Most-reported problems

Across 67 owner complaints filed on the 2021 Kia Forte

• Engine33%
• Unknown or Other25%
• Steering13%
• Electrical System12%
• Power Train10%
• Air Bags9%

Share of complaints naming each system — a signal of what owners report most on this model, not a failure rate. The denominator is people who filed a complaint, not every owner. Complaints are filed with the US regulator; the same models are sold in Canada.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns issued by the manufacturer

• Air Bags · Air Bag/restraint Control Module

  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."

  Campaign 21V164000

• 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.

  Campaign 22V304000

Recall campaigns are manufacturer-issued and fixed free of charge. This is the US campaign set matched by year, make and model — it is not a check against a specific VIN, and Canadian campaigns may differ.