NHTSA has 149 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Kia Forte[1]. The biggest group names the power train, with 48 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Power Train. 48 complaints[2]. Owners describe the car losing power or refusing to accelerate on the road, then needing a tow to the dealer. Several say it happened within months of buying the car.
- Engine. 41 complaints[6]. Owners describe hard starts, stalling while driving, and warning lights followed by a loss of power. Some mention oil trouble.
- Electrical System. 23 complaints[7]. Owners describe dash warnings that appear for no clear reason, screens and gauges that go blank, and messages about lights that seem to work fine.
- Unknown Or Other. 22 complaints[8]. These reports do not fit a single component group.
- Forward Collision Avoidance. 17 complaints[9]. Owners describe the warning system switching itself off, flashing camera messages, and brakes that apply on their own.
- Exterior Lighting. 15 complaints[10].
- Steering. 9 complaints[11].
- Speed Control. 7 complaints[12].
These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name several components.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2019 Forte is necessarily included.
- Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft (20V459), August 2020. About 834 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Exterior Lighting › Headlights (18V771), October 2018. About 1,754 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Forte FE, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 31 / 41 / 35 | $1,900 |
| Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] | 30 / 40 / 34 | $1,950 |
| Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] | 27 / 37 / 31 | $2,150 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD[5] | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 10.7% |
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2019 Kia Forte with 2.0L 4-cylinder[17] | 147 hp |
How 2019 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 232 | 3 |
| 2011 | 162 | 3 |
| 2012 | 306 | 4 |
| 2013 | 211 | 5 |
| 2014 | 445 | 3 |
| 2015 | 260 | 1 |
| 2016 | 138 | 1 |
| 2017 | 305 | 3 |
| 2018 | 136 | 3 |
| 2019 | 149 | 2 |
| 2020 | 78 | 0 |
| 2021 | 69 | 2 |
| 2022 | 28 | 1 |
| 2023 | 65 | 3 |
| 2024 | 26 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Forte show 149 complaints and 2 recalls for 2019[3]. Among the 15 model years listed, 7 have fewer complaints than 2019 and 7 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2024 (26) and the most are for 2014 (445)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2019 Forte?
The 2019 Kia Forte has 149 complaints on file[1]. The power train and engine groups lead the list with 48[2] and 41[6]. Electrical complaints follow with 23[7], and forward collision avoidance has 17[9]. The page also lists 2 recalls[3], so check that the work was done before you buy. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what owners report, not a ranking.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Kia Forte?
- The largest complaint groups are the power train with 48 complaints[2] and the engine with 41[6]. Electrical issues come next with 23[7].
- Has the 2019 Kia Forte been recalled?
- Yes, the by-year data shows 2 recalls for 2019[3]. Details are in the Recalls section on this page.
- Is the 2019 Kia Forte reliable?
- NHTSA has 149 owner complaints on file[1]. These reports are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide and see the groups above.
- How many 2019 Kia Forte owners reported a crash or fire?
- NHTSA lists 11 complaints that mention a crash and 4 that mention a fire[1].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2019 Kia Forte?
- See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Kia Forte
Compare all model years of the Kia Forte
Other Kia models from 2019
Similar cars from 2019: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 149 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Kia Forte (11 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 48 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,280). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Forte model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Forte FE, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 31 city / 41 highway / 35 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 41 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,023). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 11,496). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the unknown or other component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,892). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 15 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V459, filed August 5, 2020: Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V771, filed October 31, 2018: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Forte, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 37 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2019 Kia Forte with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 147 hp. www.epa.gov