YearToAvoid

2019 Kia Forte Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 45 engine complaints for the 2019 Kia Forte, 31% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median mileage at failure of 24,000. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
45
31% of 147
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
24,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Oil pan detaching and leaking, in one case igniting a fire while driving on the highway.
  • Sudden engine seizure or shutdown at speed with no warning, in some cases after a full engine replacement.
  • Oil light and warning lights activating together at highway speed, with oil found completely dry afterward.
  • RPMs surging to around 4,000 or higher during acceleration or while idling, sometimes with unintended forward movement at a stop.
  • Hesitation or failure to engage gear when merging or climbing hills, with engine revving but no acceleration.
  • Repeated stalling while driving, in some cases linked to transmission repairs or a refurbished transmission installed under warranty.

When 2019 Kia Forte engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 12, 2019, latest Aug 26, 2026.

2019 Kia Forte engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2019Sep 2020Mar 2022Oct 2023Aug 2024Nov 2025May 2026
45 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2019 to Aug 2026; peak Oct 2025 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2019 Kia Forte

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Forte model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201085 (39%)
  2. 201157 (37%)
  3. 2012170 (58%)
  4. 2013111 (57%)
  5. 2014226 (51%)
  6. 2015163 (63%)
  7. 201677 (57%)
  8. 2017163 (54%)
  9. 201869 (51%)
  10. 201945 (31%)
  11. 202025 (33%)
  12. 202123 (34%)
  13. 20227 (26%)
  14. 202311 (18%)
  15. 20247 (28%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2019 Kia Forte have?
NHTSA lists 45 engine complaints for the 2019 Kia Forte, which is 31% of the 147 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2019 Kia Forte engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the 2019 Kia Forte engine complaints.
At what mileage do 2019 Kia Forte engine problems typically occur?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 24,000 miles.
Were there any fires or crashes linked to 2019 Kia Forte engine complaints?
NHTSA records show 2 fires and 2 crashes among the engine complaints for the 2019 Kia Forte, with no reported injuries.
Is the 2019 Kia Forte's engine complaint rate high compared to other years?
At 31% of total complaints, the 2019 Forte's engine complaint share is lower than most other model years, which range from 18% to 63%.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.