Kia Forte 2019–2024 problems by year and mileage
3rd generation (BD)
NHTSA data through 18 October 2026415 complaints, 114 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2019 Kia Forte
Close- Median failure report
- 10,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 149
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2019
- Transmission and driveline48 reports
- Engine37 reports
- Electrical system23 reports
Recall areas Power train — axle assembly · Exterior lighting — headlights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2020 Kia Forte
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 78
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2020
- Problems owners could not categorise26 reports
- Engine20 reports
- Transmission and driveline16 reports
The 2021 Kia Forte
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 69
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2021
- Engine22 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise18 reports
- Steering9 reports
Recall areas Steering — column · Air bags — sensor
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2022 Kia Forte
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 28
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2022
- Problems owners could not categorise9 reports
- Engine4 reports
- Forward collision avoidance4 reports
Recall areas Steering — column
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2023 Kia Forte
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 65
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2023
- Steering15 reports
- Electrical system11 reports
- Forward collision avoidance10 reports
Recall areas Suspension — front · Steering — linkages
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2024 Kia Forte
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 26
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2024
- Problems owners could not categorise9 reports
- Engine8 reports
- Airbag system7 reports
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). 5 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2019–2024 Kia Forte reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 11,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 101,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 114
- Recalls
- 7
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Engine24.1% of complaints · median 39,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise22.2% of complaints · median 7,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline20.5% of complaints · median 9,500 mi
Owners filed 415 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019–2024 Kia Forte; the engine leads with 24.1% of them, and half of the 114 that record an odometer reading came by 11,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
51% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 0.6 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. On a generation this new that is expected: few examples have been driven further yet, so the timing says little about design or wear so far.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2019–2024 Kia Forte last?
The newest model years (2024) are too young to have reached high mileage; most reports with an odometer reading come from the earlier years of the generation.
On the 2019–2024 Kia Forte, half of the 114 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 11,000 miles and 90% by 101,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
2 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 1 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Forte reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Kia Forte 2019–2024 · 114 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
20,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 66 complaints
- First 12,000 miles — 51% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 1 complaints (0.9%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 608
- 25%
- 3,000
- Median
- 11,000
- 75%
- 42,000
- 90%
- 101,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 66 | 57.9% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 17 | 14.9% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 8 | 7.0% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 8 | 7.0% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 3 | 2.6% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 8 | 7.0% |
| 120,000–140,000 | 2 | 1.8% |
| 140,000–160,000 | 1 | 0.9% |
| 200,000+ | 1 | 0.9% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Forte problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Kia Forte 2019–2024
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Problems owners could not categorise92 reportsmedian 7,000middle half 600–16,000
- Electrical system62 reportsmedian 9,000middle half 2,000–50,000
- Transmission and driveline85 reportsmedian 9,500middle half 3,000–26,000
- Steering41 reportsmedian 10,000middle half 3,000–14,000
- Engine100 reportsmedian 39,000middle half 13,000–73,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 100 | 24.1% | 39,000 | 13,000–73,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 92 | 22.2% | 7,000 | 600–16,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 85 | 20.5% | 9,500 | 3,000–26,000 |
| Electrical system | 62 | 14.9% | 9,000 | 2,000–50,000 |
| Steering | 41 | 9.9% | 10,000 | 3,000–14,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 40 | 9.6% | — | — |
| Airbag system | 32 | 7.7% | — | — |
| Exterior lighting | 23 | 5.5% | — | — |
| Lane departure | 19 | 4.6% | — | — |
| Suspension | 15 | 3.6% | — | — |
Known problems with the 2019–2024 Forte
Anti-theft/Security 2019–2021
Keyed-ignition trims through MY2021 lack an engine immobilizer and are within the Kia theft-vulnerability population; immobilizers became standard equipment from MY2022, so 2022-2024 Fortes are not affected.
Transmission 2019–2020
IVT (Kia's continuously variable transmission, introduced on this generation) draws hesitation, shudder and delayed-engagement complaints, concentrated in the early years before calibration revisions.
Before you buy a 2019–2024 Forte: the 3-minute check
Generated from 114 mileage-tagged complaints, 7 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation. Run the VIN before you drive it home — the fix is free at an authorized dealer.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 campaigns cover this generation.
- Ask for problems owners could not categorise repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 7,000 miles — a newer example may not have reached that mileage yet, so ask what was repaired under warranty and what the warranty still covers.
- Ask for transmission and driveline repair records. Same question here: a median of 9,500 miles.
- Check Anti-theft/Security on 2019–2021 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check transmission on 2019–2020 cars.
- Years differ here: from 26 to 149 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Forte problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi80% below | At 90k mi89% below | At 120k mi96% below | At 150k mi98% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13,000–73,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 600–16,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 3,000–26,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 2,000–50,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 3,000–14,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Kia Forte 2019–2024 · 114 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 80% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 96% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2019–2024 Kia Forte recalls (7)
NHTSA records 7 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
2 of these carry a severe advisory — do not drive or park outside; check those first by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the suspension (2), the steering (2), the airbag system (1) (why one area can repeat).
Apr 2024 · 2023 · Suspension do not driveFront lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
What can happen. Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed…
Sep 2023 · 2023 · Suspension do not driveFront lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
What can happen. Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed…
Dec 2022 · 2023 · SteeringA loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front left steering knuckle may crack, which can result in a loss of steering control.
What can happen. A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the front left steering knuckle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2023. Owner may contact Kia customer service at…
May 2022 · 2021–2022 · SteeringLoss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
What can happen. Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.…
Mar 2021 · 2021 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase…
The defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles…
What can happen. In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
The free fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this…
Aug 2020 · 2019 · Power TrainA broken driveshaft can result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A broken driveshaft can result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Oct 2018 · 2019 · Exterior LightingIf the headlights are not properly aimed, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If the headlights are not properly aimed, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 415 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 51 (12.3%)
- Fires
- 12
- Injury reports
- 25
- Fatality reports
- 1
Forte problems by model year
The 2019 drew the most complaints of this generation, 149, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 2024 the fewest, 26. A typical year drew about 67.
That makes the 2019 stand out at roughly 2.2 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 149 | 69 | 10,000† | Transmission and driveline (48) | 2 |
| 2020 | 78 | 21 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (26) | 0 |
| 2021 | 69 | 8 | under 30 reports | Engine (22) | 2 |
| 2022 | 28 | 5 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (9) | 1 |
| 2023 | 65 | 8 | under 30 reports | Steering (15) | 3 |
| 2024 | 26 | 3 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (9) | 0 |
What Forte owners reported
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at 70-75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and the check engine warning light illuminated, causing the contact and her daughter to be stranded on the highway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the spark plugs and…
2019 · 106,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loose and was difficult to turn. Due to the failure, the vehicle unexpectedly swayed from left to right. The contact stated that the vehicle felt…
2023 · 600 miles · Steering
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became inoperable, with an abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound while attempting to make a turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the failure was…
2022 · 77,000 miles · Steering
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while a friend was driving 65 MPH, the vehicle was pulling to the right. Suddenly, the vehicle bounced up and down, pulled over and crashed into a railing, and the driver was forced to stop the vehicle using the parking brake. The driver was unable to maintain…
2024 · 65,000 miles · Suspension
Built from 114 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Forte generations
- Forte 2010–2013 593 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Forte 2014–2018 661 reports with mileage, most about the engine