Are there open safety recalls?
2 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2019 Kia Forte has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 146 owner complaints, and gets about 35 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2019 Kia Forte
- Engine 4-cyl 2L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Midsize Cars
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
5 injuries reported
5 of 146 reports (~3%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
4 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2019.
- 20173recalls
- 20183recalls
- 2019 · this car2recalls
- 20200recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 2, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 4 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 4 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
Tested as: 2019 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD
Open safety recalls
2 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
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Exterior Lighting
31/10/2018
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."
How they fix it: 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.
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Power Train
05/08/2020
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.
How they fix it: 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 2, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2019.
- 2017300reports
- 2018134reports
- 2019 · this car146reports
- 202071reports
146 owner reports on file
11 crash mentions 4 fire mentions 5 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 146 total reports.
- POWER TRAIN 46 of 146
The transmission had a recall 2 years ago and they gave me a new one (KIA). I am having issues with my transmission again
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20 of 146
Power loss, engine failure. Will not start
- ENGINE 20 of 146
My car has cut off on me going down the road and it cut back on I have had where the car is slow at acceleration and trying to stall out on me and causing a car to almost hit me in the bumper cause of it the car only has 112,580 miles and h
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14 of 146
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
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING 8 of 146
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact was notified by her son that the third brake light was burned and was melting. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and suggested that a diagnostic test be p
- STEERING 8 of 146
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
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 2, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2019.
- 201728mpg
- 201832mpg
- 2019 · this car35mpg
- 202030mpg
$1,750
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 31 mpg
Highway driving 41 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 35 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to save about $2,250 on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 96 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 15 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 2, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (variable gear ratios)
- Body
- Midsize Cars
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 2, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the exterior lighting). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the power train
Owners report problems with the power train more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2019 Kia Forte listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2019 Kia Forte? +
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2019 Kia Forte, including the exterior lighting. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Kia Forte get? +
The EPA rates the 2019 Kia Forte at 35 mpg combined (31 city / 41 highway), about $1,750 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2019 Kia Forte? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2019 Kia Forte 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2019 Kia Forte? +
Owners have filed 146 complaints with NHTSA for the 2019 Kia Forte, including 11 involving a crash. The most-reported area is power train.
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