2021 Kia Forte problems and complaints
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Forte. The most-reported areas: Engine (22), Unknown Or Other (17), Steering (9).
Key takeaways
- 67 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 10 involve a crash, 0 a fire, 6 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 22 | 33% |
| Unknown Or Other | 17 | 25% |
| Steering | 9 | 13% |
| Electrical System | 8 | 12% |
| Power Train | 7 | 10% |
| Air Bags | 6 | 9% |
| Structure | 3 | 4% |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 4% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | 4% |
| Tires | 3 | 4% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Engine - filed 2026-04-24
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 in the engine and t...
Steering - filed 2026-04-24
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 place...
Engine - filed 2026-04-18
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 significant failure oc...
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More for the 2021 Kia Forte
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.