2019 Kia Forte problems and recalls

Owners have filed 149 complaints on the 2019 Kia Forte, and NHTSA has issued 2 recalls. The most cited component is the Power Train (48 complaints).

149
Complaints
2
Recalls
11
Crash reports
4
Fire reports
5
Injuries
67.9
Severity index

Severity index 67.9 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 67.9p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 30 of 125 by severity index among 2019 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 76% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2019 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Power TrainPower Train: 48 complaints (32.2%)48 32%EngineEngine: 37 complaints (24.8%)37 25%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 23 complaints (15.4%)23 15%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 22 complaints (14.8%)22 15%Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 17 complaints (11.4%)17 11%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 15 complaints (10.1%)15 10%SteeringSteering: 9 complaints (6.0%)9 6%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 7 complaints (4.7%)7 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
POWER TRAIN4832.2%
ENGINE3724.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2315.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2214.8%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1711.4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1510.1%
STEERING96.0%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL74.7%

Complaints filed per year

014272018: 22019: 272020: 222021: 212022: 112023: 132024: 192025: 152026: 19 (partial year)18192720212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20182
201927
202022
202121
202211
202313
202419
202515
2026 (year to date)19
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (47 against 54).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V77100031/10/2018EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSKia 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 Stand
20V45900005/08/2020POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFTKia 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.

Other Kia Forte model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 12 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-10-23. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.