2019 Kia Forte: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2019 Kia Forte
On the 2019 Kia Forte, the failure owners report most often is other powertrain problem, and the reports cluster around 5,000 miles. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 10,000 miles. Overall it scores 85 out of 100, severe risk for a 2019.
Severe risk for a 2019 — 7th riskiest of the 245 2019 vehicles we can rate. 218 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What owners report breaking
Owners have reported 44 named failure modes on the 2019 Kia Forte, and the three most-reported carry 28% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Other powertrain problem leads with 26 reports, about 15 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 3k to 25,000 miles.
Other engine problem follows with 18 reports, median 30,000 miles.
Complete transmission failure follows with 16 reports, usually reported between 2k to 15,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into transmission (47), engine (36) and adas (29).
At what mileage it happens
92 of the reports on the 2019 Kia Forte came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 10,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 84% by 50,000 miles, 92% by 100,000 miles and 98% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 1 filed above the top of the chart.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 45% of the dated reports.
79% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 44. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 1 report came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
What happens when these parts fail
Across the named modes, 19 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 9 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.98, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500, other engine problem at $300–$4,000, complete transmission failure at $2,800–$8,000 and other driver assistance problem at $250–$1,800. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
41% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 26 | 13 | 3k | 5k | 23k | 14.8 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other engine problem | engine | 18 | 6 | — | 29k | — | 10.3 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 16 | 11 | 2k | 5k | 13k | 9.1 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 15 | 3 | — | 12k | — | 8.6 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 9 | 4 | — | 14k | — | 5.1 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 9 | 3 | — | 63k | — | 5.1 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 7 | 6 | — | 6k | — | 4.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Lane keep or steering assist fault | adas | 7 | 1 | — | 11k | — | 4.0 | $200–$1,600 | High |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 6 | 2 | — | 16k | — | 3.4 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 6 | 1 | — | 39k | — | 3.4 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 6 | 1 | — | 17k | — | 3.4 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 6 | 4 | — | 20k | — | 3.4 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Excessive oil consumption | engine | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 2.9 | $900–$6,500 | High |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 5 | 4 | — | 62 | — | 2.9 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Overheating | cooling | 5 | 3 | — | 101k | — | 2.9 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 5 | 2 | — | 50k | — | 2.9 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 4 | 1 | — | 52k | — | 2.3 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Audio or connectivity failure | infotainment | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 2.3 | $150–$900 | Low |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 4 | 4 | — | 2k | — | 2.3 | $200–$900 | High |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 4 | 3 | — | 11k | — | 2.3 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| CVT failure | transmission | 3 | 3 | — | 31k | — | 1.7 | $3,000–$8,500 | Critical |
| Strut, shock or spring failure | suspension | 3 | 3 | — | 10k | — | 1.7 | $500–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 3 | 1 | — | 19k | — | 1.7 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 3 | 2 | — | 45k | — | 1.7 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure | engine | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $1,200–$4,500 | Critical |
| Transmission will not engage a gear | transmission | 2 | 1 | — | 3k | — | 1.1 | $1,500–$6,000 | Critical |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 2 | 2 | — | 9k | — | 1.1 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 2 | 1 | — | 3k | — | 1.1 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 2 | 1 | — | 70k | — | 1.1 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Water pump failure | cooling | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $500–$2,200 | High |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 1 | 1 | — | 1k | — | 0.6 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Premature brake pad or rotor wear | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $300–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 1 | 1 | — | 14k | — | 0.6 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Paint peeling or clear coat failure | body | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $600–$6,000 | Low |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Catalytic converter failure | emissions | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $900–$3,500 | Moderate |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Unclassified problem | other | 11 | 4 | — | 1k | — | 6.3 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2019 Kia Forte draws about 124 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 99th percentile of complaint rates among 2019 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 1,754 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2019 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
Recalls on the 2019 model year
NHTSA has issued 2 recall campaigns covering the 2019 Kia Forte, affecting an estimated 2,588 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover power train:axle assembly:axle shaft and exterior lighting:headlights. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
834 vehicles 2020-08-05- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1,754 vehicles 2018-10-31- Defect
- 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."
- Consequence
- 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.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2019 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Better and worse years of the same car
Severe risk for a 2019 — 7th riskiest of the 245 2019 vehicles we can rate. Because the ranking is against the same model year only, age cancels out of it.
Across the 15 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2014 comes out best at 71 and 2019 worst at 85, with 2019 itself at 85.
If the model year is negotiable, 2014, 2016, 2011, 2020, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2024 and 2023 score lower than 2019 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2019–2021 generation specifically, 2020 is the strongest year at 73 and 2019 the weakest at 85.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2019-2021 generation, 2020 Kia Forte scores best at 73 and 2019 Kia Forte worst at 85.
Where to spend the inspection money
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: complete transmission failure from about 2k and other powertrain problem from about 3k.
On a 2019 Kia Forte with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether complete transmission failure has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
None of this is a diagnosis. It is a list of what other owners of the same model year reported, ordered by when they reported it, which is a good place to point an inspection and a poor place to stop.
What this page cannot tell you
218 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 218 reports, 92 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 42% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Kia Forte?
The most-reported failures are other powertrain problem (26 reports, median 5,000 miles), other engine problem (18 reports, median 30,000 miles) and complete transmission failure (16 reports, median 5,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2019 Kia Forte problems start?
Other powertrain problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 5,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 5,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 10,000 miles.
Is the 2019 Kia Forte reliable?
It scores 85 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 7th riskiest of the 245 2019 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2019 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Kia Forte is best?
Within the 2019–2021 generation, 2020 scores best at 73 out of 100 and 2019 worst at 85. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed