2021 Kia Forte Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2021 Kia Forte most often describe engine trouble that starts with oil loss or unusual engine noise and ends in a stall or loss of power, frequently past 20,000 miles. A second, quite different group of complaints covers theft and break-in attempts, with the steering column cover removed and the car started without a key. Steering noise or binding, transmission hesitation, and air bags that did not deploy in a crash also recur in the sample.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine oil loss leading to knocking or stall

   • 30 complaints (43%)
   • median 93,532 mi at 2.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe the car using oil quickly between changes, sometimes a quart within a week, then developing a hard knock or rattle and losing power on the road. Several say a shop found little or no oil in the engine, and a few note an oil drain plug missing shortly after an oil change. Complaints mention engine replacement or lower-engine repair being discussed, and some owners say warranty coverage was declined once mileage passed a threshold. Reported from roughly 11,000 to 125,000 miles, many between 20,000 and 110,000 miles, sometimes shortly after an oil change.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for a burnt smell on the dipstick, and ask for oil-change records showing how much oil was added between services. A service bulletin describes an oil-consumption inspection, so ask whether it has been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My Kia forte 21 that I owned for less than 2 years, stalled out while driving on 20 April 23. The engine light came on. I checked the oil and there was none , despite having regular maintenance being performed. No light indicators appeared informing me that my vehicle had no oil left. My vehicle had 21,234 miles when the engine failed. Kia has yet to contact me or assist me with this matter. I could’ve possibly died while driving on the highway and my car randomly stalling out.”

   NHTSA complaint #11524584, filed 2023-05, 21,234 miles

   “I am writing to report a serious safety concern involving my Kia vehicle. Shortly after getting an oil change, my car began making unusual noises and then suddenly stopped working in the middle of a busy intersection. This unexpected stall created a dangerous situation for both myself and other drivers. After having it towed to the dealership, it comes down to an engine malfunction which was not covered by my warranty since it just hit 70,000 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11696940, filed 2025-11
2. 2
   Other or unknown

   Vehicle stolen or broken into without a key

   • 12 complaints (17%)
   • typically at 2.0 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe the car being taken using only a broken window and a method around the steering column and ignition, without a key or fob. Owners report repeat attempts, damaged steering column covers and wiring, higher insurance premiums, and difficulty finding insurers. Several mention asking the dealer for an added immobilizer or security update and being told nothing could be done at the time. Reported across the model year at low mileage, including cars under 10,000 miles, and often described as a repeated attempt.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether the anti-theft software upgrade and window decals were installed, and whether a steering wheel lock or aftermarket immobilizer is fitted.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There is no kill switch. this is a new car but doesn't have the push start. So, I have gotten it stolen twice. It's still at body shop. I had to pay 500 twice for detectible and I asked while they have car if Kia could put a safety feature, so it doesn't happen again they told me Kia is doing nothing at this time. Please I need answers. We don't want this car anymore.”

   NHTSA complaint #11447312, filed 2022-01

   “It keeps getting broken into by the KIA boys in attempt of theft. It's a group that targets KIAs because they're easy. I now have to make sure my steering wheel is locked up. I was recently hit by another driver, i had to go to the hospital but for some reason the airbag did not deploy. I need some assistance”

   NHTSA complaint #11766285, filed 2026-09
3. 3
   Air bags

   Air bags not deploying in a collision

   • 9 complaints (13%)
   • typically at 2.6 yrs old
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe frontal and side impacts, some at highway speed, where no air bags deployed despite substantial damage. A few also report the passenger air bag or seat belt reminder chiming with an empty seat, and seat belts that will not stay latched or retract. Complaints say the vehicle was repaired or totaled without the dealer diagnosing why the air bags stayed put. Reported across a wide mileage range, from nearly new cars to ones well over 100,000 miles, in varied crash conditions.

   Recall 21V164000

   What to check: Check that the air bag warning lamp behaves normally at startup and that the passenger seat sensor reads correctly with and without an occupant, and ask whether the occupant detection recall work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I got into an accident by being struck by lightning. I lost consciousness when I came to I was very confuse. I was in the side of a bridge with my foot on the brake looking at a river. My car was totally! My airbags didn’t even deploy. I’ve been paying the price for this with higher insurance rates with an accident on my record. No police report was filed or called because I was fine just confused. Even with it being an act of god, I’m paying for it”

   NHTSA complaint #11455458, filed 2022-03

   “On May 13, 2023, I was involved in a severe frontal collision on the passenger side while driving my 2021 Kia Forte. The impact caused significant damage, and my insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. Despite the severity of the crash, none of the airbags deployed. I experienced body pain for several days following the accident. Given the nature of the collision and the damage sustained, the airbags should have deployed to protect the occupants. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11713406, filed 2026-01
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering noise, binding or loss of assist

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • median 150,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Complaints describe a rubbing or loud noise from the steering column, resistance followed by a sudden release when making small corrections, and in some cases the wheel locking or the car pulling to one side. Owners report repeated dealer visits without a clear diagnosis, and one notes a service bulletin exists for a steering column noise but was said not to apply to their car. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 150,000 miles, with several cases described during highway driving.

   Recall 22V304000

   What to check: Listen for rubbing or clicking from the column while turning at low speed and check for uneven or sticky effort on small corrections. Ask whether the steering column bolt recall was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have noticed recently that the car keeps all of a sudden pulling to the right and I have not had the lane assistance on since a week after I bought the car. It is at 4000 miles right now and this problem began at approximately 3000 miles. Not sure if anyone else has noticed this but if it is just as if the lane assistance was turned on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11445798, filed 2022-01

   “The electric steering column motor has worn parts causing the steering wheel to make a rubbing noise. There is a TSB out for this problem but for cars only manufactured in certain plants. My car was not manufactured in one of the plants that generated the TSB but I have that problem and Kia will not fix it. TSB CHA 084”

   NHTSA complaint #11573666, filed 2024-02
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission hesitation, slipping and erratic shifting

   • 6 complaints (9%)
   • median 35,642 mi at 1.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2025

   Owners report jerking, revving without acceleration, grinding or clicking noises at low speed, and occasional loss of power while merging or climbing. Some say the transmission was replaced or the computer reset, and that the behavior came back afterward. One owner describes the dealer confirming erratic computer shifting rather than a slipping transmission. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 60,000 miles, often during acceleration or on inclines.

   What to check: Drive at low speed and on a grade, watching for hesitation, grinding or delayed engagement, and ask for any transmission service or software reset history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “It seems the car may have a defect in the transmission(Dual Clutch). The car makes at times an abrupt stop, for like a second or two, after I press on the gas. When I'm driving, especially at low speeds I can hear the transmission's parts make a grinding sounds, loud clicks. When I'm breaking, it's not smooth at all; I feel the car pulling a bit when switching to lower gears during the breaking process. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11490568, filed 2022-10

   “The transmission went out while driving, entering the highway. It was intermittently missing a gear or slipping in about 2nd or 3rd gear. I first noticed it going about 40 mph and trying to accelerate to highway speeds. It was during a winter storm and other vehicles behind me had to brake unexpectedly. I wasn't sure if I felt for sure, so I continued to drive through many inclines and declines. The inclines became more difficult and the inability to maintain consistent speeds. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11643881, filed 2025-02

Buying note. Ask for oil-change records and check the oil level yourself, since oil loss and engine noise are the most common themes in this sample. Also confirm the anti-theft software update and steering column recall work were completed before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 58 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.