2019 Kia FORTE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
147 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
10,202 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 68 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 46 of 147 complaints (31.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 45 | 30.6% |
| Braking behavior | 20 | 13.6% |
| Engine operation | 18 | 12.2% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 8.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 7.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 46 |
| Engine | 36 |
| Unknown Or Other | 22 |
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 14 |
| Exterior Lighting | 12 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 7 |
Power Train: 46; Engine: 36; Unknown Or Other: 22; Electrical System: 20; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 14; Exterior Lighting: 12; Steering: 8; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 49 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 49; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (49). 79 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 27 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 17 |
2018: 2; 2019: 27; 2020: 22; 2021: 21; 2022: 11; 2023: 13; 2024: 19; 2025: 15; 2026: 17
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 45 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 18 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11149930 · 2018-11-07 (November 7, 2018)
I BOUGHT THIS CAR 2 MONTHS AGO AND THEY NEVER TOLD ME IT DOESNT COME WITH A DONUT OR SPARE TIRE ......THIS IS UNSAFE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11149930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11154023 · 2018-11-26 (November 26, 2018)
ON NOVEMBER 12,2018 I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 65 MPH WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED BY A HIT AND RUN DRIVER THAT SEEMED TO BE DOING FULL SPEED, AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE I NEVER HEARD ANY SCREECHING BRAKES BEHIND ME. THE IMPACT TOTALED MY CAR, WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE DAMAGE TO THE TRUNK. THE IMPACT MADE MY CAR SPIN AROUND AND AT SOME POINT MY FRONT BUMPER HIT SOMETHING, BUT NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED WHATSOEVER. MY SEAT BELT WAS STILL LOCKED IN PLACE, BUT SOMEHOW MY SEAT RECLINED BACK JUST ENOUGH FOR ME TO BE DISLODGED FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT AND END UP IN T…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11154023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11166665 · 2019-01-12 (January 12, 2019)
THE CRUISE CONTROL WON'T HOLD ME ON THE SPEED I SET THE CRUISE ON. IF I SET IT ON 55 I LOOK DOWN I'M UP TO 70 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11166665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11170149 · 2019-01-15 (January 15, 2019)
THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WOULD WOULD MOVE FORWARD OR GO BACKWARD. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. AND ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 MONTHS.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11170149 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11172732 · 2019-01-29 (January 29, 2019)
I AM WRITING TO INFORM YOU OF AN INCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED ON FRIDAY JANUARY 25, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:40 PM WHILE MY SON WAS OPERATING HIS 2019 KIA FORTE. THE WEATHER THAT DAY WAS SUNNY AND CLEAR AND THE ROAD WAS DRY AND LEVEL. 1.MY SON WAS TRAVELING NORTH IN THE RIGHT LANE OF THE SEAFORD OYSTER BAY EXPRESSWAY (NY-135) AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED. 2.AS HE APPROACHED EXIT 13E HE BEGAN TO DECELERATE ENGAGED HIS RIGHT TURN SIGNAL AND ENTERED THE EXIT LANE FOR EXIT 13E. 3.AS HE ATTEMPTED TO BEAR TO THE RIGHT AND EXIT THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLES LANE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11172732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11173755 · 2019-02-03 (February 3, 2019)
THE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. I OWNED THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 3 MONTHS.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,280 miles reported. Look up ODI 11173755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11180454 · 2019-02-16 (February 16, 2019)
DROVE IT A TOTAL OF 2150 MILES AND TRANSMISSION BLEW. BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH RENTAL UNDER WARRANTY AGREEMENT. DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO WOULD NOT GIVE ME A SERVICE LOANER OR PUT ME INTO A RENTAL CAR UNDER KIA. HAD TO COME OUT OF POCKET FOR A RENTAL CAR. SPOKE TO MANY PEOPLE AT KIA. FINALLY GOT A HOLD OF SOMEONE WHO ISN'T GIVING ME A RUN AROUND. BUT KIA ISN'T REIMBURSEING DEALERSHIPS RENTAL CAR FEES. SO IT'S HARD TO GET A SERVICE LOANER.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 11180454 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11185549 · 2019-03-09 (March 9, 2019)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE EVEN THO THE RPMS WOULD, AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11185549 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V771000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2018-10-31 (October 31, 2018)
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."
Consequence: If the headlights are not properly aimed, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V459000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
Reported: 2020-08-05 (August 5, 2020)
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.
Consequence: A broken driveshaft can result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗