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2021 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD

1
Recalls
14
Complaints
Overall rating

Safety Ratings.

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings help consumers compare vehicle safety when searching for a car. More stars mean safer cars.

Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
Overall Front Star Rating

Combines Driver and Passenger star ratings into a single frontal rating. The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

Front Driver Side
Front Passenger Side
Overall Side Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Driver
Passenger
Overall Side Pole Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Rollover Star Rating

The Rollover Resistance test measures the risk of rollover in a single-vehicle, loss-of-control scenario.

Rollover Risk: 10.7%

Complaints
Recalls

14 Complaints

for 2021 KIA FORTE
02/03/2022
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 08/14/2021
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 3KPF34AD3ME******
Summary

I was in a head on accident at 45mph air bags did not deploy . was wearing my seatbelt and had a head injury due to hit the steering wheel with my head

01/26/2022
Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Incident Date: 01/26/2022
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 3KPF24ad7me******
Summary

It’s been flashing for no reason. I literally just turned on my car. I did get an oil change earlier today

01/13/2022
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 12/06/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 3KPF24AD7ME******
Summary

There is no kill switch. this is a new car but doesn't have the push start. So, I have gotten it stolen twice. It's still at body shop. I had to pay 500 twice for detectible and I asked while they have car if Kia could put a safety feature, so it doesn't happen again they told me Kia is doing nothing at this time. Please I need answers. We don't want this car anymore.

01/01/2022
Components: STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE
Incident Date: 11/29/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 3KPF34AD6ME******
Summary

I have noticed recently that the car keeps all of a sudden pulling to the right and I have not had the lane assistance on since a week after I bought the car. It is at 4000 miles right now and this problem began at approximately 3000 miles. Not sure if anyone else has noticed this but if it is just as if the lane assistance was turned on. I have also noticed that when I have my work bag which is approximately 40 pounds in my lunchbox in the front seat without the seatbelt connected the seatbelt warning does not come on like it did in my last car with the same items on the seat. Not sure if there is a different weight limit now but I figured I would add this in in case there isn’t.

12/28/2021
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 12/28/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 3KPF34AD5ME******
Summary

I got my car April 18 2021. It is a 2021 car and i got it off the lot with only 30 miles. I had the car for only 2 months and my breaks were already making a squeaky noise. I took it in to get them replaced I asked why i needed new ones sooo quick and i was told that maybe the manufacturer breaks weren’t good. I took my car in again December 28 2021 because the breaks are making a squeaky noise AGAIN and my car is only at 7k miles. I’ve had my car for 8 months and have had my breaks changed twice when I shouldn’t of even had to get them changed because my car hasn’t even reached the mile li mit for new break pads. This is absurd.

09/16/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 04/15/2021
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 3KPF34AD2ME******
Summary

The contact owns 2021 Kia Forte. The contact stated the brakes would constantly squeak when making a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that it was not a failure. The contact stated while she was parking the vehicle in a parking lot, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The contact stated the vehicle inadvertently accelerated on its own and crashed into a building. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained injuries on the chest but she did not seek medical assistance. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The dealer was made aware of the failure and did not provide any assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 3000.

09/13/2021
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/13/2021
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 3kpf24ad6me******
Summary

while coming to a stop, the passenger side front wheel locked up forcing the car into a sharp right had turn which put the car into a ditch, striking cement barrier at bottom of ditch. car likely totalled

09/03/2021
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 08/25/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 3KPF54AD0ME******
Summary

I bought a brand new Kia Forte with 30 miles on it in February. In April I took it to the dealership for the breaks squeaking. The dealership stated they put conditioner on my breaks. Took the car back again in may for the breaks still squeaking. The dealership changed my oil when that was not what I called and asked for. Had to wait another hour for the dealership to look over the breaks. They stated they put conditioner on the rotors. Brought the car back again in July for breaks squeaking still. They replaced the front end breaking system. August 25, 2021. Was driving and heard a clanking noise under my car. Pulled over. The break caliper on the driver side back end was broken. Had to get the car towed to the dealership.

08/11/2021
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 04/19/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 3KPF34AD3ME******
Summary

Bought the KIA 4/192021 from Camelback KIA - Phoenix, AZ. Drove the car home to Green Valley. Approximately 2 months later checked the tires air pressure and discovered that 3 of the tires were at 52 PSI and 1 was at 51 PSI. After checking with a neighbor who owns 2 KIA Fortes with KUMHO tires about the PSI (which is the max PSI located on the sidewall) he said he thought that was wrong. I called Camelback to confirm if that was what they should be kept at - left a message. After 3 failed attempts getting a call back from Camelback and 3 contacts with KIA via their website (no return contacts). I finally contacted KUMHO who emailed me that I should follow the recommendations listed on the car door - 33PSI. My concern is are the tires now dangerous after nearly 3000 miles at 51 - 52 PSI? I have been told that driving with the tires at that max PSI causes excessive wear in the center especially in the Arizona heat. Neither Camelback or KIA has ever contacted me - 6 total attempts. Tires are 225/45 R17 Kumho Majesty Solus.

08/04/2021
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 08/04/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 3KPF34AD3ME******
Summary

I purchased my 2021 Kia Forte and have had it for only 6 months. The tires are new and the size are 225/45/R17 Majestic Solus tires both tires front driver side and Back driver side exploded at the same time. I was driving when both tires went exploded at the same time. I thought at first maybe I went over a nail, then when I pulled over I saw both tires had torn in half, the tires looked like they are shredded. I have taken a picture of the road and direction and the street was cleared. I had to take to the kia dealership to have them both replaced. Very upset had to pay for 2 tires. At first they thought I had went over something although when you look at the tires both have the same type of damage. I was driving when this happened I was worried I could have caused an accident. Please everyone be safe and careful. I am out money because of these tires.. New car no reason for this to happen. These tires need to be reinspected.

06/28/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 06/23/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 3KPF24AD0ME******
Summary

6/20/2021 Miles when purchased: 18. I bought my Kia Forte and drove it home to Livermore from San Jose without any problem. 6/21/2021 & 6/22/2021 I did not drive anywhere. 6/23/2021 I drove to Dublin Bowl from Livermore. When I returned home (Livermore) and was pulling into my driveway, as I pressed on the accelerator the car completely lost power. When I let off on the accelerator and pressed it again, the car lurched forward, and I had to quickly brake to avoid crashing into my garage door. 6/24/2021 I did not drive anywhere. 6/25/2021 I drove to Dublin Bowl from Livermore. When I was leaving the parking lot, again pressing the accelerator produced a complete loss of power. Letting off the accelerator and easing it back down produced normal operation. This scared me as there were pedestrians present and I was not sure how much control I had on speed. While I was driving home on I-580 at freeway speed, I tried to change lanes. As I tried to accelerate, I experienced a complete loss of power. I had to swerve back into my lane and let off the gas and ease it back down to produce normal operation. Total miles to date: 140. Not driving car now.

06/28/2021
Components: EQUIPMENT
Incident Date: 06/24/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 3KPF24ADXME******
Summary

ENGINE CONSUMING TOO MUCH OIL. DEVELOPED WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE A "LIFTER TAP". AFTER FURTHER DIAGNOSIS, PARAMOUNT KIA DETERMINED LOWER ENGINE NEEDS REPAIR. CYLINDERS ONE AND 3 ARE ISSUES. PARAMOUNT KIA CLAIM THEY ONLY WANT TO REPLACE LOWER ENGINE. 2021 KIA FORTE LXS 11K MILES.

03/15/2021
Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Incident Date: 12/02/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 3KPF44AC0ME******
Summary

IN NORMAL DRIVING AND LIGHTING CONDITIONS MY AUTO GLASS APPEARS CLEAR AND NO VISIBLE ISSUES. HOWEVER, AS SOON AS THE SUN IS SHINING DIRECTLY THROUGH THE GLASS, THEN THOUSANDS OF WHAT APPEAR TO BE MICRO BUBBLES APPEAR AND SEVERELY IMPACTS THE DRIVERS VISION ESPECIALLY THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO FOCUS ON THE ROAD AHEAD.

02/20/2021
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 12/02/2020
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 3KPF24AD6ME******
Summary

DECEMBER 2,2020 I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 33 WEST AND EXITED THE EXIT AT CANAL WINCHESTER. I WAS DRIVING TOWARDS THE LEFT SIDE OF RAMP AND THE STEERING WHEEL TOOK CONTROL AND SLAMMED ME INTO A CEMENT BARRIER. WEATHER WAS 44 DEGREES AND AT 4 PM IN THE EVENING.*DT*JB*JB*DT*DT*JB*JB*DT*JB*JB

1 Recalls

for 2021 KIA FORTE
11/03/2021
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V164000
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.
Campaign Number: 21V164000
Manufacture: Kia Motors America
Components: AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
Summary

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."

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

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