The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 48 of 150 complaints (32%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 136 in 2018 to 150 in 2019.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 150
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $1,800–$2,000
- Combined MPG
- 31–35
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | vs. 2019 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,500 | 1,950–2,500 | 1,800–2,000 | 1,800–2,200 | 1,800–2,200 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–32 | 25–32 | 31–35 | 28–35 | 28–35 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23–29 / 29–38 | 23–29 / 29–37 | 27–31 / 37–41 | 25–31 / 32–41 | 25–31 / 32–41 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 301–353 | 279–353 | 256–290 | 256–326 | 256–326 | |
| Complaints filed | 305 | 136 | 150 | 78 | 69 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 23 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 11 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 10 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 21 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2019 Kia Forte have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2019 Kia Forte?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 48 of 150 NHTSA complaints (32%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Kia Forte get?
EPA rates it 31–35 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Kia Forte?
EPA estimates $1,800–$2,000 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 31 mpg (high) | 41 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | $1,800 (low) | 256 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 30 mpg | 40 mpg | 34 mpg | $1,850 | 267 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 27 mpg (low) | 37 mpg (low) | 31 mpg (low) | $2,000 (high) | 290 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 42 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 23 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 6 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 16 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 22 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
- 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
- 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.