2019 Kia Forte problems and complaints
Owners have filed 149 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Forte. The most-reported areas: Power Train (48), Engine (37), Electrical System (23).
Key takeaways
- 149 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 11 involve a crash, 4 a fire, 5 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 48 | 32% |
| Engine | 37 | 25% |
| Electrical System | 23 | 15% |
| Unknown Or Other | 22 | 15% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 17 | 11% |
| Exterior Lighting | 15 | 10% |
| Steering | 9 | 6% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 5% |
| Air Bags | 6 | 4% |
| Lane Departure | 5 | 3% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 | 3% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 | 3% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Steering,electrical System,engine - filed 2026-10-14
I took my 2019 Kia Forte LXS to a certified Kia dealership to have the mandatory anti-theft security upgrade performed (Campaign CS2312), which involves installing an ignition cylinder protector plate inside the steering column. Immediately after picking up the vehicle, multiple severe safety and electrical defects app...
Power Train - filed 2026-10-13
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at 70-75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and the check engine warning light illuminated, causing the contact and her daughter to be stranded on the highway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the spark plugs and igni...
Engine - filed 2026-08-26
recommended engine replacement at 111,000 miles
Diagnose it yourself
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
More for the 2019 Kia Forte
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.