2021 Kia Forte Safety Report

2021 Kia Forte: Good Crash Ratings, But Engine Failures and Steering Issues Raise Safety Concerns

64Complaints
2Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
55/100Reliability Score
9Crash Reports
6Injuries
Most reported components: Engine (12)Unknown Or Other (8)Power Train (4)Steering (4)Tires (3)Air Bags (3)Air Bags,Seat Belts (2)Structure (2)Unknown Or Other,Engine (2)Equipment (2)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Kia Forte

The 2021 Kia Forte presents a mixed safety profile based on NHTSA data. While it achieved respectable crash test ratings, including a 4-star overall rating, 4-star frontal, 5-star side, and 4-star rollover rating, the vehicle has a notable number of complaints, particularly concerning the engine and power train. With 64 total complaints, 9 crashes, and 6 injuries reported, there are clear areas of concern. A significant pattern involves engine issues, accounting for 12 complaints, with descriptions of oil burning, sudden stalls, and engine knocking, sometimes leading to complete engine failure. This suggests a potential systemic problem beyond routine maintenance. Recall history for the 2021 Forte includes two significant safety recalls. One addresses a potentially improperly secured bolt in the steering column, which could lead to a loss of steering control and increase crash risk. The other recall pertains to the Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit, which might not detect a child restraint, increasing the risk of injury to a child if the front passenger airbag deploys in a crash. These recalls highlight critical manufacturing defects that could severely impact safety. Beyond the recalls, common complaint patterns include power train issues (4 complaints), steering problems (4 complaints, some describing loss of assist or abnormal noises), and even airbag non-deployment in crashes (3 complaints, despite the OCS/ODS recall). The high number of engine-related complaints, some leading to vehicle immobilization, raises concerns about long-term reliability and safety, especially given the potential for sudden loss of power on highways. The combination of good crash test scores with concerning real-world complaint data, particularly regarding engine and steering, indicates that while the vehicle performs well in controlled crash scenarios, its operational reliability and component integrity are areas of concern.

Reliability Score

The 2021 Kia Forte receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2021 Kia Forte

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Kia Forte:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Engine Failure/Oil Consumption
Multiple complaints describe rapid oil consumption, engine knocking, sudden stalls, and complete engine failure, sometimes shortly after oil changes. This can lead to loss of motive power while driving.		 High Common unknown miles
Steering Column Detachment/Malfunction
A recall addresses a bolt in the steering column that may not be secured, potentially causing detachment and loss of steering control. Other complaints mention abnormal noises and loss of power steering assist.		 High Occasional unknown miles
Airbag Non-Deployment/Ocs/Ods Malfunction
A recall exists for the OCS/ODS unit failing to detect child restraints. Additionally, some crash complaints report airbags failing to deploy despite severe impact.		 High Occasional unknown miles
Power Train/Transmission Issues
Complaints include the transmission jerking, revving, slipping gears, and overheating, leading to loss of acceleration or vehicle immobilization.		 Medium Occasional 50000-100000 miles
Vehicle Theft Vulnerability
Several complaints highlight the lack of an engine immobilizer, making the vehicle highly susceptible to theft, often involving damage to the steering column.		 High Common unknown miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Kia Forte:

Engine 18% of complaints

Frequent reports of oil burning, sudden stalls, knocking sounds, and complete engine failure, sometimes leading to vehicle immobilization.

Unknown Or Other 12% of complaints

A significant number of complaints categorized as 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' often relate to general vehicle malfunctions or theft vulnerability not fitting other categories.

Power Train 6% of complaints

Issues with the transmission, including jerking, slipping, overheating, and loss of acceleration.

Steering 6% of complaints

Problems with the steering column, including a recall for detachment, abnormal noises, and loss of power steering assist.

Air Bags 4% of complaints

Complaints about airbags not deploying in crashes and issues with the Occupant Classification System.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Kia Forte

Is the 2021 Kia Forte safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 Kia Forte received good crash test ratings (4-star overall, 5-star side). However, it has 64 total complaints, 9 crashes, and 6 injuries reported. Significant safety concerns arise from two recalls (steering column and airbag system) and numerous complaints about engine failure, sudden stalls, and airbag non-deployment in crashes, which could compromise real-world safety despite its crash test performance.

What are common problems with the 2021 Kia Forte?

The most reported issues for the 2021 Kia Forte are engine-related (12 complaints), including rapid oil consumption, knocking, and sudden stalls. Other common problems involve the power train/transmission (4 complaints), steering system (4 complaints, including a recall for potential detachment), and airbags (3 complaints, including a recall for child restraint detection and reports of non-deployment).

Are there any recalls for the 2021 Kia Forte?

Yes, there are two recalls for the 2021 Kia Forte. One recall addresses a potentially improperly secured bolt in the steering column that could lead to loss of steering control. The second recall concerns the Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit, which may not detect a child restraint, increasing injury risk if the front passenger airbag deploys.

Does the 2021 Kia Forte have engine problems?

Yes, the 2021 Kia Forte has a notable number of engine-related complaints (12 out of 64 total). These complaints describe issues such as rapid oil burning, engine knocking, sudden loss of power, and complete engine failure, sometimes occurring without warning or shortly after maintenance.

Is the 2021 Kia Forte prone to theft?

Yes, several complaints indicate that the 2021 Kia Forte is highly vulnerable to theft due to the lack of an engine immobilizer, a known issue affecting many Kia and Hyundai models from this era. This vulnerability often results in significant damage to the vehicle's steering column and ignition system.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: While the 2021 Kia Forte has decent crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of significant reported issues including engine failures, steering problems, and theft vulnerability; thorough pre-purchase inspection and verification of recall completion are highly recommended.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Kia Forte

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Kia Forte. The data includes 64 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 9 reported crashes, 6 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Kia Forte an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.