Vehicle Recall IndexVIN decoding & NHTSA recall records

Model year 2021 · Kia

2021 Kia Forte recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Forte. The most recent was reported on May 5, 2022. Campaigns are matched by the model names in NHTSA's records: FORTE.

NHTSA data through October 6, 2026 · How these pages are built

Campaigns at a glance

Recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Forte, newest first
NHTSA numberReportedComponent
22V304000May 5, 2022Steering › Column
21V164000March 11, 2021Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module

Systems involved: Air Bags (1) · Steering (1)

Recall records

NHTSA 22V304000Manufacturer no. SC235

Steering › Column

Report received by NHTSA
May 5, 2022
Owner notification
May 27, 2022
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
30 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
FORTE

Defect summary

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.

Safety 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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

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.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 22V304000, filed by Kia Motors America. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 21V164000Manufacturer no. SC207

Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module

Report received by NHTSA
March 11, 2021
Owner notification
March 18, 2021
Recall initiated by
Manufacturer
Units potentially affected
142 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record
FORTE

Components: Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module; Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger

Defect 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."

Safety 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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

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.

Source: NHTSA recall 21V164000, filed by Kia Motors America. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

Records reproduce NHTSA's published text for each campaign. Last record date for this page: May 6, 2022.