Is your car affected?
Check by VIN to confirm the
exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (2)
Steering: column
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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: sensor, occupant classification
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."
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Canadian recalls (2)
Show 2 Canadian recalls
Engine
2025-02-18 · campaign 2025-083
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the piston oil rings may not have been manufactured properly and could damage the cylinder walls. As a result, the engine could make abnormal noises, and a warning light may turn on. If you continue to drive the vehicle with these symptoms, the engine could fail.
Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 2.0L MPI engine.
Safety Risk:
An engine failure could cause a sudden loss of power to the wheels and/or increase the risk of a vehicle fire. Both issues could increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Corrective Actions:
Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine. The dealer will also install a software that will monitor the engine and warn you if it detects a problem. If you see this warning, you should contact a dealership to arrange replacement of the engine.
Steering
2022-05-06 · campaign 2022-238 · 6 vehicles
Issue:
On a small number of vehicles, the bolt connecting the lower steering column universal joint may not have been properly tightened. If the bolt loosens, you could lose steering control.
Safety Risk:
A loss of steering control could create a risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to bring your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and tighten the lower steering column universal joint bolt, as necessary.
Owner complaints (69)
Owners filed 69 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Forte (11 crashes, 7 injuries reported). Among 16 model years of this model, it ranks #12 for the most complaints (median 150).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Engine | 22 | |
| Unknown or other | 18 | |
| Steering | 9 | |
| Electrical system | 8 | |
| Air bags | 7 | |
| Power train | 7 | |
| Seat belts | 4 | |
| Tires | 3 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Kia Forte.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2021 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | 4★ | 4★ | 5★ | 4★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2021 Kia Forte version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Forte 1.6 L Automatic (AM-S7) | 27 | 35 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Forte 1.6 L Manual 6-spd | 25 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Forte 2.0 L Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 29 | 40 | 33 | $2,050 |
| Forte 2.0 L Manual 6-spd | 27 | 37 | 31 | $2,150 |
| Forte FE 2.0 L Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 31 | 41 | 35 | $1,900 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.