2021 Kia FORTE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
28,438 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 67 complaints (32.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 14 | 20.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 10.4% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 10.4% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 10.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 22 |
| Unknown Or Other | 17 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
Engine: 22; Unknown Or Other: 17; Steering: 8; Electrical System: 7; Air Bags: 6; Power Train: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Seat Belts: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 59 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2021: 10; 2022: 21; 2023: 5; 2024: 13; 2025: 11; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11397070 · 2021-02-20 (February 20, 2021)
DECEMBER 2,2020 I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 33 WEST AND EXITED THE EXIT AT CANAL WINCHESTER. I WAS DRIVING TOWARDS THE LEFT SIDE OF RAMP AND THE STEERING WHEEL TOOK CONTROL AND SLAMMED ME INTO A CEMENT BARRIER. WEATHER WAS 44 DEGREES AND AT 4 PM IN THE EVENING.*DT*JB*JB*DT*DT*JB*JB*DT*JB*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11397070 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11450155 · 2022-02-03 (February 3, 2022)
I was in a head on accident at 45mph air bags did not deploy . was wearing my seatbelt and had a head injury due to hit the steering wheel with my head
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11450155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11464701 · 2022-05-15 (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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11464701 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11469144 · 2022-06-14 (June 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,642 miles reported. Look up ODI 11469144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11422621 · 2021-06-28 (June 28, 2021)
6/20/2021 Miles when purchased: 18. I bought my Kia Forte and drove it home to Livermore from San Jose without any problem. 6/21/2021 & 6/22/2021 I did not drive anywhere. 6/23/2021 I drove to Dublin Bowl from Livermore. When I returned home (Livermore) and was pulling into my driveway, as I pressed on the accelerator the car completely lost power. When I let off on the accelerator and pressed it again, the car lurched forward, and I had to quickly brake to avoid crashing into my garage door. 6/24/2021 I did not drive anywhere. 6/25/2021 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11456502 · 2022-03-13 (March 13, 2022)
Car stalled and shut off while in drive leading it to be towed.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11456502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433195 · 2021-09-16 (September 16, 2021)
The contact owns 2021 Kia Forte. The contact stated the brakes would constantly squeak when making a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that it was not a failure. The contact stated while she was parking the vehicle in a parking lot, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The contact stated the vehicle inadvertently accelerated on its own and crashed into a building. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained injuries on the chest but …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11433195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11525170 · 2023-06-03 (June 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11525170 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11548829 · 2023-10-07 (October 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11548829 at NHTSA ↗