2019 Kia Forte Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 31 Electrical System complaints for the 2019 Kia Forte, 21% of all 147 complaints filed for the year, with 5 crashes and 2 fires reported. A related recall (18V771000) covers LED headlight aiming, and median mileage at failure was 16,500.
- Electrical System complaints
- 31
- 21% of 147
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 16,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Dashboard warning messages appear together for steering, ABS, and collision avoidance after minor impacts, sometimes leading to a tow-in and a dealer warranty denial.
- Owners describe rodents chewing soy-based wiring insulation, causing electrical components to short out and lose function.
- Some vehicles experience hard or long cranking that requires cycling the ignition key multiple times, with no diagnostic codes found.
- Instrument cluster and radio displays go blank and the engine stalls while the vehicle is being driven.
- Anti-theft weaknesses allow the ignition to be disassembled and started without a key, with some vehicles stolen or broken into more than once.
- A false "Check Brake Lights" message appears on the dash even though the brake lights work normally when inspected.
When 2019 Kia Forte electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 19, 2019, latest Jul 13, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2019 Kia Forte
- NHTSA 18V771000Oct 31, 2018Electrical System1,754 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
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."
Risk: 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.
Electrical System complaints by Forte model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are electrical problems in the 2019 Kia Forte?
- NHTSA has logged 31 Electrical System complaints for the 2019 Forte, making up 21% of the 147 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2019 Kia Forte's electrical system?
- Yes. Recall 18V771000 covers LED headlight units that were built with incorrect low-beam aiming; dealers inspect and replace headlights as needed.
- At what mileage do electrical failures typically occur?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 16,500 miles for Electrical System complaints on this model year.
- Have electrical issues caused crashes or fires in the 2019 Forte?
- NHTSA records 5 crashes and 2 fires among the complaints tied to the Electrical System on the 2019 Kia Forte, with 2 injuries reported.
- What kinds of electrical failures do owners report most?
- Owners describe wiring damaged by rodents, warning-light cascades after minor impacts, blank instrument clusters with stalling, and vulnerability to ignition theft.