Representative model. Photo: SsmIntrigue, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2021 Kia Forte recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2021 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 2
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 69
Latest campaign: May 5, 2022

Recall summary by component2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Steering	1	May 5, 2022	22V304000
Air bags	1	Mar 11, 2021	21V164000

Safety recalls2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

May 5, 2022Latest campaign


May 5, 202222V304000	Steering: column Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V304000 What's wrong 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 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. Campaign NHTSA 22V304000 · May 5, 2022
Mar 11, 202121V164000	Air bags: air bag/restraint control module 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V164000 What's wrong 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 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. Campaign NHTSA 21V164000 · Mar 11, 2021

May 5, 202222V304000

Steering: column

Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 22V304000

What's wrong: 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: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 22V304000 · May 5, 2022

Mar 11, 202121V164000

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

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.

DetailsHide details for campaign 21V164000

What's wrong: 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: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 21V164000 · Mar 11, 2021

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2021 Kia Forte? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component69

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

69Complaints filed

11Involving a crash

0Involving a fire

7Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Injuries
Engine	22	32	0	0
Unknown or other	18	26	4	3
Steering	9	13	2	0
Electrical system	8	12	1	0
Air bags	7	10	6	5
Power train	7	10	0	0
Seat belts	4	6	1	1
Structure	3	4	1	1
Fuel/propulsion system	3	4	0	0
Tires	3	4	0	0
Lane departure	2	3	0	0
Forward collision avoidance	2	3	0	0
Equipment	2	3	0	0
Service brakes	2	3	0	0
Hydraulic	2	3	0	0

4 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Seat belts
“The seatbelt comes unbuckled without cause often and the lane keeping assistance pulls the car of to the right unprovoked.”
Filed 10/04/2026 · ODI 11768878
Air bags
“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.”
Filed 09/23/2026 · ODI 11766285
Engine
“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.”
Filed 04/24/2026 · ODI 11733651

Other Kia Forte model years

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2021 Kia Forte recall questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Forte have?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Forte. The most recent, 22V304000 (reported May 5, 2022), concerns steering. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Kia Forte?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 22 complaints out of 69 filed with NHTSA (32%). Across all complaints, owners reported 11 crashs and 0 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2021 Kia Forte?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer.

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