Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2019 Kia Forte. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Left Front Axle Driveshaft May Break
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- A broken driveshaft can result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Incorrect Low Beam Aiming/FMVSS 108
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- If the headlights are not properly aimed, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (147)
147 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 147 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 47 | 32% |
| Engine | 36 | 24.5% |
| Electrical system | 22 | 15% |
| Unknown or other | 22 | 15% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 17 | 11.6% |
| Exterior lighting | 15 | 10.2% |
| Steering | 8 | 5.4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 4.8% |
| Air bags | 6 | 4.1% |
| Lane departure | 5 | 3.4% |
How 2019 compares with other Forte years
Best and worst Forte years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 260 | 1 |
| 2016 | 136 | 1 |
| 2017 | 304 | 3 |
| 2018 | 136 | 3 |
| 2019 | 147 | 2 |
| 2020 | 76 | 0 |
| 2021 | 69 | 2 |
| 2022 | 27 | 1 |
| 2023 | 63 | 3 |
| 2024 | 26 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 4 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2019 Kia Forte 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 35 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $1,900
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 256 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 35 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 / 41 / 35 | $1,900 | 256 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 / 40 / 34 | $1,950 | 267 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 37 / 31 | $2,150 | 290 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2019 Forte for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2019 Kia Forte FAQ
How many recalls does the 2019 Kia Forte have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 20V459000 (power train), 18V771000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2019 Kia Forte problems?
Owners filed 147 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (47), Engine (36), Electrical system (22) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2019 Kia Forte get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · CVT version at 31 city, 41 highway and 35 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2019 Kia Forte get?
NHTSA rated the 2019 Kia Forte 4 dr fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (10.7% rollover risk).
How does the 2019 Forte compare with other years?
Among the 2015–2021 Kia Forte model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (69) and the 2017 the most (304). The 2019 drew 147. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.