The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 22 of 69 complaints (32%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 78 in 2020 to 69 in 2021.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 69
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $1,800–$2,200
- Combined MPG
- 28–35
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,800–2,000 | 1,800–2,200 | 1,800–2,200 | 1,800–2,400 | 1,850–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 31–35 | 28–35 | 28–35 | 26–35 | 26–34 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 27–31 / 37–41 | 25–31 / 32–41 | 25–31 / 32–41 | 22–31 / 31–41 | 22–30 / 31–41 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 256–290 | 256–326 | 256–326 | 256–348 | 261–348 | |
| Complaints filed | 150 | 78 | 69 | 28 | 66 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 11 | 9 | 11 | 3 | 11 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Forte have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Kia Forte?
Engine: 22 of 69 NHTSA complaints (32%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Forte get?
EPA rates it 28–35 MPG combined across 5 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Kia Forte?
EPA estimates $1,800–$2,200 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 27 mpg | 35 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 296 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg (low) | 32 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | $2,200 (high) | 326 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 31 mpg (high) | 41 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | $1,800 (low) | 256 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 29 mpg | 40 mpg | 33 mpg | $1,900 | 270 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 27 mpg | 37 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 290 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 9 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 20 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
STEERING:COLUMN
- Defect
- Kia 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.
- Consequence
- Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers 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.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE; AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Defect
- Kia 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."
- Consequence
- In 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.
- Remedy
- Kia 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.