This page covers 4 recalls, 143 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2019 Kia Forte.
31–34 mpg combined
6.9–7.6 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Powertrain and engine complaints dominate what 2019 Forte owners report. On the powertrain side, owners frequently describe transmission hesitation, sluggish acceleration, and stalling at speed, several report the vehicle slowing unexpectedly on highways or failing to accelerate normally from a stop. Engine complaints follow a similar pattern, with owners describing sudden shutdowns while driving, sometimes with no warning lights beforehand, and the engine restarting on its own after the fact. Oil leaks appear in a handful of engine reports, with owners noticing oil on the ground after warning lights triggered. Forward collision avoidance also draws notable complaints, with owners describing the system activating unexpectedly or behaving erratically in normal driving conditions. The most consistent thread across the higher-volume complaints is the unexpected loss of power or stalling while the vehicle is in motion.
143
Total Complaints
11
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
5
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 Kia Forte has 4 recalls, the most serious being a left-front axle shaft that can break, causing a sudden loss of drive power or, if the car is parked without the parking brake engaged, an unexpected rollaway.
The axle defect stems from a shaft that was not properly hardened during production, leaving it brittle enough to snap under normal driving loads. When it goes, the driver will feel an abrupt loss of acceleration and may lose the ability to move the vehicle under its own power. The rollaway risk is present any time the car is left in gear without the parking brake applied, since a broken shaft can no longer keep the drivetrain locked. There is also a lighting concern affecting models equipped with LED headlights: the low beams on certain vehicles were set to the wrong angle at the factory, which can leave the road ahead underlit at night or throw glare toward oncoming drivers, reducing visibility for everyone involved.
At a glance
What can fail
The left-front axle shaft may lack proper heat treatment and could break, causing loss of power to the wheels. An unbraked parked vehicle could roll away.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the left-front axle shaft for a heat treatment code. If missing, the shaft will be replaced.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left front axle driveshaft may lack proper heat treatment, which can cause it to break.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the driveshaft for a heat treatment verification code and replace it if missing.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
LED headlamps may have incorrect low-beam aiming, reducing roadway illumination and increasing crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the headlamps and replace them as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
LED headlights on some 2019 Kia Forte vehicles were manufactured with incorrect low beam aiming, causing them to not meet federal lighting standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect headlight aiming and replace the headlights if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
