2021 Kia FORTE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Kia FORTE has 95 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: car completely shut down while in drive on 2 separate occasions leading it to be towed to dealership..

12 crash reports 7 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

22 complaints

23%

• Car completely shut down while in drive on 2 separate occasions leading it to be towed to dealership.
• Ticking sound under hood at 35000 miles
• While driving down the highway, the entire crank pulley system fell out from under the car and onto the highway.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Car completely shut down while in drive on 2 separate occasions leading it to be towed to dealership.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

19 complaints

20%

• 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
• 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 pres
• ENGINE CONSUMING TOO MUCH OIL. DEVELOPED WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE A "LIFTER TAP". AFTER FURTHER DIAGNOSIS, PARAMOUNT KIA DETERMINED LOWER ENGINE NEEDS REPAIR. CYLINDERS ONE AND 3 ARE ISSUES. PARAMOUNT KIA CLAIM THEY ONLY WANT TO REPLACE LOWER ENGINE. 2021 KIA FORTE LXS 11K MILES.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

9 complaints

• while coming to a stop, the passenger side front wheel locked up forcing the car into a sharp right had turn which put the car into a ditch, striking cement barrier at bottom of ditch. car likely totalled
• 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
• My main issue is concerning a critical design flaw that has been found due to a social media challenge called the Kia Challenge where people are able to start up and steal a Kia after only using a USB cord adapter (found near the key start on the steering wheel) without needing a key. This has cause

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“while coming to a stop, the passenger side front wheel locked up forcing the car into a sharp right had turn which put the car into a ditch, striking cement barrier at bottom of ditch. car likely totalled”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

9 complaints

• Car completely shut down while in drive on 2 separate occasions leading it to be towed to dealership.
• Car stalled and shut off while in drive leading it to be towed.
• A defect in 2021 Kia Forte vehicle engine start and security systems allows for the rear window to be broken without an alarm activation and the car to be started without a key or key-like device. The vehicle can be started with something as simple as a screwdriver. Vehicles of this make and model a

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“Car completely shut down while in drive on 2 separate occasions leading it to be towed to dealership.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

7 complaints

• Car stalled and shut off while in drive leading it to be towed.
• 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, ve
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Car stalled and shut off while in drive leading it to be towed.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 95 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: Car completely shut down while in drive on 2 separate occasions leading it to be towed to dealership.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: while coming to a stop, the passenger side front wheel locked up forcing the car into a sharp right had turn which put the car into a ditch, striking cement barrier at bottom of ditch. car likely totalled
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: Car completely shut down while in drive on 2 separate occasions leading it to be towed to dealership.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)