VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC199 FL301) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting Voluntary Service Campaign to update the software programming on the Transmission Control Module (TCM) and, if necessary, replace the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) on certain 2019-2020 MY Forte vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Kia Forte powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Kia Forte have filed 46 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 7,450 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
46
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Forte | 17 |
| 2017 Forte | 11 |
| 2018 Forte | 8 |
| 2019 Forte (this page) | 46 |
| 2020 Forte | 15 |
| 2021 Forte | 7 |
| 2023 Forte | 7 |
When does it fail?
Of the 46 powertrain complaints filed for the 2019 Kia Forte, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 13 model years of Kia Forte we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 46.
Powertrain accounts for 32% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 8 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides information to replace the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) Oil Pressure Sensor (OPS) on some 2018-2024MY vehicles listed on page 3 equipped with IVT. The affected vehicles may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated on the instrument cluster with DTCs P084500, P084600, and/or P0867XX present with no drivability concerns due to a failed IVT oil pressure sensor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: IVT SOFTWARE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT AND/OR IVT REPLACEMENT (SC199) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. (This bulletin was previously referred as âÂÂSA424â or âÂÂELE 200âÂÂ.) This bulletin provides the procedure to update the Transmission Control Module (TCM) software logic and, if necessary, replace the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) on certain 2019-2021MY vehicles listed in the chart below. The affected vehicles may exhibit the illumination of MIL with the DTC(s) listed below in addition to a lack of acceleration or de
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2019 Kia Forte's IVT transmission is failing routinely at shockingly low mileage. Owners report the engine suddenly revs to 4,000–7,000 RPM while the car refuses to accelerate, leaving them crawling at 12–45 mph on busy highways with no warning lights. Multiple owners say this happened within the first 5,000 miles or just a few months after purchase. The transmission either loses all connection to the drivetrain or gets stuck unable to shift properly. On highways, this creates an acute hazard: the car decelerates unexpectedly, nearly causing rear-end collisions, and owners often have to pull over and restart the vehicle—which sometimes temporarily fixes it, only for it to fail again miles later.
Kia has issued service bulletins in 2018, 2020, and 2022 for this exact problem but refuses to recall. Dealers have replaced transmissions multiple times on the same vehicle—one owner's replacement lasted only 8,000 miles. Some dealers installed "refurbished" transmissions that failed immediately. Owners also report transmission mount bolts snapping under normal acceleration, allowing the engine to drop and break drive axles and the water pump. A separate cluster of complaints describes engines knocking internally and shutting down without warning, with Kia admitting these engines don't last to 100,000 miles.
Same Kia Forte powertrain reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission failure with loss of power and high RPM
The IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission) abruptly loses ability to propel the vehicle despite engine RPM rising dramatically (4,000–7,000+). Owners report the car cannot accelerate beyond 12–45 mph, often on highways, creating acute hazard from following traffic. Engine remains running but disconnected from drivetrain.
When: Highly variable: 2,000–53,000 miles; some failures within 2–3 months of ownership or 2,000–5,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPMs spike (4–7K) when foot on gas but car barely moves or does not move; Sudden loss of acceleration on highway at speed; Car cannot exceed 12–45 mph despite full throttle; Lurching or jerking before loss of power; Car stalls mid-drive or in intersection; Requires restart; temporary recovery then re-failure
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (intermittent or absent despite failure), Transmission control module fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; some owners report dealers installed 'refurbished' transmissions or same defective unit twice. Multiple owners cite 3–6 week wait for parts. One owner waited 2+ months at dealer with no resolution; another reported replacement transmission failed 8,000 miles later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia issued service campaigns (TSBs) in 2018, 2020, and 2022 for transmission hesitation/failure but did not issue recall; transmission control module software updates attempted with mixed or no results; out-of-warranty claims denied despite known defect pattern; one owner received rental car coverage during repair.
Transmission mount/engine mounting bolts failure
Transmission mount bolts snap in half under normal acceleration, causing engine to shift or drop toward the driver's side. Secondary damage cascades: broken engine mounts allow drive axles and water pump to fail. Owner reported shop noted bolts 'snapped,' not fractured from impact.
When: Not specified; appears to occur very early in ownership (owner notes car never in accident, normal driving)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud sputtering and grinding noise on acceleration from stop; Engine visibly sunk toward driver's side; Broken transmission mount bolts
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission mount bolts replaced; front drive axle and water pump also required replacement. Total repair cost approximately $1,600.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia initially denied refund; owner directed to send photos to Kia; final outcome not stated. Kia claimed bolts must have failed from recent impact, dismissing normal-wear claim.
CVT transmission gear-ratio hunting and jerking
CVT rapidly and erratically shifts gear ratios, causing RPM fluctuations (200–500 rpm swings even at constant speed), rough jolting from stops, and difficulty maintaining steady throttle. Car feels unstable; some dealers initially claim behavior is normal for CVT.
When: Low mileage, ranging from 200 miles (in-car evaluation) to 31,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: RPM surges/bounces 200–500 rpm at constant speed or light acceleration; Jerky or stumbling acceleration from stop; Car will not accelerate smoothly; jolt almost injures driver; Tach bounces wildly between 500–2,500 rpm; Severe hesitation on acceleration followed by violent jolt after 10+ seconds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers initially dismiss as normal CVT behavior; later diagnosed as transmission defect requiring replacement. One owner attempted spark-plug replacement before identification of transmission.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None reported; owners note lack of manufacturer acknowledgment.
Unintended vehicle rollaway from Park
Vehicle disengages from Park while parked with engine idling, rolling unsupervised into obstacles (house porch, other vehicles). Occurs despite operator claiming vehicle was in Park and engine idling.
When: Low mileage (~26,000 miles on one report)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls out of Park while idling; No operator in vehicle during rollaway; Damage to bumper and fender sustained
Repairs/costs cited: No repair details provided; owner researched and found this is a known issue with model.
Engine knocking, ticking, and catastrophic failure
Engine develops audible ticking that progresses to hard knocking, then abrupt shutdown while driving. Occurs despite regular oil changes and no warning lights. Dealership delays diagnosis over one month; Kia acknowledges engines in this model can fail before 100,000 miles.
When: Mileage not stated; owner performed oil change days before failure
Symptoms owners cite: Ticking sound from engine progressing to hard knocking; Engine shuts off mid-drive at red light; No Check Engine Light warning prior to shutdown; Engine will not restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership took 1.5+ months to diagnose; Kia acknowledged engines are not built to last to 100,000 miles (no specific repair cost cited).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia acknowledged the issue exists; declined responsibility; owner hung up on by Kia consumer hotline.
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system failure and infotainment blackout
FCW malfunctions intermittently over 1+ year, not detecting hazards. Infotainment system screen goes completely black despite recent software update. System failures occur at low mileage (26,000 miles).
When: Over 1+ year of ownership; 26,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: FCW does not engage or warn of forward collision hazards; Screen blackout (entire infotainment system fails); Occurs after dealer software update
Repairs/costs cited: No repair mentioned; owner performed research confirming others report same issue.
Transmission control issues: inability to exceed 60–65 mph
During interstate merging or highway cruising, transmission governs engine to prevent acceleration above 60–65 mph regardless of throttle input. Related to broader transmission control anomalies and software.
When: Multiple instances over 1+ year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Car will not accelerate past 60–65 mph on interstate; Engine revving but car speed capped; No warning lights
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software update completed; issue persisted.
Transmission doesn't engage or slips in gear
Transmission becomes slow to engage or slips intermittently, especially in cold or after sitting. Manual mode shifting workaround temporarily restores function. Eventually worsens to complete internal failure.
When: Intermittently, then progresses to 95,000 miles before failure diagnosis
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission stuck in gear or slipping; Cannot accelerate above 20 mph without manual-mode workaround; Tach bounces 500–1,500 rpm then 1,500–2,500 rpm; Stuttering and bouncing RPM while slipping; Strange noise develops later
Repairs/costs cited: Eventually requires transmission replacement; at 95,000 miles owner claimed out of warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia initially stated they could not reproduce issue; later confirmed internal transmission failure; denied warranty coverage due to mileage.
Synthesized from 46 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
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 pulled over the side of the road. When I tried to turn on/off my car the check engine light randomly appeared and I was…
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 off, restarted the vehicle, and it resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to all star Kia of san bernardino (735…
I was driving my 2019 Kia forte at 75 MPH, then lowered my speed, then accelerated again. A loud screech/grinding sound happened, then the car stalled. I was able to coast to the roadside, and re-start the car. I was not able to drive the car over 15 MPH. Car was towed to the dealership the next day. They drove the car, but found nothing wrong with it. I insisted that there is a…
On 11/27, my wife was driving our 2019 Kia forte s with about 5,000 miles on it and said it was doing something really strange. She would push on the gas pedal like normal, but the rpms would soar and the engine would rev up but the car would barely move. We drove around the neighborhood when she got back and I noticed the same thing. We called the dealership in the area that night to bring it in…
I bought my car brand new in april 2019. I had it's 15,000 mile check up about 2 weeks ago and they said everything was fine. Right around that time I noticed that when I accelerated, my car would jump. The RPM would bounce between 1-2 rpms and when I brought it into the dealership they said everything was fine and even test drove it. I was sure something was wrong and we went out on another test…
I was driving north on ma 495 north near haverhill ma when all of a sudden my car was over-revving and no power was getting to the wheels. I had to pull over on a busy highway. I was lucky I made it to a rest stop. I talked to the tech at Kia and they are aware of this problem being a "common thing" and I need a new transmission. Thankfully it is under warranty still. I feel Kia's complete…
The ivt trans went bad with out warring I was doing 70 MPH on I 77 in nc with cruse on . Then the engine tacked up to 7000 RPM a fue times then I shifted to sport mode the rpms stoped jumping around till I got to hickory nc . When driving to dealer ship the car would not hardly pull its self/ no warring lights or any type of warring of lost of power. Other then high RPM on the engine. The…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2019 Kia Forte?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2019 Kia Forte?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 46 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 3,000 and 23,000 miles, with the median around 7,450. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,000; a quarter make it past 23,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Kia/Forte.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.