A low-complaint late Forte
The 2021 Forte has a low complaint rate. Rare engine failures and theft vulnerability reports.
Updated November 2026 · based on 69 owner complaints and 2 recalls
61 74% below the Forte average
2 free to fix at a dealer
Every Forte year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2021 Forte
Top problems and what they cost
Engine failure
Rare engine failures.
Fix: Under warranty
Engine
Theft vulnerability
Key-start Kias were targeted by thieves; a free software update helps.
Fix: Free anti-theft software update
Other
Recalls
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.
Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2021 Kia Forte
- Ask whether the anti-theft software update was done.Paperwork shows whether known problems on this car were already fixed. No records means you should assume the work still needs doing and price it in.
- Check the oil level.Some engines burn or thin their oil. A low or high level, a gas smell on the dipstick or blue smoke are warning signs, and regular oil changes show the engine was looked after.Owners filed 10 complaints about engine knocking and failure on the 2021 Forte.
Questions
Is the 2021 Kia Forte reliable?
A low-complaint late Forte. The 2021 Forte has a low complaint rate. Rare engine failures and theft vulnerability reports.
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Forte have?
2 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2021 Kia Forte problems?
Engine failure; Theft vulnerability.
Crash rating shown for the 2021 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.