2019 Kia Forte: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2019 Kia Forte? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 141 complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain as the top reported area.
2019 Kia Forte Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2019 Kia Forte trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2019 Kia Forte Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
10.7% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
10.7% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2019 Kia Forte has 141 owner complaints, 11 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Kia
- Model
- Forte
- Model year
- 2019
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 141
- Crash-related complaints
- 11
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 34
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 30 / 40
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2019 Kia Forte Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Uncategorized Issues
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Engine Problems, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2019 Kia Forte?
The 2019 Kia Forte shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2019 Kia Forte
Inspection Focus
- Inspect transmission/drivetrain for any signs of issues or prior repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine and transmission work.
- Have a mechanic inspect the forward collision avoidance system and electrical components before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect transmission/drivetrain for any signs of issues or prior repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine and transmission work.
- Have a mechanic inspect the forward collision avoidance system and electrical components before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2019 Kia Forte, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2019 Kia Forte are concentrated in the transmission/drivetrain and engine, with a notable number of reports related to forward collision avoidance and electrical faults. The data suggests potential issues in these areas, though the low confidence level and limited model year range warrant caution.
- Transmission/drivetrain complaints account for the largest share of reports.
- Engine problems are the second most common complaint category.
- Forward collision avoidance: AEB and electrical faults each have over a dozen complaints.
- Transmission / Drivetrain issues are the most frequently reported problem.
- Engine Problems are a recurring theme in complaints.
- Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB system malfunctions are noted.
All 2019 Kia Forte Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Kia Forte. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 46 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 36 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 22 | 4 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 20 | 3 | 2 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 14 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 6 | 6 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2019 Kia Forte. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
My car has cut off on me going down the road and it cut back on I have had where the car is slow at acceleration and trying to stall out on me and causing a car to almost hit me in the bumper cause of it the car only has 112,580 miles and have not been able to drive the car since…
As I was driving on the turnpike the car engine literally just shut down on me! It could have caused a serious accident. This is the 3rd time when driving the car just stopped on its own on me! Gas tank full, oil good and battery good, but the engine is not! It gave me NO WARNING…
Car caught on fire while driving down the highway. Had engine replaced with a remanufactured engine in January of 2026 and car engine seized again 30 days later.
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, whi…
2019 Kia with approximately 64,000 miles. Engine failed without warning. Prior to failure, vehicle had been experiencing intermittent stalling on multiple prior occasions and had been brought to a mechanic for inspection before the final failure occurred. Vehicle stalled while be…
Transmission was getting stuck in gear and slipping intermittently would cause the car to not accelerate over 20mph especially in the cold unless you switched it to the manual mode and manually shifted up two gears ans then back down two gears. If you looked at the tach while it …
Engine stalled while driving causing the car to turn off in traffic. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This caused loss of power and steering at 45 miles per hour and could have caused a collision. A licensed and accredited auto mechanic has confirmed that …
When turning on the car the check engine light comes on. Then when accelerating there is a clicking noise and smoke coming from the engine.
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact was notified by her son that the third brake light was burned and was melting. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and suggested that a diagnostic test be performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed …
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that during start-up, the vehicle was rattling and vibrating abnormally with a clanking sound while shifting into gear. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the crankcase sensor was faulty, and that th…
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 war…
October 2, 2025 @ approximately 7:30a. I was heading east on I-10 on my way to work when I seen white smoke coming from under my car. I pulled over, noticed it was on fire. There was a man passing by who seen me & was nice enough to stop & put the fire out. The firefighter then s…
I am writing to report a recurring and potentially dangerous issue with my Kia Forte. My vehicle has randomly failed to start on multiple occasions, requiring a jump start. More concerning, it has also shut off while I was driving, which is extremely alarming and could have resul…
Motor started ticking....then just stopped running...motor blew up..checked the oil and it had metal flaking in it..
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, there was smoke coming from the front driver’s side headlamp, prompting the contact to have her son disconnect the headlamp wiring harness. After a visual inspection, the co…
My daughter was driving on the highway. She was driving at 65 mph and then the car started to jolt a couple of times. She kept driving and then it started to feel sluggish and lost some power. Would not accelerate over 45 mph. She was almost rear ended several times and people co…
I was driving in Elk River, MN when my car all of a sudden stopped accelerating I then coasted into a street with a dead end to get away from traffic before the car ended up dying though the electronics remained on. I tried restarting the vehicle with no luck. It was clear to me …
Severe, early onset clear coat paint damage.
Oil plug came out while driving causing an engine failure. We have seen several report already made for this issue.
On [XXX] my son was driving on the highway when the car suddenly shut off.. thank god he was able to safely get to the side of the road. Had it towed to my local mechanic who stated that the engine is seized up. The car is only 6 yrs old and well maintained. There were no prior…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2019 Kia Forte.
2019 Kia Forte Recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2019 Kia Forte. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2019 Kia Forte Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2019 Kia Forte reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 141 owner complaints, 11 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2019 Kia Forte shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Kia Forte?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (46 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (36 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (22 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2019 Kia Forte?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2019 Kia Forte?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2019 Kia Forte, NHTSA complaints include 11 crash-related reports and 4 fire reports out of 141 total complaints. 5 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2019 Kia Forte have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2019 Kia Forte. A major recall area is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2019 Kia Forte?▾
The 2019 Kia Forte shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Kia Forte reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2019 Kia Forte based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.