2019 Kia Forte
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 147 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 16 Forte model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 11 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftAug 5, 2020
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.
A broken driveshaft can result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V459000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsOct 31, 2018
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."
If the headlights are not properly aimed, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18V771000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
40 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 26, 2024
I bought this car in July of 2021 and ever since then the car has been burning oil like crazy. I’m talking 1500-2000 miles I am going through 2-3 quarts of oil. As this is a new car this should not be an issue. When my timing went out at 79,000 I mentioned this to the dealership about the tremendous amount of oil it was consuming they blew it off and acted as if it was normal. Also the forward collision warning camera obstructed has been a constant issue especially in the fact that when it happens and I’m going over 40 mph and it’s almost made me crash 2 times because it did it during icy conditions. The light also comes on during the summer on a hot sunny day.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the instrument panel, radio, and A/C were inoperable. The contact also stated that the steering wheel had become firm. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was a faulty wiring harness, steering, instrument cluster, and additionally the oil drain plug was leaking. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 1,100.
Power train, Engine, Jun 6, 2023
I have always gotten my oil changed on time and even had it changed a few days before my engine failed. I was driving down the road going home from work when my car started making a ticking sound that soon turned into a hard knocking sound coming from the engine. My car then shut off in the middle of traffic while at a red light. I tried to start it back up but nothing was happening. My check engine light never came on to give me any type of warning that the engine was in bad shape. Took it to the Kia dealership where it took over a month and a half to get someone to look at my car and give me an answer as to what was wrong with it. Kia knows that the engines in these cars are not built to last and that they could have failed before reaching 100,000 miles. I was also hung up on by someone from the Kia consumer hotline. I feel Kia should be responsive and held accountable as far as paying for the repairs and me not coming out of pocket. I will not be dealing with Kia ever again.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Engine, Mar 29, 2023
I was driving down expressway and my car started to make rattling noise and Clanking noise from the engine and then my car wouldn’t start it kept stuttering. My 2019 Kia forte was stalling it was not accelerating past 3k rpm’s and then the engine would completely shut off. Now my car has been out of commission for a few weeks
Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 23, 2023
It has been a reoccurring problem where the car will suddenly shut off in the middle of driving. I have already taken it to Kia 4 times and the problem has not been fixed. There is a creaking noise and when I specifically turn left, it will trigger the oil light and it will flash. Recently, it has not been starting. It has definitely put my life and other at risk but I have no choice but to drive it because of work and school.
Engine, Jan 20, 2023
My KIA Forte engine suddenly seized at 112,548 miles. This was verified by a personal mechanic as well at a KIA dealership service department. There were no notifications or warning lamps alerting of any potential problems with this engine or any other car part at all. This car was bought brand new and serviced oil changes were made on time only using full synthetic oil. Luckily for me this happen while I was on my driveway and not on the road.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 3, 2022
The transmission failed while on the interstate/freeway while trying to merge into traffic. The vehicle lost power and would not accelerate even though the engine was revving up in RPMs. The vehicle is available. The transmission was replaced with a "Refurbished Transmission" through Warranty by KIA. Two days later the car began jerking and the check engine light came on. The vehicle was returned to the Dealership. The car was then returned to me, the owner, only to have the Check Engine light come back on, so the car was returned a third time for "Transmission" related issues. The vehicle in question has been at the dealership for over two months as the Dealership tells me that they are going "back and forth with KIA Techline" to figure out the issue. The initial Transmission failure was confirmed by the KIA Technicians and reproduced prior to the "Refurbished" transmission being put in. The vehicle and component have been inspected by the KIA Technicians who say they cannot solve the issue and are currently working with KIA Techline to solve the issue. The only prior symptoms were briefs moments of hesitation in acceleration from the vehicle when on the interstate/freeway. This series of events began at the beginning of December 2021 and the vehicle is still in the shop as of April 3, 2022.
Engine, Mar 22, 2022
The transmission has had multiple catastrophic transmissions failures while driving. The transmission does not engage and the car cannot accelerate, which has created severe safety issues, especially on the freeway. We were almost hit by two semi-trucks this last time because the transmission would not engage and would only rev high while traveling on the turnpike in an 80 MPH zone and the car decelerated quickly due to lack of engagement and the RPM gauge just would redline with no movement to the wheels. This has happened several time before but this was the one that scared us the most...each event was scary. The first transmission failure happened at around 20K miles and if the transmission is replaced this time it would be the third replacement transmission within only 10K miles since the care only has 30K miles on it. I have talked with the dealership and Kia Consumer assistance multiple time with no resolutions. They are obviously aware of the issues with this transmission and just keep making promises that never happen and just keep us in a consistent state of a "runaround."
Engine, Oct 19, 2021
The contact leased a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on multiple occasions and was initially informed that repairs were needed to the transmission. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under warranty. Despite the repair, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that sludge was found in the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. Consumer stated transmission problem affected the engine.*JB
Engine, Jul 15, 2021
My Kia is experiencing the same problem that Kia has issued a recall on for every year but 2019 Kias. My 2019 Kia is experiencing the same problem from the recall of "An inconsistent heat-treating process for the piston oil rings can damage the engine and lead to a loss of power, thereby increasing the risk of a crash." My 2019 Kia experienced all of this and no help from the dealership as they didn't want to figure out the problem and wanted me to spend thousands of dollars on a problem Kia has recalled many of there makes/models now. My safety was at high danger due to the car stalling during driving. The diagnose was a bad timing chain and after my mechanic I trust more then the dealership and have proof of the problems/diagnosis is now my Kia has two Pistons that are actually shot and caused problems with my oil life in the car. The mechanic believes it could be caused by the same problem/recall stated above on other makes/models. I have know suffered without a car for a few months and my family has suffered tremendously from just needing to get my car fixed but I still continue to pay my monthly payments on my 2019 Kia. Now the shop I have it at says there's 2 bad Pistons and I need an entire new engine. There was no warnings or check engine light that came on and I just hope there will be an investigation at least on the 2019 models as well and or an answer to why they did 2015 models-2021 but skipped the 2019 Kia Fortes & this investigation of this complaint started after my car was already made and waiting to be sold by a dealer but my car is now experiencing the exact same problems listed above that other Kias have. I can provide and proper paper work from the mechanic if necessary/upon request.
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 11, 2020
EVERYTIME I AM ON THE HIGHWAY, THEN EITHER COME TO A COMPLETE STOP OR TRY TO TURN TO GO UP A HILL. IT WON'T KICK IN TO GEAR. THD RPMS GO WAY UP AND IT ALMOST STOPS RUNNING. ITS BEEN HAPPENING LIKE FOR A WEEK NOW. ITS GETTING WORSE. MY HEADLIGHTS ALSO SEEM LIKE THEY ARE POINTED TO LOW TO THE GROUND. PLEASE HELP I USE MY CAR FOR WORK. THANK YOU
Engine, Aug 5, 2020
IT'S MAKING A RATTLING NOISE, I DON'T HAVE A CLUE WHERE IT'S COMING FROM
Engine and engine cooling, May 18, 2020
AIR CONDITIONER CABIN THERMISTOR DON'T WORK. THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSORS DON'T WORKS. THIS CAR START TO FAIL IN JUST NINE MONTHS AFTER BUY IT BRAND NEW. DON'T WORK IN ANY TIME. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Feb 3, 2020
PROBLEM 1, LONG CRANK HARD START. HAVE TO CYCLE THE IGNITION KEY SEVERAL TIMES TO GET ENGINE STARTED. NO PCM CODES. HAD TO KIA DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. CANNOT DUPLICATE ISSUE. PROBLEM 2, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES BLANK, RADIO GOES BLANK AND ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN.
Engine, Oct 2, 2019
WITH LESS THAN 8K MILES ON OUR FORTE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN THE OIL LIGHT WENT ON. WE MOVED TO THE RIGHT LANE AND WITHIN SECONDS ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. WE COASTED OFF THE HIGHWAY TO FIND OIL SPILLING FROM THE CAR. WHEN WE PULLED THE OIL STICK IT WAS BONE DRY AND SMOKING. WE WERE TOWED TO OUR DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THIS IS THE 3RD OR 4TH ENGINE THEY HAVE SEEN WITH THIS ISSUE AND THEY ARE REPLACING OUR ENTIRE ENGINE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME OUR BRAND NEW FORTE HAS DIED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND IT HAS LESS THAN 8,000 MILES ON IT!