2019 KIA Forte Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Forte years
- About as many complaints as other years 8th of 16 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 147 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 KIA Forte. That ranks 8th out of 16 Forte model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (47 complaints, 32%), typically at around 5,140 miles. Complaints mention 11 crashes, 4 fires, 5 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
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- 147owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 11complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2019 KIA Forte problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 47 | 32% | 5,140 | — | — |
| Engine | 36 | 24% | 16,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 22 | 15% | 11,496 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 22 | 15% | 10,892 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 17 | 12% | 11,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 15 | 10% | 39,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 8 | 5% | 10,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 5% | 16,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 6 | 4% | 2,300 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 5 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 3% | 97,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 3% | 9,029 | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 3% | 938 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 2% | 81,950 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 1% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 1% | 18,500 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | 1,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1% | 8,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 1% | 100,900 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2019 KIA Forte recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Forte vehicles. The left front axle driveshaft may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to break.
Risk: A broken driveshaft can result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left front axle driveshaft for a heat treatment verification code, and replace it if the code is missing, free of charge. The recall began September 2, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC195.
Exterior lighting:headlights
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Kia Forte vehicles equipped with LED headlights. The headlights may not have been manufactured with the correct low beam aiming. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the headlights are not properly aimed, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlight aiming and replace the headlights, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC171.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
recommended engine replacement at 111,000 miles
Power loss, engine failure. Will not start
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that after driving to the local store and turning off the vehicle, after returning to the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a timing chain failure…
While driving, the Forward Collision Warning system activated unexpectedly without any apparent hazard or obstruction in front of my vehicle. Immediately after the warning appeared, the vehicle suddenly lost speed and became very slow to accelerate. I was unable to safely increase my speed while…
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the contact had exited when the oil and battery warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle rolled over to the side of the road. The contact exited the vehicle and, upon inspection, noticed that an…
Other KIA Forte years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Forte | 26 | 0 |
| 2023 Forte | 65 | 3 |
| 2022 Forte | 28 | 1 |
| 2021 Forte | 69 | 2 |
| 2020 Forte | 78 | 0 |
| 2019 | 147 | 2 |
| 2018 Forte | 136 | 3 |
| 2017 Forte | 305 | 3 |
| 2016 Forte | 136 | 1 |
| 2015 Forte | 260 | 1 |
| 2014 Forte | 444 | 3 |
| 2013 Forte | 195 | 5 |
| 2012 Forte | 292 | 4 |
| 2011 Forte | 153 | 3 |
| 2010 Forte | 221 | 3 |
| 2009 Forte | 1 | 0 |
See all KIA Forte problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
Similar KIA models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2019 KIA Forte?
Owners most often report power train, engine, electrical system problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 47 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2019 KIA Forte?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2019 KIA Forte a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Forte model years, the 2019 has about as many complaints as a typical year, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.