MyCarTSB

2021 Kia Forte Steering Problems

8 owner-reported steering complaints from NHTSA data

8
Complaints
1
Recalls
1
Crashes
Jan 2022Sep 2021
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Steering Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #22V304000

STEERING:COLUMN

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.

Fix: 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.

Owner Complaints (8)

highSTEERING
Filed: Apr 2025

Your power steering system may delay activating after the car has been driving straight, causing stiff resistance when you try to steer. When the assist suddenly kicks in, it can overcorrect your steering input and create an unstable back-and-forth steering pattern, especially at highway speeds. This unpredictable behavior requires constant two-handed control and increases the risk of drifting into another lane or losing control. A technician will need to diagnose the electric power steering motor's response timing and likely replace or reprogram the steering control module.

NHTSA #: 11653119
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Aug 2024

There is loud sound associated with the steering column! It has locked on me before and wouldn’t allow me to turn the vehicle. It has been to the dealership several times only for them to not be able to pinpoint the issue.i have a video but no pictures.

NHTSA #: 11607671
mediumSTEERING
Filed: Feb 2024

The electric steering column motor has worn parts causing the steering wheel to make a rubbing noise. There is a TSB out for this problem but for cars only manufactured in certain plants. My car was not manufactured in one of the plants that generated the TSB but I have that problem and Kia will not fix it. TSB CHA 084

NHTSA #: 11573666
mediumSTEERING,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2024

Transmission overheating and dragging… weird smell and noise and scrubbing sound when turning the steering wheel. Only 50k miles on car

NHTSA #: 11563455
mediumSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2023

I am so sadden and broke. My Kia 2021 Forte was stollen.The car has just about 8k miles. The thieves had busted rear passenger side glass, torn down steering column, opened electric wiring Skelton and taken away the car. Police said they found my damaged car. I was also told that my damaged car was towed and was kept at auto body shop. I'm so depressed, upset. Its difficult to express in words how saddened I'm at loss in all aspects - physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially since the vehicle was stolen.

NHTSA #: 11525170
mediumSTEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2022

My main issue is concerning a critical design flaw that has been found due to a social media challenge called the Kia Challenge where people are able to start up and steal a Kia after only using a USB cord adapter (found near the key start on the steering wheel) without needing a key. This has caused a concerning increase in the theft of Kias across the country which has also affected my insurance rates. After repeatedly trying to contact Kia for two days on August 2nd and August 3rd, I was finally able to get in contact with customer service concerning the recent issue with Kias (model years of 2011 to 2021 with manual key start steering wheels) that are being stolen by just using a USB cord to turn on the car without a key. After waiting on hold for an hour, the customer service agent was extremely rude and uncaring about my concerns as my area is also being affected by these recent car thefts. My insurance rates have also gone up due to the overall riskiness of owning these cars and their likelihood of being stolen because it has a key start for the engine. After doing research on the information available to me, I found out that Kia higher-ups approved measures to cut the costs by not including automobile immobilizers that have been the industry standard for a little over 20s years. It makes no sense that my older 2018 model Camry has industry standard parts but my 2021 Kia Forte does not. I am highly aggravated that I am stuck having to pay for a vehicle that has a higher likelihood of being stolen all because the company wanted to save a few dollars and not include immobilizers on their cars until the 2022 models. I am highly upset that Kia, their reps, and dealers have displayed an abhorrent lack of concern in trying to fix this issue as this prevents me from having to go to important job sites for work. This issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible. Link to story https://www.insider.com/tiktok-kia-challenge-using-usb-cables-to-steal-cars-2022-7

NHTSA #: 11477416
mediumSTEERING,LANE DEPARTURE
Filed: Jan 2022

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.

NHTSA #: 11445798
mediumSTEERING
CrashFiled: Sep 2021

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

NHTSA #: 11432804

Other 2021 Kia Forte Issues