2019 Kia Forte Problems

146 owner complaints filed with the United States safety regulator · top issue: Power Train · verdict CAUTION 64/100

Source NHTSA public complaint and recall record · methodology

What breaks, by owner reports

Power Train47
Engine35
Electrical System22
Unknown Or Other22
Forward Collision Avoidance17
Exterior Lighting15

In the owners’ words

“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 caused by low engine oil. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle had experienced excessive oil consumpti”NHTSA complaint, 2019 Kia Forte owner
“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 excessive amount of oil had leaked onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnos”NHTSA complaint, 2019 Kia Forte owner
“The transmission had a recall 2 years ago and they gave me a new one (KIA). I am having issues with my transmission again”NHTSA complaint, 2019 Kia Forte owner

Recall campaigns

ReportedComponentSummary
31/10/2018Exterior 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
05/08/2020Power 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.

Questions owners ask

Is the 2019 Kia Forte reliable?

On the federal record it scores 64/100: 146 owner complaints (20.86 per year on the road) and 2 recall campaigns, 0 touching safety-critical systems.

What is the most common problem with the 2019 Kia Forte?

The most-reported component in NHTSA complaints is Power Train, with 47 of 158 categorised reports.

Share this verdict

The 2019 Kia Forte scored 64/100 on the federal record.

Full 2019 data pagecosts, verdict, every numberAll Forte yearswhich year to avoid Most complained-about carsthe national ranking