Photo: GabboT / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2021 Kia Forte: common problems and reliability
An average Forte year.
68 owner complaints, most about engine. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Forte?The 2021 Kia Forte has 68 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and steering. Owners most often flag cvt/ivt transmission reliability concerns: noted for premature failure, especially in belt-driven units from 2019 to mid-2021; design updated to chain-driven in 2021+ models.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Kia Forte vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Forte years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the Forte?
Across the 16 Forte model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2009) to 885 (2014). With 68 complaints, the 2021 Forte sits below the model's median of 147.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 Forte
air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Campaign 21V164000Kia 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."
steering:column
Campaign 22V304000Kia 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on model year and powertrain.
- RecurrentCVT/IVT transmission reliability concerns
Noted for premature failure, especially in belt-driven units from 2019 to mid-2021; design updated to chain-driven in 2021+ models.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Forte. See the full Forte owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Forte listings typically run $15,679–$18,438 across 2014 to 2024 model years.
Other Forte model years
Compare every Forte year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Forte against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy