NHTSA Recall 21V622000: Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
Kia Motors America reported this safety recall to NHTSA on , covering an estimated 253,074 vehicles. It affects 2 models including the Kia Forte.
| NHTSA campaign | 21V622000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer campaign | SC216 |
| Component | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES › TRUNK LID › LATCH |
| Report received | August 9, 2021 |
| Owner notification | February 10, 2022 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Safety risk
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
Notes
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.
Vehicles covered by recall 21V622000
Being listed here means the campaign covers the model year, not that every car was built with the defect or is still unrepaired. Enter your VIN above to check your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorised dealers. Source: NHTSA, October 2026.