Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Kia Forte problems

Owners filed 69 complaints about the 2021 Kia Forte with NHTSA between Feb 2021 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (22).

Complaints
69
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
11
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine22
  2. Steering9
  3. Electrical system8
  4. Air bags7
  5. Power train7
  6. Seat belts4
  7. Structure3
  8. Fuel/propulsion system3
  9. Tires3
  10. Lane departure2
  11. Forward collision avoidance2
  12. Equipment2
  13. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  14. Exterior lighting1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
202110
202221
20235
202413
202511
20269

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

22 reports
“Driving under normal conditions April 20,2026, on the way to school. Got off the freeway and the vehicle immediately shut-off and the check engine light came on. Vehicle was stuck partially in the roadway and would not move. Vehicle was towed to Kia dealership and they found that there was no oil in the engine and that the oil drain plug was completely missing. This problem caused catastrophic engine failure resulting in the need for a full engine replacement. A routine oil change had been conducted approx. 2,000 miles prior to this on January 12, 2026. The vehicle had been driven daily since that oil change with no noticeable oil leak or problems preceding this event. Had this event occurred at freeway speeds, it could have caused serious injury to the driver and other motorists on the roadway at that time. It appears that the drain plug fell out since there was no other additional or noticeable damage to the oil pan or surrounding the drain plug itself. This information was confirmed by a photograph taken by the dealership conducting the repairs.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 24, 2026EngineODI 11733651

Steering

9 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owned a 2021 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the steering wheel locked independently, causing the vehicle to veer off the road into a construction site. The contact stated that the air bags did deploy. The contact stated that she sustained noise and neck injuries, including placenta rupture, causing early labor. Medical attention was required. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 24, 2026SteeringCrash reportedODI 11733681

Electrical system

8 reports1 crash
“The issue I’m having was confirmed by the dealership so when I drive on the highway, there’s a specific patch of highway that zigzags the car will follow that zigzag after getting off of the highway onto regular road. The car computer system will start a down shift erratically and feel like the car is pulling backwards. Also there is a lack of acceleration and it feels like the transmission is slipping, but I have confirmed with the dealership that the transmission was not slipping that the computer was shifting erratically. They would reset the computer and the car would would begin driving in a more normal state shifting correctly. I get on the highway again. The car once again will start shifting erratic. When you let go of the gas, the car downshift so many times that the car almost comes to a complete stop without hitting the brakes. The dealership has the car once again trying to figure out what’s going on with the car and why when I go on the highway the computer starts shifting erratically on that specific patch of highway. The car will pull left and right the entire time once you get off the highway the erratic shifting happens the dealership let me…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2024Power train, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11623941

Air bags

7 reports6 crashes1 related recall
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Air bags, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11766285

Power train

7 reports
“Transmission, yes it’s available. I was driving on the highway and the vehicle began jerking and revving, slowing down and then speeding up. It is at a service center now. Now lamps”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 18, 2025Power trainODI 11655387

Seat belts

4 reports1 crash
“The seatbelt comes unbuckled without cause often and the lane keeping assistance pulls the car of to the right unprovoked.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2026Seat belts, Lane departureODI 11768878
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.