YearToAvoid

2021 Kia Forte Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

21/100

#12 most-complained of 15 Forte years

The 2021 Kia Forte has a complaint index of 21, ranking 12th worst out of 15 model years, and is rated "Best" among Forte years. It carries 2 recalls (steering and airbags) and 68 NHTSA complaints, led by engine issues at 34% share.

Complaints
68
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
11 / 0
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
31
27 city / 37 hwy

Top 2021 Kia Forte problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine23 (34%)
  2. Other20 (29%)
  3. Electrical System9 (13%)
  4. Steering9 (13%)
  5. Airbags7 (10%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain7 (10%)
  7. Structure & Body4 (6%)
  8. Fuel System3 (4%)
  9. Seat Belts3 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (4%)

What owners report

  • Steering wheel locks or the front wheel binds while slowing or turning, sending the car off the road or into a barrier.
  • Airbags fail to deploy in frontal or side-impact crashes despite seatbelt use and visible collision damage.
  • Seat belts reportedly fail to retract after a crash even when airbags did not fire.
  • Windshields show clusters of micro bubbles that become highly visible and distracting when sunlight passes through the glass.
  • Tires reportedly split or blow out on both sides of the vehicle at the same time during normal driving.
  • Brakes squeak persistently despite dealer servicing, and owners report tire pressure readings far above the sidewall maximum.
2021 Kia Forte complaints: complaints filed per month8Feb 2021Dec 2021May 2022May 2023Mar 2024Nov 2024Jun 2025Jan 2026
94 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2022 (8).

2021 Kia Forte recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V304000May 5, 2022Steering30 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 21V164000Mar 11, 2021Airbags142 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger

    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."

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

2021 Kia Forte fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
37 MPG
Combined
31 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,100
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Forte years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Good43147234
2020Best1476031
2021Best2168231
2022Best027131.5
2023Caution64623 !31

All Kia Forte years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Kia Forte reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2021 Forte has a complaint index of 21, the second-lowest among 15 model years, earning a "Best" rating relative to other Forte years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Kia Forte?
Engine issues are the top complaint area, accounting for 23 of 68 complaints (34% share), with a median failure mileage of 93,532 miles.
Does the 2021 Kia Forte have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: one for a steering column bolt that may loosen (campaign 22V304000) and one for an airbag occupant detection system that may not sense a child seat (campaign 21V164000).
How does the 2021 Forte compare to other years?
Its complaint index of 21 ranks 12th worst of 15 years tracked, making it one of the better Forte years, behind only 2020, 2022, and 2024 in reported problems.
What fuel economy does the 2021 Kia Forte get?
EPA rates the 2021 Forte at 31 mpg combined (27 city / 37 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,100.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.