaints
- 2023 65 complaints
- 2024 26 complaints
Recalls
22V304000 · May 5, 2022
STEERING:COLUMN
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.
21V164000 · Mar 11, 2021
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER; AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
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…
Complaints
69 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 11, fire flag on 0, injury field 7, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.107 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte · 1.6L · Automatic (AM-S7) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 35 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Forte · 1.6L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 32 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Forte FE · 2L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 31 | 41 | 35 | — | — | $1,900 |
| Forte · 2L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 29 | 40 | 33 | — | — | $2,050 |
| Forte · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 37 | 31 | — | — | $2,150 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 Kia Forte at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.