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 ↗2020 Kia Forte powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2020 Kia Forte have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain 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 →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 Forte | 11 |
| 2018 Forte | 8 |
| 2019 Forte | 46 |
| 2020 Forte (this page) | 15 |
| 2021 Forte | 7 |
| 2023 Forte | 7 |
| 2024 Forte | 3 |
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 15 powertrain complaints filed for the 2020 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
Powertrain accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 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
Owners report transmission problems ranging from erratic RPM swings and gear slipping to complete loss of forward and reverse motion. The most common pattern involves RPM fluctuation (bouncing between 2,000–8,000 RPM) during highway driving around 70,000 miles, followed by transmission failure requiring replacement. Several owners describe a replacement transmission failing again within days or weeks, with one owner on their third transmission after two consecutive failures.
Transmission fluid degradation appears in multiple reports—one owner found fluid black instead of red. Hard shifts, sluggish gear engagement, and stalling also occur. One owner reports the vehicle reversing on its own while parked in Park, causing personal injury.
Dealership response has been inconsistent. Some dealers claim inability to duplicate the failure or find a problem despite owner documentation. One owner reports a dealership unable to drain transmission fluid before 60,000 miles, with failure following weeks later. Both dealerships were reportedly aware of ongoing issues before warranty expiration but took no action. One owner spent $2,000 out-of-pocket for travel expenses after the Kia Trip Interruption Policy was denied pre-approval, while another faced a $3,500 out-of-warranty repair quote. Kia customer service reportedly did not respond to escalation requests.
Same Kia Forte powertrain reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission fluid degradation and internal failure
Transmission fluid turns black and loses performance. Owners report loss of forward/reverse motion, complete transmission failure requiring replacement. Some replacements fail again within days or weeks.
When: Typically 54,000–88,000 miles; one case at 31,000 miles; one case documented at 2,553 miles but different issue
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of forward and reverse motion; Transmission fluid black instead of red; No warning lights initially; Stranded with vehicle non-functional
Codes mentioned: P0730
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement; one owner paid $2,000 out-of-pocket for trip expenses after dealership denied pre-approval for Trip Interruption Policy; dealership quoted $3,500 for transmission replacement on out-of-warranty vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Covered under powertrain/transmission warranty (when within window); Kia Trip Interruption Policy covers max $100/day for 3 days ($300 total) only with pre-approval; TSB issued for IVT transmission issues in 2019–2021 models
Erratic RPM fluctuation and uncontrolled gear slipping
Engine RPMs bounce wildly (2,000–8,000 range) independent of driver input. Vehicle jerks, loses power, or slips out of gear unpredictably during highway driving. Transmission loses ability to maintain speed or accelerate.
When: Around 70,000 miles; one case at 65 mph highway; one case early in ownership (Sept 2020)
Symptoms owners cite: RPM needle bouncing 2,000–8,000 RPM; Vehicle lurching, jerking back and forth; Loss of power or forward motion despite throttle input; Transmission slipping out of gear (feels like manual transmission in neutral); Erratic tachometer needle; Check engine light may or may not illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: New transmission installed in one case; multiple owners report second transmission failed within days after replacement
Hard shifts, delayed/missed gear engagement
Transmission exhibits sluggish, reluctant, or irregular shifting. Gears fail to engage promptly or drop unexpectedly during acceleration from stop. Vehicle trembles and occasionally stalls.
When: 88,000 miles; early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Irregular and sluggish shifting; Reluctance to engage or maintain gears; Missed or delayed gear changes; Trembling while driving; Stalling multiple times in driveway; Difficulty accelerating from stop
Codes mentioned: P0730
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic at dealership suspected transmission bearing issue; dealership unable to confirm fault on test drive despite owner observing the problem
Transmission failure after factory service
Transmission fails shortly after dealership service work. In one case, dealership unable to drain transmission fluid before 60,000 miles; transmission failed weeks later. Replacement transmission also failed within 33,000 miles.
When: First failure before 60,000 miles (Feb–March 2022); second failure at 73,000 miles; third service event 12/27/2022
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission failure after service appointment; Fluid leak from transmission; Complete transmission failure requiring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: First dealership (Wallace Kia Bristol) could not drain fluids; vehicle sent home; transmission failed weeks later; replaced at Kia Clarksville; replacement failed again at 73,000 miles with 33,000 miles on new unit; owner reports both dealerships aware of prior issues before warranty expired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Both dealerships aware of ongoing issues but took no action; owner escalated to Kia customer service with no response or callback
Vehicle reversal in Park (safety hazard)
Vehicle parked in garage and shifted to Park. Vehicle began reversing on its own, striking owner and garage door. Owner sustained injuries to shoulder, face, elbow, knee, legs, and foot.
When: 2,553 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle reverses while in Park; No warning lights before event
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to duplicate failure and referred owner to manufacturer; manufacturer opened a case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer case opened; no further details on resolution
Stalling and check engine light with transmission pressure issue
Vehicle stalls while driving and fails to restart. Check engine light illuminates. Independent mechanic identifies transmission pressure as root cause. Owner also reports abnormal knocking noise after restart.
When: 31,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls while driving; Failure to restart; Check engine light illuminated; Abnormal knocking noise after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership initially diagnosed engine replacement needed but did not repair; independent mechanic replaced battery (which resolved initial restart issue); second independent mechanic identified transmission pressure as root cause; dealership unable to diagnose or repair when vehicle brought back
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
MAKE: 2020 KIA FORTE MODEL: FORTE ODOMETER: approximately 88,000 miles VIN: [XXX] [XXX] On [XXX], while driving my Kia towards my home driveway, I noticed that the car's speed was fluctuating unpredictably. Despite having my foot slightly on the brake and off the gas pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate and decelerate as I made the turn into my residence. The Forte…
1st problem, catalytic converter code says it's bad, check engine light on ever since, car is only 4 years old. 2nd problem possible electrical or wiring issue. Had to replace front right headlight(2times), back brake lights both sides, rear top brake light (2 times), daytime running lights both(2 times), currently right light bulb works, but light on says needs replacement. All in total changed…
My expectant granddaughter was driving the vehicle on a trip. The transmission started intermittently slipping en route. She stopped and when she returned to the vehicle she discovered it would no longer go forward or backwards. It is still under warranty. The vehicle is still in Colorado. This happened Sept 4, 2021. It is now 10/13. I have contacted Kia multiple times speaking with different…
On september 1st, 2020, I was at a stop and needed to go northbound on a busy intersection. I saw the opportunity to go so I stepped on the gas but my vehicle would barely accelerate which put me in harms way of oncoming traffic. For a moment there I thought I was going to get t-boned. This issue needs to get resolved as soon as possible!
Had powertrain trouble with your 2020 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 2020 Kia Forte?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 59,438 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2020/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.