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2021 Kia Forte

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Forte.

The 2021 Kia Forte features an engine system maintained with 4.7 quarts of oil, accommodating a versatile 5W-20, 5W-30, or 10W-30 viscosity range to suit various operating conditions. When viewed against the model's full complaint history from 2009 to 2024—which saw a high of 437 complaints in 2014 and a low of just one in 2009—this model year presents a distinctly moderate reliability profile. Accumulating 67 total owner complaints and 2 recalls with the engine as the top complaint area, the 2021 Forte sits firmly in the middle of the model's reliability timeline, indicating a stabilized but still closely monitored point in the vehicle's evolution.

Model year2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.7 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 / 10W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque80.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnEXTOEM · verified

Tire size225/45R17 91WOEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	182.7 in
Overall width	70.9 in
Overall height	56.7 in
Wheelbase	106.3 in
Curb weight	2769 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Forte of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 2022 GT Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2020	GT Sedan 1.6L Turbo I-4	6.70 sec	15.00 sec	201 hp	FWD
2022	GT Sedan 1.6L Turbo I-4	6.40 sec	14.90 sec	201 hp	FWD
2019	EX Sedan 2.0L I-4	8.10 sec	16.40 sec	147 hp	FWD
2019	EX Sedan 2.0L I-4	8.10 sec	16.40 sec	147 hp	FWD
2019	EX Sedan 2.0L I-4	8.20 sec	16.40 sec	147 hp	FWD
2019	EX Launch Edition Sedan 2.0L I-4	8.70 sec	16.70 sec	147 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.7 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 / 10W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80.0-94.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 4
Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 4
Clutch Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 4
Clutch Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine Coolant	Ethylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity	7.3 qt
Engine Coolant	Ethylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity	7.0 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	Use new bolts only.
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	145.0-152.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	53.0-56.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	87.0-94.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	26.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	25.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

80.0-94.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	Checking Speed: 630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	Checking Speed: 100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)	Speed-Up Speed: 630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)	Speed-Up Speed: 100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	Checking Speed: 640 in Neutral rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	Checking Speed: 100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)	Speed-Up Speed: 680 in Neutral rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)	Speed-Up Speed: 100 rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	1.04-1.16 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46YF
Oil Capacity	3.53-4.23 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 47

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	70.0-75.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	48.0-54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	Pressure must be > 73.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	16.0-23.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 58.0-; Rear: 47.0-
ABS Sensor Torque	6.4
Minimum Pad Thickness	Disc: 0.079"; Drum: 0.039" in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 15; Rear: .331
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.0002"
Maximum Rotor Runout	Front: .0016; Rear: .0012
Maximum Drum Diameter	8.079

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

M6 Bolts

9–10 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

34.0-38.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 38-42°

34–38 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°

22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 42,000 mi.

Every 6,000 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Air Intake System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 12,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 24,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 mi	Fuel Line (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 42,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 48,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The Kia Forte's federal record shows a distinct downward trend in complaints across its generation, peaking at 437 complaints in 2014 before dropping significantly in the newer generation. The 2021 model year falls within this lower, stabilized arc, registering just 67 complaints compared to 71 in 2020 and 25 in 2022. For the 2021 Forte, the primary complaint categories are Engine (14), Unknown or Other (8), Steering (5), and Power Train (4), though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. While the vehicle carries two recalls and 10 crash complaints, it notably has zero fire complaints and no open federal investigations. Given its position in a mature phase of the vehicle's lifecycle with historically low complaint volumes, the 2021 Kia Forte is a strong, lower-risk option for a used car buyer.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

10 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20’21’22 ’23 ’24

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 67 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine14

Unknown Or Other8

Steering5

Power Train4

Tires3

Air Bags3

Air Bags,Seat Belts2

Structure2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V164000Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control ModuleReported 11/03/2021

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… 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…

22V304000Steering:ColumnReported 05/05/2022

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 71 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
CS2312_TSB_R2	2026-06-08	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_ELE422	2026-05-27	Electrical System	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM…
TSB_CS2312_R1	2026-02-18	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_CS2312	2025-12-17	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
CS2312_OWNR	2025-12-17	Structure	CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Forte. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 4.7 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Forte take?

4.7 qt of Non Turbo Engines: 5W-20 is preferred. 5W-30 can be used if 5W-20 is unavailable. Temperatures above 0°F: 10W-30; Turbo Equipped Vehicles: 5W-30 is preferred. 5W-40 can be used if 5W-30 is unavailable. Temperatures above 0°F: 10W-30; Temperatures above 14°F: 15W-40; Temperatures above 20°F: 20W-50, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Forte have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.