YearToAvoid

2021 Kia Forte Engine Problems

Engine complaints account for 23 of 68 total complaints on the 2021 Kia Forte, or 34%. Owners report engine noise, oil loss, stalling, and knocking, with a median failure mileage of 93,532 miles. No related recalls are listed for this issue.

Engine complaints
23
34% of 68
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
93,532 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine develops loud lifter or rod-knock noise that owners say persists despite regular oil changes.
  • Some vehicles lose oil unexpectedly between changes, leading to stalling and warning lights despite maintenance records showing service was current.
  • Sudden loss of power or complete engine shutdown while driving at highway speed, sometimes preceded by rattling noise from the engine compartment.
  • Vehicle stalls or bogs down shortly after a routine oil change, with no prior warning lights.
  • Misfire codes across multiple cylinders reported alongside melted or corroded battery terminal connections.
  • One owner reported the crank pulley system detaching and falling out from under the moving vehicle.

When 2021 Kia Forte engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 13, 2022, latest Apr 24, 2026.

2021 Kia Forte engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Mar 2022Aug 2022Oct 2023Nov 2024Jul 2025Jan 2026
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2022 to Apr 2026; peak May 2022 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2021 Kia Forte

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Forte model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201085 (39%)
  2. 201157 (37%)
  3. 2012170 (58%)
  4. 2013111 (57%)
  5. 2014226 (51%)
  6. 2015163 (63%)
  7. 201677 (57%)
  8. 2017163 (54%)
  9. 201869 (51%)
  10. 201945 (31%)
  11. 202025 (33%)
  12. 202123 (34%)
  13. 20227 (26%)
  14. 202311 (18%)
  15. 20247 (28%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2021 Kia Forte?
NHTSA lists 23 engine complaints for the 2021 Kia Forte, which is 34% of the 68 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Kia Forte engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine issue on the 2021 Kia Forte.
At what mileage do 2021 Kia Forte engines typically fail?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 93,532 miles, though some owners reported issues as early as 21,234 miles.
What symptoms do owners report before engine failure?
Owners describe loud knocking or lifter noise, unexpected oil loss, stalling, misfire codes, and sudden loss of power while driving.
Have any engine failures caused crashes or fires?
NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 0 fires linked to the 23 engine complaints for the 2021 Kia Forte.

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.