2019 KIA Forte

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/22/2021· POWER TRAIN

  My car was vehicle was driving on the highway over 200 miles away from home when I was driving about 65 mph the speed limit. When trying to accelerate on the Highway my vehicle would jump from 2,000 RPMs - 4,000 RPM not going faster. As I hit the gas my speed decreased and I pulled over the side of the road. When I tried to turn on/off my car the check engine light randomly appeared and I was stuck on the side of the road unable to accelerate. My car could have been rear ended on the Highway with Speed Limit of 65 MPH and I could have died if I didn't think quickly and pull to the side of the road. The dealer that the car towed to confirmed my car's transmission needed to be replaced. The only prior warning was my car's acceleration was decreased after Recall SC199 was completed by the dealership.

• 12/22/2020· WHEELS

  WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, DASHBOARD ALERTED TO FRONT END COLLISION WARNINGS BUT I WAS NOT IN A COLLISION THEN MOMENTS LATER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW CAUSING BODY DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER AND GUARDS, TOTALLY SHREDDING THE TIRE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 18,500 MILES AND TIRES WERE PROPERLY INFLATED. NORMAL DRIVING USE. TIRES ARE MADE BY KUMHO AND THE CAR IS A KIA FORTE. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THESE SPECIFIC BRAND TIRES BLOWING OUT AROUND 20,000 MILES EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE GUARANTEED FOR 70,000 MILES. UNFORTUNATELY BLOW OUTS, BUBBLES, ETC ARE ALL NOT COVERED UNDER TIRE WARRANTY OR UNDER CAR WARRANTY. VERY DISAPPOINTING AND VERY DANGEROUS.

• 12/06/2024· BACK OVER PREVENTION

  CarPlay digital screen is bubbling on the right side, up the top and now to the left part of the screen. I was told by Kia Service it would take $1200 to repair and to use it til it breaks. I googled this issue and learned a lot of Kia cars from 2019 have the same issue. This bubbling is caused by the car heating up internally, which no car owner has control over. This bubbling results in the screen not working. Which means I will be driving and pressing the screen and nothing happens. Then, I have to agressively press deeply onto the screen until it works and it takes my focus off the road longer than I would like. It also makes the screen glitch out and moves the CarPlay screen around so things aren’t centered. I went to look just now to see if maybe this has since been recalled since I last asked about it in 2022. That’s when I found multiple forums with people complaining about the same problem. This seems to be the only avenue to try and complain about this because this shouldn’t be on owners to pay in full when we aren’t creating the issue. This is a manufacturing issue and not realizing these LED screens can’t handle the hot heat cars will sit in when AC isn’t running. What can be done to compensate people experiencing this issue?

• 12/03/2019· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA FORTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE RPMS INCREASED TO 4; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALL STAR KIA OF SAN BERNARDINO (735 SHOW CASE DR N, SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92408, (888) 480-0418) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTELLIGENT VARIABLE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.

• 12/02/2019· POWER TRAIN

  I WAS DRIVING MY 2019 KIA FORTE AT 75 MPH, THEN LOWERED MY SPEED, THEN ACCELERATED AGAIN. A LOUD SCREECH/GRINDING SOUND HAPPENED, THEN THE CAR STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE ROADSIDE, AND RE-START THE CAR. I WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR OVER 15 MPH. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THEY DROVE THE CAR, BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I INSISTED THAT THERE IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I SUGGESTED THEY INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL.

• 12/02/2019· POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW IN APRIL 2019. I HAD IT'S 15,000 MILE CHECK UP ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. RIGHT AROUND THAT TIME I NOTICED THAT WHEN I ACCELERATED, MY CAR WOULD JUMP. THE RPM WOULD BOUNCE BETWEEN 1-2 RPMS AND WHEN I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND EVEN TEST DROVE IT. I WAS SURE SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND WE WENT OUT ON ANOTHER TEST DRIVE AND SURE ENOUGH IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THE NEXT DAY THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND THAT IT DIDN'T TRIGGER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING A NEW TRANSMISSION.

• 12/02/2019· POWER TRAIN

  ON 11/27, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2019 KIA FORTE S WITH ABOUT 5,000 MILES ON IT AND SAID IT WAS DOING SOMETHING REALLY STRANGE. SHE WOULD PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL LIKE NORMAL, BUT THE RPMS WOULD SOAR AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP BUT THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. WE DROVE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN SHE GOT BACK AND I NOTICED THE SAME THING. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN THE AREA THAT NIGHT TO BRING IT IN ON FRIDAY, 11/29. THERE WERE NO ISSUES ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT MORNING WHICH IS ABOUT 20 MINUTES AWAY. WE LET THEM KNOW WE HAVE A LONG TRIP BACK THE NEXT DAY AND WANTED TO BE SURE THERE WASN'T A BIG ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT SINCE THERE WASN'T AN ENGINE LIGHT ON, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY CODES TO TROUBLESHOOT THE ISSUE AND WE WERE SENT ON OUR WAY. AN HOUR INTO OUR TRIP ON 11/30, WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 70 MPH AND THE CAR STARTED HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. IT WOULD REV UP DRAMATICALLY WHEN TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL AND WE SOON LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. NO ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GOT IT TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. THEY COULDN'T LOOK AT IT THEN SO WE GOT A RENTAL CAR TO GET BACK HOME. I GOT IN TOUCH WITH THEM THE FOLLOWING MONDAY AND THEY SAID THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THEY WILL COVER THE RENTAL CAR EXPENSE AS WELL. I'M HOPEFUL THE NEW TRANSMISSION WILL FIX THIS ISSUE AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL REOCCUR AFTER ANOTHER 5,000 MILES.

• 11/29/2024· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,SERVICE BRAKES

  The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear brake lights failed to illuminate while depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the A/C was blowing hot air. Additionally, the front and rear passenger’s side windows were rolling down independently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously in a crash, and the frame was overheating. The contact confirmed that the vehicle did not have a Salvage Title. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,900.

• 11/29/2022· LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

  Forward Collision Obstruction light keeps popping on while driving very randomly steering sometimes doesn’t work and brakes sometimes don’t work all very random sometimes car is completely fine sometimes it’s not… it’s very scary I haven’t taken it in to be inspected yet. Headlight fail light keeps turning on and off as well

• 11/26/2018· AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,SEATSCrash

  ON NOVEMBER 12,2018 I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 65 MPH WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED BY A HIT AND RUN DRIVER THAT SEEMED TO BE DOING FULL SPEED, AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE I NEVER HEARD ANY SCREECHING BRAKES BEHIND ME. THE IMPACT TOTALED MY CAR, WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE DAMAGE TO THE TRUNK. THE IMPACT MADE MY CAR SPIN AROUND AND AT SOME POINT MY FRONT BUMPER HIT SOMETHING, BUT NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED WHATSOEVER. MY SEAT BELT WAS STILL LOCKED IN PLACE, BUT SOMEHOW MY SEAT RECLINED BACK JUST ENOUGH FOR ME TO BE DISLODGED FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT AND END UP IN THE BACK SEAT, RESULTING IN A BROKEN VERTEBRAE IN MY NECK. WHY DID NOT ONE AIRBAG GO OFF AND WHY DID MY SEAT BELT NOT HOLD ME IN PLACE?

• 11/19/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash

  The contact owned a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at night in foggy weather conditions at 55 mph, the contact rear-ended a parked vehicle while trying to avoid hitting a deer. The gear shift was still in DRIVE but the vehicle was completely stopped from the impact. The driver air bag deployed upon impact and the seat belt did not restrain the contact in her seat during impact. The contact was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained to her head from hitting the windshield and her hips from hitting the steering wheel, which prevented her from flying out of the windshield when the seat belt failed. The contact also sustained additional injuries to her shoulder, neck, and back. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was involved in another collision in September 2019, when another vehicle crashed into the contact's rear driver's side door. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer referred the contact to filing a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

• 11/16/2025· ENGINEFire

  October 2, 2025 @ approximately 7:30a. I was heading east on I-10 on my way to work when I seen white smoke coming from under my car. I pulled over, noticed it was on fire. There was a man passing by who seen me & was nice enough to stop & put the fire out. The firefighter then stated my oil pan came a loose and caught fire when it hit the ground. Which caused a lot of damage including me need a new engine. The firefighter stated the pan is useless & is a safety hazard.

• 11/07/2018· WHEELS

  I BOUGHT THIS CAR 2 MONTHS AGO AND THEY NEVER TOLD ME IT DOESNT COME WITH A DONUT OR SPARE TIRE ......THIS IS UNSAFE

• 11/05/2020· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  THERE IS/WAS A FLIMSY PLASTIC "SHIELD" COVERING THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THIS CAR BENEATH THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CALLING IT A SHIELD IS A STRETCH CONSIDERING HOW FLIMSY IT IS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS CALLED AND APPARENTLY NO ONE AT KIA USA OR THEIR DEALERSHIPS DOES EITHER. I HAVE TRIED MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS PARTS DEPARTMENTS AND CORPORATE FOR MONTHS NOW AND NONE OF THEM SEEM TO BE ABLE TO FIND THE PART OR TELL ME WHAT IT IS CALLED. THREE TIMES NOW THE LEADING EDGE HAS COME LOOSE AND DRAGGED THE ROAD. IT SCRAPES AND EVENTUALLY BREAKS OFF IF I DON'T CUT IT OFF FIRST. THERE IS VERY LITTLE LEFT OF IT NOW. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE SECOND TIME IT STARTED SCRAPING I THINK IT SCOOPED SOMETHING UP OFF THE ROAD AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FUEL LINE, BECAUSE WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED I SMELLED GASOLINE. THERE WAS A PINHOLE IN THE FUEL LINE AND IT WAS SPRAYING OUT UNDER PRESSURE. THIS FLIMSY PLASTIC PIECE IS THE ONLY THING BETWEEN THE FUEL LINE AND ANY ROAD HAZARDS THAT MIGHT DAMAGE THE FUEL LINE. IF I HADN'T GOTTEN OUT TO CHECK ON IT, MY CAR MIGHT WELL HAVE CAUGHT FIRE! IT'S NOT VERY FAR FROM THE EXHAUST, FORTUNATELY IT WASN'T SPRAYING ON THAT! THE LINES ARE RECESSED IN A CHANNEL, BUT THIS OBVIOUSLY WASN'T ENOUGH PROTECTION. A METAL PLATE OVER THE CHANNEL WOULD PROVIDE SOME ACTUAL PROTECTION. AS IT STANDS NOW, I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH A SIGNIFICANT LENGTH OF THE FUEL LINE EXPOSED TO ROAD HAZARDS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHAT THE PART IS CALLED TO ORDER IT FOR ME. I DO NOT RECALL THE EXACT DATE, SO I PICKED ONE SINCE IT WOULDN'T LET ME CONTINUE WITHOUT. I BELIEVE THE MONTH IS CORRECT, BUT AM NOT EVEN 100% SURE ABOUT THAT.

• 10/28/2019· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE VERY DIM AND THE CONTACT DID NOT SEE AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD. TO AVOID THE ANIMAL, THE CONTACT VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. *DT*JB

• 10/23/2020· POWER TRAIN

  I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON MA 495 NORTH NEAR HAVERHILL MA WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR WAS OVER-REVVING AND NO POWER WAS GETTING TO THE WHEELS. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I WAS LUCKY I MADE IT TO A REST STOP. I TALKED TO THE TECH AT KIA AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BEING A "COMMON THING" AND I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THANKFULLY IT IS UNDER WARRANTY STILL. I FEEL KIA'S COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR CUSTOMER SAFETY IN THIS MATTER IS APPALLING. LOSS OF POWER LIKE THAT CAN CAUSE A MAJOR CRASH AND POTENTIAL LOSS OF LIFE. IF THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THE VEHICLES AND REPLACE EVERY TRANSMISSION.

• 10/23/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SOY BASED WIRING ATTRACTED RODENTS, WHICH CHEWED THE WIRES AND CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO SHORT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOU FUSZ KIA (1025 N LINDBERGH BLVD, ST LOUISE, MO 63132, (3124) 595-4900) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE FACTORY OR EXTENDED WARRANTIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE DOWNSTREAM OXYGEN AND TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SENSORS, WHICH WAS A ONE TIME REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,200.

• 10/22/2025· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

  I am writing to report a recurring and potentially dangerous issue with my Kia Forte. My vehicle has randomly failed to start on multiple occasions, requiring a jump start. More concerning, it has also shut off while I was driving, which is extremely alarming and could have resulted in a serious accident. These incidents have happened several times, and I no longer feel safe driving the vehicle. I suspect this may be related to an electrical issue, as I am also experiencing:     •    Intermittent failure of the backup camera     •    Headlights, brake lights, fog lights, and daytime running lights failing to operate correctly     •    General electrical irregularities throughout the vehicle I have checked for recalls related to Kia Fortes and found that other vehicles of the same make and model have had similar issues. However, there are no active recalls for my VIN, despite experiencing the same or more severe symptoms described in those recalls. This situation is extremely concerning and I believe it warrants further investigation. I am requesting that NHTSA review this issue and consider whether additional recalls or safety investigations may be necessary for other Kia Forte owners experiencing similar electrical and engine issues. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I would appreciate any guidance on next steps or how to ensure my vehicle is properly inspected for these safety concerns.

• 10/22/2020· POWER TRAIN

  THE IVT TRANS WENT BAD WITH OUT WARRING I WAS DOING 70 MPH ON I 77 IN NC WITH CRUSE ON . THEN THE ENGINE TACKED UP TO 7000 RPM A FUE TIMES THEN I SHIFTED TO SPORT MODE THE RPMS STOPED JUMPING AROUND TILL I GOT TO HICKORY NC . WHEN DRIVING TO DEALER SHIP THE CAR WOULD NOT HARDLY PULL ITS SELF/ NO WARRING LIGHTS OR ANY TYPE OF WARRING OF LOST OF POWER. OTHER THEN HIGH RPM ON THE ENGINE. THE CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP NOW TO GET A NEW TRANS . IT ONLY HAS 17500 MILE ON IT THIS IVT IS TRASH AND DANGEROUS. IT WILL KILL SOME ONE THAT DONT KNOW AUTOS

• 10/20/2023· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the instrument panel, radio, and A/C were inoperable. The contact also stated that the steering wheel had become firm. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was a faulty wiring harness, steering, instrument cluster, and additionally the oil drain plug was leaking. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 1,100.

• 10/19/2021· ENGINE

  The contact leased a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on multiple occasions and was initially informed that repairs were needed to the transmission. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under warranty. Despite the repair, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that sludge was found in the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. Consumer stated transmission problem affected the engine.*JB

• 10/17/2025· ENGINE

  Motor started ticking....then just stopped running...motor blew up..checked the oil and it had metal flaking in it..

• 10/16/2025· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, there was smoke coming from the front driver’s side headlamp, prompting the contact to have her son disconnect the headlamp wiring harness. After a visual inspection, the contact observed that the wiring harness showed signs of burn damage. The headlamp warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V771000 (Exterior Lighting), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 105,000.

• 10/14/2024· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  So I've been going back and forth with Kia for a year now my car completely lost all capability of driving and reversing after taking it to the dealer at Perris kia they claimed it was my wiring harness and that I needed to pay $7,200 because I'm the second owner of the vehicle and it's not covered under their 60,000 mile warranty as I have 70,000 on my vehicle that was after 3 months of them having my car and I was not given a rental during this time and when I didn't have the 7200 fixed they threatened to put a lien on my car if I didn't tow it that day out of there so I went and got it and after further research that's the motor blower connector actually melted and messed up the wiring harness which I found on your website that Kia did acknowledge the fact that it is a defective part and how to fix it now I am trying to get my car fixed and they are not cooperating with me and saying that I'm out of warranty but it's not a warranty issue it's a defective part.

• 10/09/2022· POWER TRAIN

  Hesitates to start. Spudders when in drive “D”. Must drive in “S” sport to stop the spuddering.

• 10/05/2025· ENGINE

  I was driving in Elk River, MN when my car all of a sudden stopped accelerating I then coasted into a street with a dead end to get away from traffic before the car ended up dying though the electronics remained on. I tried restarting the vehicle with no luck. It was clear to me that the engine was no longer working as it wouldn’t turn over. The report from the mechanic is as follows: “Found exhaust cam timing to be extremely off. Removed valve cover and found the camshaft and sprocket pin has sheared, causing the cylinder 2 piston to make contact with the exhaust valves.Failed leak-down test at 90 percent and have a photo of the exhaust valve slightly bent and not seating into the head.” -cornerstone KIA Report.

• 10/05/2025· POWER TRAIN

  My daughter was driving on the highway. She was driving at 65 mph and then the car started to jolt a couple of times. She kept driving and then it started to feel sluggish and lost some power. Would not accelerate over 45 mph. She was almost rear ended several times and people continually swerving in and out around her as she couldn’t maintain the car at a normal pace. It eventually wouldn’t go over 35 mph. Extremely DANGEROUS speed on a highway commute. She was able to finally get off highway. The car stalled. No warning lights ever lit. She was close to home at this point. Drove it home with barely any power. Got it towed to the dealer and transmission was blown and they will not cover it because it’s past warranty of 5 yrs (2nd owner). The car is a 2019 with 53k miles. It should not need a new transmission. Apparently this car is now having many transmission issues. There was a service campaign issued by Kia back in 2018, 2020, and 2022 for this exact problem. Clearly there is an ongoing issue with their transmission. But since it is not a recall, the consumer has no way of know this until after it’s too late. When a transmission just shuts down without any warning, this is a MAJOR safety issue as you no longer are able to properly drive the vehicle. This should be a RECALL. Not an in-house technical bulletin announcement. There’s an abundance of safety concerns associated with this. Let’s not wait for somone to get killed in a car crash because it’s not being corrected by doing a recall on these transmissions that is a continual ongoing issue.

• 10/05/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM KEEPS SAYING IT'S DISABLED DUE TO SOMETHING BEING IN THE WAY OF IT, I'VE CHECKED OVER THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES AND CAN'T FIND ANYTHING IN THE WAY OF ANY OF THE SENSORS.

• 10/02/2019· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2019 KIA FORTE THAT JUST A FEW WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED IT LEFT ME STRANDED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T CRANK. NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS OUT AND I HAD A HORRIFYING EXPERIENCE TRYING TO DRIVE HOME AFTER MY GRANDMA PASSED AWAY. MY FAMILY LIVES 2 1/2 HOURS AWAY. THEN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT VERBALLY ASSAULTED ME WHILE I WAS TRYING TO RECEIVE HELP. I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED GOING OUT. I WAS NEARLY HIT SEVERAL TIMES AS THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN AND NOT SHIFT GEARS.

• 10/02/2019· ENGINE

  WITH LESS THAN 8K MILES ON OUR FORTE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN THE OIL LIGHT WENT ON. WE MOVED TO THE RIGHT LANE AND WITHIN SECONDS ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. WE COASTED OFF THE HIGHWAY TO FIND OIL SPILLING FROM THE CAR. WHEN WE PULLED THE OIL STICK IT WAS BONE DRY AND SMOKING. WE WERE TOWED TO OUR DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THIS IS THE 3RD OR 4TH ENGINE THEY HAVE SEEN WITH THIS ISSUE AND THEY ARE REPLACING OUR ENTIRE ENGINE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME OUR BRAND NEW FORTE HAS DIED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND IT HAS LESS THAN 8,000 MILES ON IT!

• 09/30/2021· TIRES

  I rented a Kia Forte from Avis. I got a flat tire that was not repairable. I called AAA. There was no spare tire. I learned that Kia and many other manufacturers now do not provide a spare tire. This is exceptionally dangerous because you could get trapped in a remote location, in a desert, wilderness or very cold area and die. I propose that NHTSA require all rental cars to have spare tires (The Kia had a space for one), and further that new cars disclose prominently that there is no spare tire.

• 09/30/2019· POWER TRAIN

  BRAND NEW 2019 FORTE WITH LESS THAN 2,000 MILES ON IT. DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND THE ENGINE STARTS TO REV AND JOLT. GET TO THE RIGHT LANE AND IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS. HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP TO FIND I NEEDED A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION.

• 09/27/2023· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

  The Automatic Emergency Braking system activated when I was driving with no one in front of me four times in the span of one month. I am waiting to get my vehicle inspected so they can diagnose and fix the camera issue. There were no warnings or other alerts up until the system began to activate. Twice, I was on a pretty clear highway and braked suddenly and without reason.

• 09/27/2022· POWER TRAIN

  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 my car to the nearest store so I can get it towed ! . The dealership sold me this car probably not knowing it was recalled That’s a safety issue

• 09/22/2024· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

  approximately July 2023, while my car was still under warranty @ 90k miles through KIA, I took it in due to excessive oil burning/leaking, engine "missing". They performed an Oil Consumption Test, which failed the 1st, but "passed" the 2nd phase. I was told to put in Oil Stabilizer in between oil changes. Car continued to burn oil. Warranty has since expired, and car is STILL running shabby. I took it in & another Consumption test was run, with negative results per KIA. I then took it to MY mechanic, who performed an oil dye test to see where the problem is. Results were my engine had "Blow by", and that I would need to replace engine. I then took it BACK to KIA 2 weeks AFTER 2nd consumption test and was told I in fact DO need a new engine, 2 catalytic converters (reason it has been running shabby the past year plus) and a manifold accessory kit. I stated to them that I presented this issue well within the KIA warranty guidelines & informed my vehicle was perfectly fine. But was told that now my vehicle is out of warranty so I am solely responsible for ALL repairs. They stated they requested a Goodwill Exception through KIA but I was denied. I submitted EVERY receipt of repair from other mechanic that was performed since 2020. I simply just want repaired what was failing since my warranty was still in effect. I presented these issues when my car had 90k miles. Vehicle currently has 111,188 miles on it. This has been a devastating, ongoing problem trying to get KIA to do what is well within guidelines of the warranty.

• 09/20/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM DISABLED CAMERA OBSCURED. THIS WARNING COMES AND GOES AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS. NOTHING IS OBSCURING THE CAMERA AND LANE KEEP ASSIST CONTINUES TO FUNCTION NORMALLY.

• 09/19/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  HIT A PARKING SPACE BUMPER WITH FRONT BUMPER, PASSENGER SIDE, LOWER EDGE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, DASH MSGS SAID I HAD STEERING PROBLEMS, ABS, COLLISION AVOIDANCE FAILURE AND TO SEE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. CALLED KIA ROADSIDE SERVICE AND REPORTED DASH MSGS AND THEY SAID NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE AND TOWED IT IN TO SALT LAKE CITY DEALER. DEALER REFUSED WARRANTY SVC BECAUSE OF BUMPER DAMAGE AND ADVISED WIRING HARNESS OUT, $4200 REPAIR OR $468. PATCH REPAIR. IS THIS VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE WITH WIRING HARNESS ABLE TO BE KNOCKED OUT FROM HITTING A PARKING SPACE BUMPER WITH SLIGHT LOWER EDGE DAMAGE, THAT COULD ALSO BE CAUSED BY ROCK BOUNCING UP FROM HIGHWAY OR ANY OTHER ROAD MATERIAL THAT IS ENCOUNTERED EVERY DAY. MILEAGE WAS 11496 AT TIME OF TOWING IN TO JERRY SEINER, KIA DEALER CASE 13347285

• 09/18/2021· POWER TRAIN

  I got this car from the dealer at auction , so I am the second owner , power train warranty voided for 2nd owner , at my 90k miles , my transmission shaft has been broken due problem with the same year 2019 recall , dealer refused to fix it because I am out of warranty . I bought another transmission and still have the same problem , the car is unuseable at all .

• 09/18/2020· STEERING

  HAVE ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR 1 YEAR AND I HAVE TO HAVE A NEW STEERING SHAFT PUT IN. I WAS HEARING A GRINDING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. HAD IT CHECKED AND THAT IS WHAT THEY FOUND. THANK GOD IT WAS COVERED UNDER OUR WARRANTEE.

• 09/16/2025· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Severe, early onset clear coat paint damage.

• 09/16/2024· STRUCTURE

  Rapid Delamination and paint peeling of front bumper. There are so many Kia Forte owners experiencing this same issue for it not to be recognized and resolved by now. Please help us. It’s not right.

• 09/14/2020· STEERING

  ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO MY STEERING WHEEL STARTING MAKE A GRINDING NOISE I TOOK IT TO MY KIA DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING. AFTER THAT WAS REPLACE MY STEERING WHEEL IS STILL MAKING THE NOISE.

• 09/07/2023· POWER TRAIN

  The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had previously received an unknown recall notification regarding the transmission. The transmission was not replaced; however, the transmission control module software was updated in January 2021. The contact stated that the failure had recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,959.

• 09/07/2019· POWER TRAIN

  ON 9/6/19, ON MY WAY BACK FROM A TRIP TO DALLAS, MY 2019 KIA FORTE (LAUNCH EDITION) STARTED TO RANDOMLY REV UP ON THE HIGHWAY. AT FIRST, I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT, BUT THEN IT STARTED TO LOSE ACCELERATION. I TRIED TO USE THE MANUAL SHIFTING, BUT NO HELP. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF IN HOPES OF "RESETTING" IT AND IT SEEMED TO WORK, BUT WHEN I PULLED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY AGAIN IT SUDDENLY STARTED TO REV TO 6-7 K AND WENT NOWHERE. ULTIMATELY, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP 5 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME. KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS WAS NOT VERY MUCH HELP! MY FORTE IS ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD WITH 3,100 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE. BE CAREFUL WITH THIS CAR!

• 09/03/2020· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RPMS WOULD REV UP TO APPROXIMATELY 4,000 RPMS OR MORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WOULD INTENTIONALLY SLOW THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE RPMS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLE AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD UNINTENTIONALLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED HOWEVER, THE TIRES CONTINUED TO SPIN WITHOUT MOVING THE VEHICLE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GENE MESSER KIA (6006 19TH ST, LUBBOCK, TX 79407, (806) 776-5600) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT RECEIVED A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

• 09/01/2023· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

  I have been having issues with my daytime running lights and brake lights going out and then coming back on randomly for almost 2 years . I have lost count of how many bulbs have been replaced. In May 2023, Deland Kia replaced the harness for the rear passenger brake light as they said it was melted, and 3 months later it is happening again. My radio changes stations by itself, my driver window would roll down by itself (window was fixed and hasn't given me any problems since). My forward collision light comes on at random and my car has slammed its brakes when I was nowhere near another car or anything obstructing. My steering wheel will jerk to the right on its own. These cars are death traps.

• 08/28/2025· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Oil plug came out while driving causing an engine failure. We have seen several report already made for this issue.

• 08/23/2025· ENGINE

  On [XXX] my son was driving on the highway when the car suddenly shut off.. thank god he was able to safely get to the side of the road. Had it towed to my local mechanic who stated that the engine is seized up. The car is only 6 yrs old and well maintained. There were no prior problems or signs. Need a new engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 08/22/2023· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the front driver's side and passenger's side high beam lights, low beam lights, and indicators had failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the light bulbs were replaced; however, the failure recurred several times within 3 months. The contact stated that the passenger's side low beam headlight, indicator, and the headlight were not working as needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be charged a fee for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

• 08/11/2025· ENGINE

  Oil pump on vehicle failed, result was severe internal damage to motor, entire engine needed replaced at 120,600 miles.