2019 Kia FORTE
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2019 Kia FORTE has 213 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 213. The most common issue is transmission problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: the car stopped in the middle of the highway. the car would would move forward or go backward. transmission problem. and only had the car for less than 2 months.. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.
213
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
47 complaints- • THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WOULD WOULD MOVE FORWARD OR GO BACKWARD. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. AND ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 MONTHS.
- • THE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. I OWNED THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 3 MONTHS.
- • DROVE IT A TOTAL OF 2150 MILES AND TRANSMISSION BLEW. BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH RENTAL UNDER WARRANTY AGREEMENT. DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO WOULD NOT GIVE ME A SERVICE LOANER OR PUT ME INTO A RENTAL CAR UNDER KIA. HAD TO COME OUT OF POCKET FOR A RENTAL CAR. SPOKE TO MANY PEOPLE AT KIA. FINALLY GOT A HOLD
“THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WOULD WOULD MOVE FORWARD OR GO BACKWARD. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. AND ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 MONTHS.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2019 Kia FORTE
Based on 93 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 10K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
TRANSMISSION
ENGINE
ELECTRICAL
LIGHTING
OTHER
STEERING
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (2)
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."
Risk: If the headlights are not properly aimed, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Very high theft risk
The Kia FORTE was the #8 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 10,800 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Kia FORTE
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Kia FORTE
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Kia FORTE Service Intervals
Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners
These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2019 FORTE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 213 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WOULD WOULD MOVE FORWARD OR GO BACKWARD. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. AND ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 MONTHS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: WITH LESS THAN 8K MILES ON OUR FORTE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN THE OIL LIGHT WENT ON. WE MOVED TO THE RIGHT LANE AND WITHIN SECONDS ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. WE COASTED OFF THE HIGHWAY TO FIND OIL SPILLING FROM THE CAR. WHEN WE P
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE 'CAMERA OBSTRUCTED' WARNING SYMBOL STARTED TO FLASH. ALSO, THE BRAKES ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COLLISION AV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE EVEN THO THE RPMS WOULD, AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Kia FORTE — Year Comparison
How does 2019 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 213
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 4
- Crash reports
- 11
- Injury reports
- 5
- Segment avg
- 213
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2019 Kia FORTE