What 146 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Forte Koup

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.

NHTSA ODI 11550969

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.

NHTSA ODI 11546925

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.

NHTSA ODI 11543124

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.

NHTSA ODI 11542050

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.

NHTSA ODI 11540114

Alternator overheated and caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI 11530214

I have always gotten my oil changed on time and even had it changed a few days before my engine failed. I was driving down the road going home from work when my car started making a ticking sound that soon turned into a hard knocking sound coming from the engine. My car then shut off in the middle of traffic while at a red light. I tried to start it back up but nothing was happening. My check engine light never came on to give me any type of warning that the engine was in bad shape. Took it to the Kia dealership where it took over a month and a half to get someone to look at my car and give me an answer as to what was wrong with it. Kia knows that the engines in these cars are not built to last and that they could have failed before reaching 100,000 miles. I was also hung up on by someone from the Kia consumer hotline. I feel Kia should be responsive and held accountable as far as paying for the repairs and me not coming out of pocket. I will not be dealing with Kia ever again.

NHTSA ODI 11525664

I was driving down expressway and my car started to make rattling noise and Clanking noise from the engine and then my car wouldn’t start it kept stuttering. My 2019 Kia forte was stalling it was not accelerating past 3k rpm’s and then the engine would completely shut off. Now my car has been out of commission for a few weeks

NHTSA ODI 11514417

My car was stolen from a busy street in front of an elementary school while I was in a restaurant eating dinner 100 ft away. The thief was able to break the window and apparently use an iPhone cable and disassemble the ignition to start the car and drive away. It was recovered later that night several miles away. The suspect will likely not be found. I have serious concerns about the ease with which they gained access to the car and their confidence they could do get away with it. The driver was also reckless causing damage to the side. I have not been contacted by Kia that there is anything wrong the car. I think this poses a risk to car owners and other people who use roads because of how easy it is to gain access, and how w recklessly they can be driven. I have strong concerns about the safety mechanism for preventing the car from being started without the key, that has lagged behind other similar cars and made this Kia Forte an easy target for theft. My only confirmation that my specific year could be a target for theft came last night when it was stolen- the company has said nothing to me.

NHTSA ODI 11512611

Newer Kia models have such poorly designed security features and body that they have been targets for car thefts. In one year of having this car it has been broken into on two separate occasions and hot wired. Viral social media videos display how to steal Kia’s with ease. From breaking windows, picking locks, and taking the ignition out. Several insurance companies have now dropped Kia owners or raised their fees because of their easy accessibility and high chance of theft. Kia seems to have acknowledged this but I have yet to see a recall, warning, or any action taking for their faulty designs.

NHTSA ODI 11507775

It has been a reoccurring problem where the car will suddenly shut off in the middle of driving. I have already taken it to Kia 4 times and the problem has not been fixed. There is a creaking noise and when I specifically turn left, it will trigger the oil light and it will flash. Recently, it has not been starting. It has definitely put my life and other at risk but I have no choice but to drive it because of work and school.

NHTSA ODI 11503107

My KIA Forte engine suddenly seized at 112,548 miles. This was verified by a personal mechanic as well at a KIA dealership service department. There were no notifications or warning lamps alerting of any potential problems with this engine or any other car part at all. This car was bought brand new and serviced oil changes were made on time only using full synthetic oil. Luckily for me this happen while I was on my driveway and not on the road.

NHTSA ODI 11502743

Air bags did not deploy during car accident. I sustained severe injuries to the face. Puncture wound to jaw, forehead laceration to skull, spinal cord damage, and fractured ribs. Unknown if problem has been reproduced or confirmed by dealership. Car was totaled not sure if it’s available for inspection. Vehicle is being investigated by insurance and police did complete a report. Check forward avoidance assist system.

NHTSA ODI 11502550

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

NHTSA ODI 11495254

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

NHTSA ODI 11488518

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

NHTSA ODI 11486658

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 stated after her mother had parked the vehicle, her father inspected the brake lights for a second time and noticed that the brake lights had failed and the brake light bulbs had melted. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,100.

NHTSA ODI 11475167

car was stolen 04/18/2022 took thief's less then 2 minutes to take vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11466815

The transmission failed while on the interstate/freeway while trying to merge into traffic. The vehicle lost power and would not accelerate even though the engine was revving up in RPMs. The vehicle is available. The transmission was replaced with a "Refurbished Transmission" through Warranty by KIA. Two days later the car began jerking and the check engine light came on. The vehicle was returned to the Dealership. The car was then returned to me, the owner, only to have the Check Engine light come back on, so the car was returned a third time for "Transmission" related issues. The vehicle in question has been at the dealership for over two months as the Dealership tells me that they are going "back and forth with KIA Techline" to figure out the issue. The initial Transmission failure was confirmed by the KIA Technicians and reproduced prior to the "Refurbished" transmission being put in. The vehicle and component have been inspected by the KIA Technicians who say they cannot solve the issue and are currently working with KIA Techline to solve the issue. The only prior symptoms were briefs moments of hesitation in acceleration from the vehicle when on the interstate/freeway. This series of events began at the beginning of December 2021 and the vehicle is still in the shop as of April 3, 2022.

NHTSA ODI 11459467

The transmission has had multiple catastrophic transmissions failures while driving. The transmission does not engage and the car cannot accelerate, which has created severe safety issues, especially on the freeway. We were almost hit by two semi-trucks this last time because the transmission would not engage and would only rev high while traveling on the turnpike in an 80 MPH zone and the car decelerated quickly due to lack of engagement and the RPM gauge just would redline with no movement to the wheels. This has happened several time before but this was the one that scared us the most...each event was scary. The first transmission failure happened at around 20K miles and if the transmission is replaced this time it would be the third replacement transmission within only 10K miles since the care only has 30K miles on it. I have talked with the dealership and Kia Consumer assistance multiple time with no resolutions. They are obviously aware of the issues with this transmission and just keep making promises that never happen and just keep us in a consistent state of a "runaround."

NHTSA ODI 11457847

The collision light comes on and a drop down on the dash says the collision is not working. Upon occasion the breaks with go off randomly. When the breaks all of a sudden slam it makes a horrible noise that scares me and I automatically want to slam on my breaks when that happens. I have a fear of someone rear ending me. I don't know if the break lights come on when that happens. Smith Kia in Bellingham WA. has looked at the car numerous times. They could never duplicate the problem so nothing ever got fixed for a long time. Then one day it was reproduced by them and they said they got a reading on it and fixed the problem. But it didn't fix the problem it still is doing it. They kept my car again a few times but this time cannot duplicate it so they gave me my car back. I even sent them lots of pictures every time it happened with the mileage in the picture. The manufacturer has never looked at my car. No insurance, police or other has looked at my car. The warning lights would just come on randomly at any given time. The same with my breaks randomly going off. There was a drop down stating a lot of words but I could never read it because it popped back up so fast but when the breaks went off there was no dash lights saying anything only the drop down. There was never any warning ahead of time. It just happened with both occasions, NO WARNINGS!!

NHTSA ODI 11454447

Driving along the highway and transmission failure occurred, causing engine RPM to jump sky high and rapid deceleration without warning or brake lights. Luckily we were not hit by any other cars and were able to pull get off the highway onto the service road. Check engine light came on and the car wouldn't move. Turned the car off and back on after a few minutes and the transmission wouldn't move forward without massive RPM and no faster than 12mph or so. This is the SECOND time this has happened. I didn't report the first time because figured it was a one-off occurrence. The first time we had 26,000 miles on the car, this time, the new transmission went out after only 8,000 miles. All services have been performed by the Kia dealer directly. Car is back at Kia dealer for the transmission replacement again. No confidence in keeping the car given they replaced it with the same transmission that had problems twice!

NHTSA ODI 11453371

#1 I ASSUME THE FUEL SYSTEM OR ELECTRIC SYSTEM ARE WHAT FAILED #2THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING,WHEN TRYING TO RESTART{IF IT RESTARTS} NO POWER & SHUTS OFF AGAIN #3 I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER& KIA MAIN BRANCH IN CALIFORNIA 3 TIMES BY PHONE & EMAIL BUT HAVE HEARD NOTHING, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A RECALL BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID HAVE IT TOWED HERE & IT WILL COST 100$ TO SEE IF ITS BEEN RECALLED{ MY ANSWER WAS YOU COULD TELL ME BY THE V I N # I CANT AFFORED A TOW THE 100$ TO TELL ME IF THERE IS A RECALL{THERE ANSWER WAS THATS NOT MY PROBLEM}#4 THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS KEPT BLOWING OUT{I REPLACED THEM2X OUT OF POCKET#5 THE ONLY WARNING I HAD WAS LOSS OF POWER BEFORE DYING.

NHTSA ODI 11449114

I Bought a white 2019 KIA forte almost brand new around July of 2019 my bumpers paint began peeling in a tiny spot I thought was a chip from a rock but rapidly began peeling all over. February of 2020 was when I thought it started getting pretty bad chips and chunks were missing all over the bumper and it wasn’t even a year yet maybe 10,000 miles by then. I took it to Kia they said I had to take it to Buick GMC dealership l where I bought it yet they told me I had to take it to KIA it was a lot of back and forth and I was busy with school and work it just wasn’t a priority at the time. It is now Jan 2022 a little over 45,000 miles it is still under bumper to bumper warranty. I took it into KIA on Jan 18 2022 for other recalls and sensor problems but when bringing up the paint problem nothing they said nothing can be done and it was not covered. The paint has looked as it has been delaminating and paint chipping has drastically spread. Please look at the photos attached for reference. After looking into it I have found out it is a common problem with white paint and would appreciate it if I hear back so KIA can fix this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11448995

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.

NHTSA ODI 11444762