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Service bulletins for the 2021 Kia Forte

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

72 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Only bulletins with component: Electrical system are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
TSB_ENG2632026-08-28. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 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.
TSB_ELE4222026-06-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 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).
TSB_ELE3782025-03-26. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 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.
CS2305_TSB_R52024-06-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2305) - 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 the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2014-2018MY Forte (YD), 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm), and 2019-2021MY Forte (BDm) vehicles produced within the dates outlined in page 13, which may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This logic upgrade will add anti-theft ignition start logic to the vehicle's system operation which activates when the vehicle is locked with the use of the key fob.
TSB_ELE303_R22024-03-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - 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 update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc. ) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the 'RADIO' hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecting the 'RADIO' icon on the AVN menu screen.
CS2305_TSB_R42023-12-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2305) - 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 the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2014-2018MY Forte (YD), 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm), and 2019-2021MY Forte (BDm) vehicles produced within the dates outlined in page 13, which may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This logic upgrade will add anti-theft ignition start logic to the vehicle's system operation which activates when the vehicle is locked.
TSB_ELE3032023-09-06. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2023MY Kia vehicles to remedy a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc.) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the 'RADIO' hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecting the 'RADIO' icon on the AVN menu screen. Follow the procedure outlined in this publication to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide units using the applicable USB Flash Drive A or B for the applicable vehicle.
TSB_ELE209_R42023-08-24. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE REMINDER SETTING RESET PROCEDURE - 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 regarding the service reminder setting, which may have been auto-set by the Kia Vehicle Inspection and Delivery application (KVID) at time of Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI). Beginning with the 2023MY, Oil Life Monitoring (OLM) has been applied to all models, except Forte (BDm), Stinger (CK), Telluride (ON) and Soul (SK3). Refer to TSB ENG241 for additional information. As of 08/11/2023, the service reminder auto-set feature by KVID has been disabled for ALL models NOT equipped with OLM.
CS2305C_OWNR22023-08-24. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without the key. This software upgrade will be available to the customer free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of the original letter. When the software upgrade is complete, Kia will also provide the customer with window stickers that can be applied to the vehicle to discourage a break-in.
CS2310_TSB_R12023-08-24. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: KIA GENUINE REMOTE START CONTROL MODULE UPGRADE FOR ANTI-THEFT LOGIC COMPATIBILITY (CS2310) - 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 update the software logic in the Kia Genuine Remote Start Control Module on certain 2012-2022MY model vehicles listed on page 7. Vehicles equipped with a Kia Genuine Remote Start feature and have had the Anti-Theft software logic (CS230*) applied to the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) may experience five (5) inadvertent honks after starting the vehicle with the remote start feature.
CS2305_TSB_R32023-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2305) - 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 the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2014-2018MY Forte (YD), 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm), and 2019-2021MY Forte (BDm) vehicles produced within the dates outlined in page 13, which may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This logic upgrade will add anti-theft ignition start logic to the vehicle's system operation which activates when the vehicle is locked.
CS2310_TSB2023-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: KIA GENUINE REMOTE START CONTROL MODULE UPGRADE FOR ANTI-THEFT LOGIC COMPATIBILITY (CS2310) - This bulletin provides information to update the software logic in the Kia Genuine Remote Start Control Module on certain 2012-2022MY model vehicles listed on page 6. Vehicles equipped with a Kia Genuine Remote Start feature and have had the Anti-Theft software logic (CS230*) applied to the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) may experience five (5) inadvertent honks after starting the vehicle with the remote start feature.
CS2305_TSB_R22023-05-30. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2305) - 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 the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2014-2018MY Forte (YD), 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm), and 2019-2021MY Forte (BDm) vehicles produced within the dates outlined in page 13, which may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This logic upgrade will add anti-theft ignition start logic to the vehicle's system operation which activates when the vehicle is locked.
CS2305_TSB_R12023-05-04. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2305) - 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 the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2014-2018MY Forte (YD), 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm), and 2019-2021MY Forte (BDm) vehicles produced within the dates outlined in page 10, which may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This logic upgrade will add anti-theft ignition start logic to the vehicle's system operation.
PS677_R22023-04-28. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PIT STOP: LOG FILE COLLECTION FOR AVN 5.0/W AND DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0 - 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 Pitstop contains information regarding the log file collection procedure for 2020MY~ models equipped with AVN 5.0/W or Display Audio 2.0 head units.
CS2305C_OWNRBDM2023-04-28. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without the key. This software upgrade will be available to the customer free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of this letter. When the software upgrade is complete, Kia will also provide the customer with window stickers that can be applied to your vehicle to discourage a break-in.
CS2305_TSB2023-04-22. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2305) - This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2014-2018MY Forte (YD), 2017-2018MY Forte (YDm), and 2019-2021MY Forte (BDm) vehicles produced within the dates outlined in page 10, which may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This logic upgrade will add anti-theft ignition start logic to the vehicle's system operation.
TSB_ENG219_R12022-09-30. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - 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 setting the "Service Interval Reminder" feature available on most 2014-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 2). If the service interval reminder is set, the customer will be informed to have the next maintenance service performed, which can positively affect vehicle longevity and performance. Refer to TSB ENG241 for 2023MY~ vehicles equipped with the Oil Life Management System (OLMS) feature not included in table on page 2.
TSB_ELE209_R32022-08-18. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE REMINDER SETTING RESET PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides the procedure to turn OFF the service reminder lamp, at the first service interval reminder alert that will display on the instrument cluster. The KDS is required to change the setting from "Workshop" to "Customer Mode."
PS672_R12022-08-18. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; SEATS. PITSTOP: REAR OCCUPANT ALERT (ROA) W/REAR DOOR LOGIC - 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 Pitstop provides information regarding the Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) with Rear Door Logic system on all 21MY~ models equipped with this feature. This system is designed to help prevent a rear passenger from being left inside the vehicle when exiting. The "Check Rear Seats" message will display on the cluster when driver opens the front door, if during vehicle operation the rear doors (one or both) were opened and closed.
PS613_R12022-04-01. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACEMENT AND MILEAGE SETTING WITH KDS - 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 pitstop provides the KDS service procedure for mileage setting on the models listed below with newly replaced instrument clusters. Certain models allow for mileage setting with the KDS, which prevents the need to send out the instrument cluster to a 3rd party for mileage adjustment (refer to PS264). After a new cluster is installed, cluster (variant) coding may also need to be conducted using the KDS. Make sure the KDS software is also updated to the latest version. Mileage setting should be performed by using the KDS only, as described in this bulletin.
PS576_R22022-02-04. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: BATTERY DEALER (SHIPPING)/CUSTOMER MODE SWITCH - 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 Pitstop provides information regarding a new interface related to the electronic Dealer (Shipping) / Customer Mode Switch setting on all applicable models.
TSB_ELE231_R32021-12-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; LANE DEPARTURE. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT VIEW CAMERA REPLACEMENT FOR DTC C160449 & C160649 - 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 the inspection and replacement of the front camera on some vehicles. Due to an internal control chip concern inside the camera, the vehicle may exhibit a Forward Collision Avoidance Assist Warning Lamp (A) and/or Master Warning Lamp (B) with C160449 and/or C160649 codes. Certain systems may become temporarily disabled during occurrences: Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Lane Keep Assistance (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and/or Driver Attention Warning (DAW).
TSB_ELE231_R22021-09-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL; LANE DEPARTURE; FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT VIEW CAMERA REPLACEMENT FOR DTC C160449 & C160649 - 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 the inspection and replacement of the front camera on some vehicles. Due to an internal control chip concern inside the camera, the vehicle may exhibit a Forward Collision Avoidance Assist Warning Lamp (A) and/or Master Warning Lamp (B) with C160449 and/or C160649 codes. Certain systems may become temporarily disabled during occurrences: Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Lane Keep Assistance (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and/or Driver Attention Warning (DAW).
PS7042021-08-25. Service bulletin. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PITSTOP: FRONT RADAR SENSOR MOUNTING INSPECTION (PS704) - This pitstop provides information regarding front radar sensor alignment on 2014MY and later vehicles that may exhibit a warning light ON related to radar sensor alignment errors in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)/Smart Cruise Control (SCC) system.

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.