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2021 Kia Forte

Gas
Midsize Cars
5 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
84 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA67
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA35 mpg
202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Kia Forte is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Forte FE, is EPA-rated at 35 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 67 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Forte FEGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl314135$1,800
ForteGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl294033$1,900
ForteGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl273731$2,000
ForteGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo273530$2,100
ForteGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo253228$2,250

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42783, 42784, 42785, 42781, 42782.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Kia Forte is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Steering

SC235
30 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskLoss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V304000reported May 5, 2022Kia Motors America
▲high

Air Bags

SC207
142 vehicles
ProblemKia 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."RiskIn 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.FixKia 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V164000reported Mar 11, 2021Kia Motors America

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
67complaints filed

10 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 6 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 10 · 2022: 21 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 13 · 2025: 11 · 2026: 7

Most-cited components

Engine22
Unspecified17
Steering9
Electrical System9
Power Train7
Air Bags6

What owners describe

“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…”Oct 24, 2022 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“My car was stolen from in front of my home, they were able to steal my brand new car because they popped off the bottom steering wheel cover and used an iphone charger to start the ignition and drive away.”Aug 4, 2022 · Equipment · NHTSA owner report
“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 caused a concerning incre…”Aug 3, 2022 · Steering · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: lane departure warning.

Other Forte model years

A

2024 Kia Forte

0 recalls · 24 complaints

D

2023 Kia Forte

3 recalls · 61 complaints

A

2022 Kia Forte

1 recalls · 26 complaints

A

2020 Kia Forte

0 recalls · 74 complaints

B

2019 Kia Forte

2 recalls · 147 complaints

C

2018 Kia Forte

3 recalls · 136 complaints

C

2017 Kia Forte

3 recalls · 301 complaints

A

2016 Kia Forte

1 recalls · 137 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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