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: forward collision avoidance
17 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 1, 2026
While driving, the Forward Collision Warning system activated unexpectedly without any apparent hazard or obstruction in front of my vehicle. Immediately after the warning appeared, the vehicle suddenly lost speed and became very slow to accelerate. I was unable to safely increase my speed while traveling on a busy roadway, creating a dangerous situation and nearly resulting in a collision with surrounding traffic. Due to the sudden loss of power and inability to accelerate normally, I activated my hazard lights and was forced to pull onto the shoulder of the road for my safety and the safety of other drivers. There were no visible obstacles, vehicles, or road conditions that appeared to justify the activation of the Forward Collision Warning system. This unexpected activation and resulting loss of vehicle performance created a significant safety risk. I am submitting this complaint because a malfunction of the Forward Collision Warning system or related vehicle systems could potentially lead to a serious accident or injury. I have experienced recurring brake issues despite recently having the brakes replaced. The problem continues to occur, raising concerns that there may be an underlying electrical or electronic malfunction affecting vehicle performance. I was recently pulled over shortly after the brake replacement due to concerns regarding the vehicle's braking system. Because the issue persists after repairs, I am concerned about the safety of the vehicle and the potential risk of a crash or loss of control.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 13, 2026
February 1st 2026, I done my oil change. My car was running fine. No check engine light was on or anything, my forward collision warning started disabling itself when I always kept it on. When I try to accelerate my vehicle it would take a while to accelerate. March 7th 2026, while I was driving, my car quit while it was still running. It also quit the same day again just in park. March 8th 2026, I went to take my vehicle to get a diagnostics and when leaving my home. My car stalled out and quit while in drive. After taking my vehicle to the mechanic, the mechanic reported to me my car had no oil in my car and my motor was fried. I have had the vehicle less than a year and it’s giving me all of these issues
Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 6, 2026
the safety of others are put at risk due to system on and off due to shortage and wire triggering. The vehicle listed above collision system wire harness have a shortage and causes the vehicle not to be safe and unable to operate on roadways, highways and streets. there were warning light indicators on the dashboard and need a full-inspection and harness replacement before resale or auction sale.
Engine, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 22, 2024
Have had the car since it had 30,000 on it. It was one year old when we bought it. We changed the oil every three months faithfully. The car has 77,000 miles on it now and needs a new engine. The Kias with this type of engine have been recalled, but this car was not. I have had three mechanics tell me that Kia just built this engine poorly. Is there anything that can be done?
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 7, 2024
While driving, I've observed that my vehicle's forward collision alert system triggers prematurely. It brakes suddenly, as if I'm approaching another vehicle too quickly or on the verge of a collision, despite there being a significant distance between us. Two days ago, the FCA warning lights came on stating to "Check Forward Collision Avoidance Assist System" .
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.
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 27, 2023
The Automatic Emergency Braking system activated when I was driving with no one in front of me four times in the span of one month. I am waiting to get my vehicle inspected so they can diagnose and fix the camera issue. There were no warnings or other alerts up until the system began to activate. Twice, I was on a pretty clear highway and braked suddenly and without reason.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 1, 2023
I have been having issues with my daytime running lights and brake lights going out and then coming back on randomly for almost 2 years . I have lost count of how many bulbs have been replaced. In May 2023, Deland Kia replaced the harness for the rear passenger brake light as they said it was melted, and 3 months later it is happening again. My radio changes stations by itself, my driver window would roll down by itself (window was fixed and hasn't given me any problems since). My forward collision light comes on at random and my car has slammed its brakes when I was nowhere near another car or anything obstructing. My steering wheel will jerk to the right on its own. These cars are death traps.
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.
Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 29, 2022
Forward Collision Obstruction light keeps popping on while driving very randomly steering sometimes doesn’t work and brakes sometimes don’t work all very random sometimes car is completely fine sometimes it’s not… it’s very scary I haven’t taken it in to be inspected yet. Headlight fail light keeps turning on and off as well
Forward collision avoidance, Feb 28, 2022
The collision light comes on and a drop down on the dash says the collision is not working. Upon occasion the breaks with go off randomly. When the breaks all of a sudden slam it makes a horrible noise that scares me and I automatically want to slam on my breaks when that happens. I have a fear of someone rear ending me. I don't know if the break lights come on when that happens. Smith Kia in Bellingham WA. has looked at the car numerous times. They could never duplicate the problem so nothing ever got fixed for a long time. Then one day it was reproduced by them and they said they got a reading on it and fixed the problem. But it didn't fix the problem it still is doing it. They kept my car again a few times but this time cannot duplicate it so they gave me my car back. I even sent them lots of pictures every time it happened with the mileage in the picture. The manufacturer has never looked at my car. No insurance, police or other has looked at my car. The warning lights would just come on randomly at any given time. The same with my breaks randomly going off. There was a drop down stating a lot of words but I could never read it because it popped back up so fast but when the breaks went off there was no dash lights saying anything only the drop down. There was never any warning ahead of time. It just happened with both occasions, NO WARNINGS!!
Forward collision avoidance, Jul 12, 2021
The Collison forward warning and check engine light has been going on and off my car since last year. I have had to go to the shop several times with no answers why this is happening! Every time I bring it in it goes off again and they said nothing is wrong with the car to bring it in when the lights come back on. They come and go so its hard to keep bring it back and they said without the light on they can't run a diagnostic test. Yesterday I was going down my street at 30 MPH the forward collision warning came on and my car immediately stopped on its own like I hit something then the check engine light came on! It scared me half to death! I turned off my car and then turned it back on. The check engine light is still on now. I am done with this car!
Forward collision avoidance, Feb 12, 2021
FORWARD COLLISION ASSIST DISABLES WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY, AT VARYING SPEEDS AND VARYING ROAD TYPES.
Forward collision avoidance, Feb 4, 2021
IT USUALLY JUST RANDOMLY HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING, THE LIGHT COMES ON AND TO TURN IT OFF I EITHER HAVE TO RESTART MY CAR OR JUST WAIT UNTIL IT GOES AWAY . SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T
Forward collision avoidance, Jan 14, 2021
FCW DISABLES WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD.TOOK TO KIA DEALER AND WAS TOLD WAS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM WITH NO FIX. KIA IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WONT FIX IT. HERE IS A LINK TO WHAT IS HAPPENING: HTTPS://WWW.KIFORTE.COM/FCA_FRONT_VIEW_CAMERA_SENSOR-228.HTML
Steering, Suspension, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 28, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE CRASH RESPONSE SYSTEMS TURNS ON & SHOWS ERROR CODES WHICH HAS CAUSED VEHICLE TO STOP BY IT SELF. ALSO THE DRIVER ASSIST HAS PULLED MY WHEEL OUT OF MY HAND & JERKED HAD TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES.... THE LEFT STRUT MOUNT BEARING IS ALSO DEFECTIVE ON THE VEHICLE
Forward collision avoidance, Jan 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE 'CAMERA OBSTRUCTED' WARNING SYMBOL STARTED TO FLASH. ALSO, THE BRAKES ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED FLASHING. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JT'S KIA OF COLUMBIA (230 KILLIAN COMMONS PARKWAY, COLUMBIA, SC 29203) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, IT WAS ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN THE DEALER'S CUSTODY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.