2021 Kia
FORTEProblems & recalls

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MISFIRE CONCERN DUE TO OVERRUNNING ALTERNATOR DECOUPLER - This bulletin provides information to address unresolved misfire events on some 2020–2024MY Forte (BDm) produced from January 1, 2019 through September 30, 2024, and 2020–2022MY Soul (SK3) vehicles produced from November 1, 2018 through May 31, 2022 equipped with a Gamma 1.6L T‑GDI engine. In certain cases, misfire symptoms may persist after completing normal diagnostic procedures and replacing ignition‑related components (spark plugs, ignition coils, and fuel injectors). If misfire concerns remain after these repairs are performed, excessive torsional oscillation of the Overrunning Alternator Decoupler (OAD) pulley may be the contributing factor. This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the OAD pulley with the updated Overrunning Alternator Pulley (OAP) kit and associated damper components.

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 20, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles, a protective cover will be permanently affixed to the ignition cylinder. This Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector prevents the removal of the key lock cylinder thereby preventing access to the ignition tumbler.

Campaign / software reference: CS2312

Components: STRUCTURE:BODY. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at update.kia.com. The software update may improve system performance, enhance existing features, and apply the latest operating software for supported vehicles (2021-2026MY All Models).

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 20, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whole Integrated Body control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Ant-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles, a protective cover will be permanently affixed to the ignition cylinder. This Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector prevents the removal of the key lock cylinder thereby preventing access to the ignition tumbler.

Campaign / software reference: CS2312

Components: STRUCTURE:BODY. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 19, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles, a protective cover will be permanently affixed to the ignition cylinder. This Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector prevents the removal of the key lock cylinder thereby preventing access to the ignition tumbler.

Campaign / software reference: CS2312

Components: STRUCTURE:BODY. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made available to owners of eligible Kia model vehicles free of charge at authorized Kia dealers since 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade has been developed and can be installed at the ignition cylinder location to provide additional protection against the social media theft method. Because the subject Kia vehicles were not factory-equipped with an engine immobilizer and were previously eligible for the software upgrade, these vehicles are eligible until March 31, 2027, to have the ignition cylinder protector installed—if requested—at no cost through an authorized Kia dealership. (Mailing of these notifications to vehicle owners will be completed from December 17, 2025 through February 27, 2026)

Campaign / software reference: CS2312

Components: STRUCTURE:BODY. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal transmission and reception times between the vehicle (ultrasonic sensor) and an object. The membrane film of the ultrasonic sensor is used for object detention and can be damaged by stone chips or foreign substances while driving. Damage to the cover of the ultrasonic sensor can also lead to damage to the internal circuit. As a result of this external damage, the PDW system may not receive the proper signal from the ultrasonic sensor. In some cases, the system may cause a false alarm, no alert, or phantom warnings by a “Warning Lamp’ to be displayed on the cluster. The ultrasonic sensor membrane film should be always inspected for external damage and if any part replacement should be treated as a general repair, not as a warranty claim repair for this concern. (Please note that this Pitstop only applies to models/trims that are equipped with the ultrasonic sensors.)

Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.

Components: POWER TRAIN. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the table on pages 9 and 10 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.

Components: ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT MODEM RESET (SA611) - This bulletin outlines the procedure for resetting the modem in certain 2016-2025MY Kia vehicles listed on page 3 that are equipped with Kia Connect Services. The affected vehicles may encounter the following issues: remote Start/Climate Control function not working, vehicle Status on the Kia Access App not updating, connected routing not functioning properly.

Campaign / software reference: SA611

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the tables on pages 8-9 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.

Components: ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT STRUT BEARING & SPRING PAD REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to replace the front strut bearing and upper spring pad on both front (LH and RH) strut assemblies on certain 2019-2024MY Forte (BDm) vehicles produced from July 09, 2018 through present, 2020-2024MY Soul (SK3) vehicles produced from November 15, 2018 through present, and 2021-2024 Seltos (SP2) vehicles produced from November 20, 2019 through present. The affected vehicles may exhibit an intermittent noise when turning the steering wheel both when driving and when the vehicle is not in motion.

Campaign / software reference: TSB

Components: SUSPENSION. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.