2019 Kia Forte Safety Report
2019 KIA FORTE Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2019 Kia Forte
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2019 Kia Forte. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (138) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 13 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Kia Forte with 21 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Kia Forte before buying across this generation. |
Kia Forte Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Forte years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Kia Forte | 63 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Kia Forte | 133 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Kia Forte | 64 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Kia Forte | 295 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Kia Forte | 21 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Kia Forte | 128 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2019 Kia Forte Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2019 Kia Forte, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
36 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Kia onlyEngine
17 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyElectrical System
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Kia onlyForward Collision Avoidance
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Kia onlySteering
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2019 Kia Forte
Reliability Score
The 2019 Kia Forte receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2019 Kia Forte
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2019 Kia Forte
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2019 Kia Forte:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axle Shaft Assembly Recalled by Kia Motors America for certain 2019 Forte vehicles, the left front axle driveshaft may cause a loss of vehicle control. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Headlights Recalled by Kia Motors America for certain 2019 Forte vehicles equipped with LED headlights, the headlights may not function properly. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Transmission getting stuck in gear and slipping intermittently, causing difficulty in accelerating over 20mph especially in cold conditions. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Engine failures without warning, including stalling and intermittent operation, leading to loss of power and difficulty in driving. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2019 Kia Forte:
Issues with the forward collision avoidance system have been reported.
Problems with the left front axle driveshaft have been reported.
Recalled due to issues with LED headlights.
Transmission issues have been reported, causing difficulty in driving.
Recall Details for the 2019 Kia Forte
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2019 Kia Forte by NHTSA:
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.
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2019 Kia Forte
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2019 Kia Forte with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 3 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
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, ...
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 being driven on a highway at night on [XXX] between mile markers 67-71 in Maryland, creating a dangerous situation for th...
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 did this is would bounce between 500 and 1500rpm and then would stutter and bounce between 1500 and 2500rpm until you di...
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 the engine is a total loss. The same day and shortly before the engine stalled, a check engine light appeared. The driv...
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 or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the owner that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle fo...
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 there were metal shavings inside the engine oil. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicl...
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.
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 stated my oil pan came a loose and caught fire when it hit the ground. Which caused a lot of damage including me need a n...
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 resulted in a serious accident. These incidents have happened several times, and I no longer feel safe driving the vehicle. I...
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 contact observed that the wiring harness showed signs of burn damage. The headlamp warning light was illuminated. The vehi...
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 that the engine was no longer working as it wouldn’t turn over. The report from the mechanic is as follows: “Found exhau...
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 continually swerving in and out around her as she couldn’t maintain the car at a normal pace. It eventually wouldn’t go ov...
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 problems or signs. Need a new engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C...
Oil pump on vehicle failed, result was severe internal damage to motor, entire engine needed replaced at 120,600 miles.
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Lane Keep Assist system activated briefly, taking control of the vehicle and the vehicle started pulling to the right lane. As a result of the failure, the contact completely lost control of the vehicle and spun out into oncoming traffic narrowly avoiding a crash. The vehicle returned to normal functio...
In a car accident I got into, my car’s airbags did not deploy like they should have and therefore I got greater injuries than I should have. I believe I hit the steering wheel and I did hurt my chest. Both my elbows were sore as well and as well as both my knees had big bruises on them. My right knee to this day still has a bruise/mark on it, which still does not feel the same since then. Very s...
Showing 20 of 138 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2019 Kia Forte
Has the 2019 KIA FORTE been recalled?
Yes, the 2019 KIA FORTE has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2019 KIA FORTE have?
The 2019 KIA FORTE has 138 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 10 involved crashes. 5 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2019 KIA FORTE?
The 2019 KIA FORTE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 KIA FORTE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2019 KIA FORTE involve power train (36 complaints), engine (17 complaints), unknown or other (10 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, forward collision avoidance, steering.
How many crash reports does the 2019 KIA FORTE have?
There are 10 crash reports associated with the 2019 KIA FORTE out of 138 total complaints (7.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2019 KIA FORTE have?
There are 3 fire reports for the 2019 KIA FORTE out of 138 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2019 KIA FORTE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 KIA FORTE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2019 KIA FORTE?
5 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 KIA FORTE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2019 KIA FORTE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 KIA FORTE is acceptable with caveats. It has 138 complaints, 2 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2019 KIA FORTE?
The components with the most failures on the 2019 KIA FORTE are: 1. POWER TRAIN (36 complaints), 2. ENGINE (17 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (10 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7 complaints), 5. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (6 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 36 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2019 KIA FORTE?
Be cautious of potential engine and transmission issues, and monitor the forward collision avoidance system for any malfunctions. The 2019 KIA FORTE has 138 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2019 KIA FORTE?
The 2019 KIA FORTE receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 138 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 13 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Axle Shaft Assembly and Headlights.
What are the known issues with the 2019 KIA FORTE?
Known issues with the 2019 KIA FORTE include: Axle Shaft Assembly, Headlights, Transmission, Engine. These are based on patterns found across 138 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2019 KIA FORTE?
Common issues include engine failures, transmission problems, and forward collision avoidance system malfunctions.
Are there any recalls for the 2019 KIA FORTE?
Yes, there are recalls for issues with the left front axle driveshaft and LED headlights.
What should I do if I experience engine stalling or transmission issues?
Have the vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic to diagnose and address the issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential engine and transmission issues, and monitor the forward collision avoidance system for any malfunctions.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2019 Kia Forte
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2019 Kia Forte. The data includes 138 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 10 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 5 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2019 Kia Forte an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16