2019 Kia Forte Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2019 Kia Forte, and owners have filed 147 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2019 Kia Forte
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Axle shaft (power train)
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Forte vehicles. The left front axle driveshaft may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to break.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left front axle driveshaft for a heat treatment verification code, and replace it if the code is missing, free of charge. The recall began September 2, 2020. Owners…
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Headlights (exterior lighting)
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…
Remedy: 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…
147 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2019 Kia Forte have filed 147 complaints with NHTSA; 11 describe a crash and 4 describe a fire. Reports cite 5 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 23,540 miles. Complaints peaked in 2019 with 27 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“recommended engine replacement at 111,000 miles”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 26, 2026 · Engine
“Power loss, engine failure. Will not start”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 13, 2026 · Electrical system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2019 Kia Forte (Forte FE). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 31–35 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 27–31 / 37–41 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios); Manual 6-spd |
Compare Kia Forte model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Forte model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Kia Forte | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 Kia Forte | 3 | 221 |
| 2011 Kia Forte | 3 | 153 |
| 2012 Kia Forte | 4 | 292 |
| 2013 Kia Forte | 5 | 195 |
| 2014 Kia Forte | 3 | 444 |
| 2015 Kia Forte | 1 | 260 |
| 2016 Kia Forte | 1 | 136 |
| 2017 Kia Forte | 3 | 305 |
| 2018 Kia Forte | 3 | 136 |
| 2019 Kia Forte | 2 | 147 |
| 2020 Kia Forte | 0 | 77 |
| 2021 Kia Forte | 2 | 69 |
| 2022 Kia Forte | 1 | 28 |
| 2023 Kia Forte | 3 | 63 |
| 2024 Kia Forte | 0 | 26 |
Checking a specific 2019 Kia Forte
How do I know if my 2019 Kia Forte has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2019 Kia Forte; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kia dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 18V771000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Kia models
- Sorento10,183 complaints
- Optima7,512 complaints
- Soul5,553 complaints
- Sportage4,699 complaints
- Sedona2,410 complaints
- Telluride2,026 complaints
- Sephia1,705 complaints
- Rio1,291 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.