NHTSA has received 147 owner complaints about the 2019 Kia Forte, or 18.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.47, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 78 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #26 of 78 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Kia models its rate is 46% lower; against other Compact cars it is 14% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-11-07 and 2026-08-26. Median delay from incident to filing: 17 days.
147Complaints
18.9Complaints per year on the road
0.47Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls
10.2%Share involving a crash or fire
21Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 15.5 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 11.5 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 51 complaints, 36% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Transmission / powertrain (28.6% of complaints), followed by Engine (27.2%) and Electrical (10.9%). Transmission / powertrain complaints are 2.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 15 reports (10.2%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 5 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 31 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (29% of incidents). In the last 12 months 21 new complaints were filed, versus 13 in the 12 months before — up 62%.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.47
vs. other Kia models0.54
vs. other 2019 models0.42
vs. other Compact cars0.86
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (51)0.64
As I was driving on the turnpike the car engine literally just shut down on me! It could have caused a serious accident. This is the 3rd time when driving the car just stopped on its own on me! Gas tank full, oil good and battery good, but the engine is not!
Engine · 2026-04-07 · ODI 11729604 · Crash
Car caught on fire while driving down the highway. Had engine replaced with a remanufactured engine in January of 2026 and car engine seized again 30 days later.
Engine · 2026-04-06 · ODI 11729517 · Fire
While driving, the Forward Collision Warning system activated unexpectedly without any apparent hazard or obstruction in front of my vehicle. Immediately after the warning appeared, the vehicle suddenly lost speed and became very slow to accelerate.
Electrical · 2026-06-01 · ODI 11741432
The transmission had a recall 2 years ago and they gave me a new one (KIA). I am having issues with my transmission again
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-05-04 · ODI 11735430
Transmission was getting stuck in gear and slipping intermittently would cause the car to not accelerate over 20mph especially in the cold unless you switched it to the manual mode and manually shifted up two gears ans then back down two gears.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-03-06 · ODI 11722394
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT Campaign 20V459000 · 2020-08-05
Summary: 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.
Risk: A broken driveshaft can result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC195.
Summary: 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.
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 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC171.
