Kia · Forte · 2019
2019 Kia Forte
2
Recalls
140
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2019 Kia Forte has 2 recalls and 140 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: power train (36 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2019 Kia Forte page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 36 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2019 Kia Forte currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 140 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 4/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are power train (36), engine (18), unknown or other (10).
- Vehicle
- 2019 Kia Forte
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 140
- Safety Rating
- 4/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.7% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 20V459000August 05, 2020
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
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.
Remedy Status
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 ID: 18V771000October 31, 2018
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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."
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
140 totalUNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CRASHApr 6, 2026
As I was driving on the turnpike the car engine literally just shut down on me! It could have caused a serious accident. This is the 3rd time when driving the car just stopped on its own on me! Gas tank full, oil good and battery good, but the engine is not! It gave me NO WARNING...
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VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Mar 7, 2026
February 1st 2026, I done my oil change. My car was running fine. No check engine light was on or anything, my forward collision warning started disabling itself when I always kept it on. When I try to accelerate my vehicle it would take a while to accelerate. March 7th 2026, whi...
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ENGINE
Mar 4, 2026
2019 Kia with approximately 64,000 miles. Engine failed without warning. Prior to failure, vehicle had been experiencing intermittent stalling on multiple prior occasions and had been brought to a mechanic for inspection before the final failure occurred. Vehicle stalled while be...
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POWER TRAIN
Feb 27, 2026
Transmission was getting stuck in gear and slipping intermittently would cause the car to not accelerate over 20mph especially in the cold unless you switched it to the manual mode and manually shifted up two gears ans then back down two gears. If you looked at the tach while it ...
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POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Feb 2, 2026
When turning on the car the check engine light comes on. Then when accelerating there is a clicking noise and smoke coming from the engine.
ENGINE
Jan 29, 2026
Engine stalled while driving causing the car to turn off in traffic. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This caused loss of power and steering at 45 miles per hour and could have caused a collision. A licensed and accredited auto mechanic has confirmed that ...
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ENGINE
FIREJan 14, 2026
Car caught on fire while driving down the highway. Had engine replaced with a remanufactured engine in January of 2026 and car engine seized again 30 days later.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jan 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that during start-up, the vehicle was rattling and vibrating abnormally with a clanking sound while shifting into gear. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the crankcase sensor was faulty, and that th...
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LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Jan 6, 2026
the safety of others are put at risk due to system on and off due to shortage and wire triggering. The vehicle listed above collision system wire harness have a shortage and causes the vehicle not to be safe and unable to operate on roadways, highways and streets. there were war...
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EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact was notified by her son that the third brake light was burned and was melting. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and suggested that a diagnostic test be performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed ...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 140 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2019 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2019 Kia Forte have?
The 2019 Kia Forte has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2019 Kia Forte?
NHTSA has received 140 owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Kia Forte.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2019 Kia Forte?
The 2019 Kia Forte received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Kia Forte?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2019 Kia Forte are power train (36 reports), engine (18 reports), unknown or other (10 reports).
Does the 2019 Kia Forte have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2019 Kia Forte. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.