2019 Kia Forte problems and complaints

Owners have filed 147 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Forte. The most-reported areas: Power Train (47), Engine (36), Electrical System (22).

Key takeaways

  • 147 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.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Power Train4732%
Engine3624%
Electrical System2215%
Unknown Or Other2215%
Forward Collision Avoidance1712%
Exterior Lighting1510%
Steering85%
Vehicle Speed Control75%
Air Bags64%
Lane Departure53%
Engine And Engine Cooling43%
Fuel/Propulsion System43%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2019 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD4/54/55/54/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Engine - filed 2026-08-26

recommended engine replacement at 111,000 miles

Electrical System,exterior Lighting,engine - filed 2026-07-13

Power loss, engine failure. Will not start

Engine And Engine Cooling - filed 2026-06-16

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that after driving to the local store and turning off the vehicle, after returning to the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a timing chain failure caused by low engine oi...

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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.