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2019 Kia Forte recalls

2 recalls are on record with NHTSA for the 2019 Kia Forte.

2019 Kia Forte recall lookup visual: Vehicle on a dark service lift with a VinSleuth recall case card for campaigns, free repair, and risk flags

Methodology: recall and complaint counts are pulled from NHTSA public data by make, model, and model year during the site build. This page is not a VIN-specific open-recall status.

Sources and review: source: NHTSA recalls and complaints datasets. Last reviewed June 2026; author: VinSleuth editorial desk; reviewer: Vehicle public-records review.

2 Open recalls
145 Complaints
0 Fire reports
0 Crash reports

Recall details

Recall EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS #18V771000 Reported 31/10/2018

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 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.

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 service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC171.

Recall POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT #20V459000 Reported 05/08/2020

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.

Risk

A broken driveshaft can result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 September 2, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC195.

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Other Kia Forte model years

Recalls differ by model year — check the years near yours.

What owners complain about

Top components in 145 NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Kia Forte.

POWER TRAIN 46
ENGINE 20
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 8
STEERING 8
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4

Frequently asked

How many recalls does the 2019 Kia Forte have?

2 recalls are on record with NHTSA for the 2019 Kia Forte. Recall repairs are always free at a franchise dealer.

Do I have to pay to fix a Kia recall?

No. Federal law requires manufacturers to repair safety recalls for free at any authorized dealer, regardless of who owns the vehicle or its warranty status.

Is this recall list specific to my VIN?

This page lists recalls reported to NHTSA for every 2019 Kia Forte. To confirm whether a recall is still open for one specific VIN, enter it in our decoder or check with Kia. NHTSA has no public by-VIN recall feed, so we look up the make, model, and year.

2019 Kia Forte crash ratings All recalls