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2019 Kia Forte Electrical Problems

18 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

18
Complaints
3
Crashes
2
Fires
Jan 2023Nov 2024
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (18)

criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2025

Your 2019 Kia Forte has failed to start multiple times and has shut off while driving—both serious safety concerns. You're also experiencing intermittent backup camera failures and problems with headlights, brake lights, fog lights, and daytime running lights not working correctly. These symptoms suggest an underlying electrical system problem that needs professional diagnosis and repair, which may involve testing the battery, alternator, starter motor, and electrical wiring.

NHTSA #: 11695031
criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CrashFiled: Feb 2025

During a car accident, your airbags failed to deploy, resulting in injuries to your chest, elbows, and knees that you believe would have been prevented if they had worked properly. Your car was totaled in the crash, and you were hospitalized for evaluation. Although Kia issued a recall for airbag non-deployment in many vehicles due to electrical wiring issues, your 2019 Forte was not included despite experiencing the same problem. The fix would likely involve inspection and repair or replacement of the airbag system's electrical wiring and sensors.

NHTSA #: 11643557
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2025

While driving at night, you noticed smoke coming from your front driver's side headlight. When you inspected it, you found the wiring harness had burn damage, and your headlamp warning light came on. This issue may be related to a known manufacturer recall (Campaign 18V771000) involving exterior lighting problems. The wiring harness and headlight assembly will likely need to be replaced or repaired.

NHTSA #: 11693930
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Feb 2025

I’m having the exact same issues as the current recall on 2019 Kia fortes. Which is why I’m not sure why my car isn’t on the recall list. I have gone to the dealership for these exact issues with my car. Headlights not incorrectly going out as soon as they are replaced. going to the dealership several times because of my left tire not knowing what the actual reason is. Looks like it could be the front left. Axle. Also, my CarPlay has been acting up, randomly going out and also displaying the wrong speed in the GPS also glitching while driving not displaying the correct image.

NHTSA #: 11641881
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Nov 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear brake lights failed to illuminate while depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the A/C was blowing hot air. Additionally, the front and rear passenger’s side windows were rolling down independently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously in a crash, and the frame was overheating. The contact confirmed that the vehicle did not have a Salvage Title. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,900.

NHTSA #: 11627947
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Oct 2024

So I've been going back and forth with Kia for a year now my car completely lost all capability of driving and reversing after taking it to the dealer at Perris kia they claimed it was my wiring harness and that I needed to pay $7,200 because I'm the second owner of the vehicle and it's not covered under their 60,000 mile warranty as I have 70,000 on my vehicle that was after 3 months of them having my car and I was not given a rental during this time and when I didn't have the 7200 fixed they threatened to put a lien on my car if I didn't tow it that day out of there so I went and got it and after further research that's the motor blower connector actually melted and messed up the wiring harness which I found on your website that Kia did acknowledge the fact that it is a defective part and how to fix it now I am trying to get my car fixed and they are not cooperating with me and saying that I'm out of warranty but it's not a warranty issue it's a defective part.

NHTSA #: 11619681
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Feb 2024

I bought this car in July of 2021 and ever since then the car has been burning oil like crazy. I’m talking 1500-2000 miles I am going through 2-3 quarts of oil. As this is a new car this should not be an issue. When my timing went out at 79,000 I mentioned this to the dealership about the tremendous amount of oil it was consuming they blew it off and acted as if it was normal. Also the forward collision warning camera obstructed has been a constant issue especially in the fact that when it happens and I’m going over 40 mph and it’s almost made me crash 2 times because it did it during icy conditions. The light also comes on during the summer on a hot sunny day.

NHTSA #: 11574106
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Sep 2023

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 #: 11542050
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Jul 2023

Alternator overheated and caught on fire.

NHTSA #: 11530214
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CrashFiled: Mar 2023

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 #: 11512611
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2023

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 #: 11507775
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Jan 2023

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 #: 11503107
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jul 2022

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 #: 11475167
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: Apr 2021

I HAVE LOST POWER PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, CAR HAS LOST ALL FUNCTION WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, 1 TIME WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT THE CAR LOCKED THE WHEELS AND SLAMMED IT ONTO A CURB. EVERY TIME THE SCREEN DISPLAY IN THE CAR GLITCHES. I HAVE BEEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKING APPLIED FOR NO REASON. HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR SHUT OFF (AT NIGHT) KIA HAS HAD THIS CAR MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. I FILED A REPORT WITH KIA CAUSE I WANT MY MONEY BACK AND THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE SOLD TO AN INDIVIDUAL UNTIL THEY FIGURE IT OUT AND FIX IT. LAST WEEK THE MIRRORS QUIT WORKING AS WELL BUT THEY SAID IT NEEDED A MASTER SWITCH. ALREADY HAD SOME KIND OF COMPUTER RECALL AND TOOK IT IN TO BE REPLACED. CAR STILL SCARES ME TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM KIA AND WAS TOLD IT DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE LEMON LAW AS THEY SEEM TO HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT MUCH LESS GET IT TO DUPLICATE FOR A DIAGNOSIS. BUT THE STALLING, GLITCHING AND LOOSING POWER IS ALMOST ALWAYS AT TAKE OFF. ONE TIME I JUST KNEW I WAS GOING TO END UP IN THE HOSPITAL OR MORGUE AS IT WAS A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY AT RUSH HOUR. 3 TIMES WAS ON TAKE OFF AND WHEN I WAS MAKING A TURN. SOMETIMES THE SCREEN/RADIO WON'T EVEN WORK OR CONNECT TO ANY DEVICES EITHER. KIA TOLD ME TO RECORD IT HAPPENING, THEY MUST BE CRAZY IT HAPPENS SO FAST ALL I CAN CONCENTRATE ON NOT GETTING INJURED OR KILLED OR INJURING OR KILLING ANYONE ALSO WHEN WE FIRST TOOK THE CAR HOME I NOTICED A BANGING UNDER THE CAR LIKE SOMETHING HITTING UNDER THE FLOOR BOARD TOOK IT TO KIA A FEW TIMES FOR THAT AS WELL AND SINCE THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT THEY SAID I PROBABLY HAVE A SOMETHING UNDER THE SEATS DOING IT. BUT I TOLD THEM THAT MADE NO SENSE CAUSE COULD FEEL IT UNDER MY FEET WHILE DRIVING IT.

NHTSA #: 11407211
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2021

PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT,WORKS FOR A THEN GOES OUT

NHTSA #: 11394815
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE
Filed: Feb 2020

PROBLEM 1, LONG CRANK HARD START. HAVE TO CYCLE THE IGNITION KEY SEVERAL TIMES TO GET ENGINE STARTED. NO PCM CODES. HAD TO KIA DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. CANNOT DUPLICATE ISSUE. PROBLEM 2, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES BLANK, RADIO GOES BLANK AND ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA #: 11306811
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SOY BASED WIRING ATTRACTED RODENTS, WHICH CHEWED THE WIRES AND CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO SHORT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOU FUSZ KIA (1025 N LINDBERGH BLVD, ST LOUISE, MO 63132, (3124) 595-4900) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE FACTORY OR EXTENDED WARRANTIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE DOWNSTREAM OXYGEN AND TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SENSORS, WHICH WAS A ONE TIME REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,200.

NHTSA #: 11270461
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2019

HIT A PARKING SPACE BUMPER WITH FRONT BUMPER, PASSENGER SIDE, LOWER EDGE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, DASH MSGS SAID I HAD STEERING PROBLEMS, ABS, COLLISION AVOIDANCE FAILURE AND TO SEE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. CALLED KIA ROADSIDE SERVICE AND REPORTED DASH MSGS AND THEY SAID NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE AND TOWED IT IN TO SALT LAKE CITY DEALER. DEALER REFUSED WARRANTY SVC BECAUSE OF BUMPER DAMAGE AND ADVISED WIRING HARNESS OUT, $4200 REPAIR OR $468. PATCH REPAIR. IS THIS VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE WITH WIRING HARNESS ABLE TO BE KNOCKED OUT FROM HITTING A PARKING SPACE BUMPER WITH SLIGHT LOWER EDGE DAMAGE, THAT COULD ALSO BE CAUSED BY ROCK BOUNCING UP FROM HIGHWAY OR ANY OTHER ROAD MATERIAL THAT IS ENCOUNTERED EVERY DAY. MILEAGE WAS 11496 AT TIME OF TOWING IN TO JERRY SEINER, KIA DEALER CASE 13347285

NHTSA #: 11256739

Other 2019 Kia Forte Issues