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2019 Kia Forte

Gas
Midsize Cars
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
84 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA147
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA35 mpg
202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2019 Kia Forte is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Forte FE, is EPA-rated at 35 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 147 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Forte FEGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl314135$1,800
ForteGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl304034$1,850
ForteGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl273731$2,000

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 40489, 40490, 40491.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2019 Kia Forte is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Power Train

SC195
834 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskA broken driveshaft can result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.FixKia 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V459000reported Aug 5, 2020Kia Motors America
▲high

Exterior Lighting

SC171
1,754 vehicles
ProblemKia 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."RiskIf the headlights are not properly aimed, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.FixKia 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V771000reported Oct 31, 2018Kia Motors America

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
147complaints filed

11 involved a crash · 4 a fire · 5 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 2 · 2019: 27 · 2020: 22 · 2021: 21 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 13 · 2024: 19 · 2025: 15 · 2026: 17

Most-cited components

Power Train47
Engine36
Unspecified22
Electrical System22
Forward Collision Avoidance22
Exterior Lighting17

What owners describe

“Hesitates to start. Spudders when in drive “Dâ€�. Must drive in “Sâ€� sport to stop the spuddering.”Oct 9, 2022 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“The car I currently have was recalled in 2020 one year before I brought the car . For POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT . I could have been in a really bad car accident September 18 . My car completely shut off while I was making a right turn right in the middle of the street won’t start just dead . I had to push …”Sep 27, 2022 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the message "Check Brake Lights" displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. However, upon inspecting the brake lights, her father noticed that the brake lights were operating as designed. The contact…”Jul 21, 2022 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Forte model years

A

2024 Kia Forte

0 recalls · 24 complaints

D

2023 Kia Forte

3 recalls · 61 complaints

A

2022 Kia Forte

1 recalls · 26 complaints

B

2021 Kia Forte

2 recalls · 67 complaints

A

2020 Kia Forte

0 recalls · 74 complaints

C

2018 Kia Forte

3 recalls · 136 complaints

C

2017 Kia Forte

3 recalls · 301 complaints

A

2016 Kia Forte

1 recalls · 137 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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