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ProblemsByVin File / 2019-KIA-FORTE
2019 · kia

kia Forte problems

2 safety recalls. 140 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
45 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
engine
21 reports · avg $3,100
severe
electrical
18 reports · avg $850
severe
lighting
8 reports · avg $250
severe
steering
8 reports · avg $700
moderate
airbags
3 reports · avg $1,100
severe
brakes
3 reports · avg $450
severe
cruise control
3 reports · avg $600
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2019 Forte · powertrain
My car was vehicle was driving on the highway over 200 miles away from home when I was driving about 65 mph the speed limit. When trying to accelerate on the Highway my vehicle would jump from 2,000 RPMs - 4,000 RPM not going faster. As I hit the gas my speed decreased and I…
12/22/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11444762.0
2019 Forte · wheels
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, DASHBOARD ALERTED TO FRONT END COLLISION WARNINGS BUT I WAS NOT IN A COLLISION THEN MOMENTS LATER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW CAUSING BODY DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER AND GUARDS, TOTALLY SHREDDING THE TIRE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 18,500 MILES AND TIRES WERE…
12/22/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11384543.0
2019 Forte · other
CarPlay digital screen is bubbling on the right side, up the top and now to the left part of the screen. I was told by Kia Service it would take $1200 to repair and to use it til it breaks. I googled this issue and learned a lot of Kia cars from 2019 have the same issue. This…
12/06/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11629358.0
2019 Forte · powertrain
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA FORTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE RPMS INCREASED TO 4; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNED THE VEHICLE…
12/03/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11286723.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 18V771000 31/10/2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Kia Forte vehicles equipped with LED headlights

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.
severe NHTSA 20V459000 05/08/2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Forte vehicles

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.

Common questions

Is the 2019 Kia Forte reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 140 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Kia Forte is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2019 Kia Forte?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 45 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Kia Forte has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2019 Kia Forte?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 140 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 16 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with kia. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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