FaultScore

2019 KIA Forte driver assist problems

29 of the 216 complaints about the 2019 KIA Forte are about the driver-assist systems — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 11,500 miles.

B

29

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Warnings 14 48.3%
Automatic Emergency Braking 7 24.1%
Blind Spot Detection 2 6.9%
Warning 2 6.9%
Forward Collision Avoidance 1 3.4%
Assist 1 3.4%
Automatic Steering 1 3.4%
Display Function 1 3.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Woodstock, GA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

While driving, the Forward Collision Warning system activated unexpectedly without any apparent hazard or obstruction in front of my vehicle. Immediately after the warning appeared, the vehicle suddenly lost speed and became very slow to accelerate. I was unable to safely increase my speed while traveling on a busy roadway, creating a dangerous situation and nearly resulting in a collision with surrounding traffic. Due to the sudden loss of power and inability to accelerate normally, I activated my hazard lights and was forced to pull onto the shoulder of the road for my safety and the safety of other drivers. There were no visible obstacles, vehicles, or road conditions that appeared to justify the activation of the Forward Collision Warning system. This unexpected activation and resulting loss of vehicle performance created a significant safety risk. I am submitting this complaint because a malfunction of the Forward Collision Warning system or related vehicle systems could potentially lead to a serious accident or injury. I have experienced recurring brake issues despite recently having the brakes replaced. The problem continues to occur, raising concerns that there may be an underlying electrical or electronic malfunction affecting vehicle performance. I was recently pulled over shortly after the brake replacement due to concerns regarding the vehicle's braking system. Because the issue persists after repairs, I am concerned about the safety of the vehicle and the potential risk of a crash or loss of control.

NHTSA complaint #11741432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Menifee, CA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

February 1st 2026, I done my oil change. My car was running fine. No check engine light was on or anything, my forward collision warning started disabling itself when I always kept it on. When I try to accelerate my vehicle it would take a while to accelerate. March 7th 2026, while I was driving, my car quit while it was still running. It also quit the same day again just in park. March 8th 2026, I went to take my vehicle to get a diagnostics and when leaving my home. My car stalled out and quit while in drive. After taking my vehicle to the mechanic, the mechanic reported to me my car had no oil in my car and my motor was fried. I have had the vehicle less than a year and it’s giving me all of these issues

NHTSA complaint #11724175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

the safety of others are put at risk due to system on and off due to shortage and wire triggering. The vehicle listed above collision system wire harness have a shortage and causes the vehicle not to be safe and unable to operate on roadways, highways and streets. there were warning light indicators on the dashboard and need a full-inspection and harness replacement before resale or auction sale.

NHTSA complaint #11709278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

the safety of others are put at risk due to system on and off due to shortage and wire triggering. The vehicle listed above collision system wire harness have a shortage and causes the vehicle not to be safe and unable to operate on roadways, highways and streets. there were warning light indicators on the dashboard and need a full-inspection and harness replacement before resale or auction sale.

NHTSA complaint #11709278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

the safety of others are put at risk due to system on and off due to shortage and wire triggering. The vehicle listed above collision system wire harness have a shortage and causes the vehicle not to be safe and unable to operate on roadways, highways and streets. there were warning light indicators on the dashboard and need a full-inspection and harness replacement before resale or auction sale.

NHTSA complaint #11709278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Galveston, TX

LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: AUTOMATIC STEERING

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Lane Keep Assist system activated briefly, taking control of the vehicle and the vehicle started pulling to the right lane. As a result of the failure, the contact completely lost control of the vehicle and spun out into oncoming traffic narrowly avoiding a crash. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11646235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chestnut Hill, MA

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

CarPlay digital screen is bubbling on the right side, up the top and now to the left part of the screen. I was told by Kia Service it would take $1200 to repair and to use it til it breaks. I googled this issue and learned a lot of Kia cars from 2019 have the same issue. This bubbling is caused by the car heating up internally, which no car owner has control over. This bubbling results in the screen not working. Which means I will be driving and pressing the screen and nothing happens. Then, I have to agressively press deeply onto the screen until it works and it takes my focus off the road longer than I would like. It also makes the screen glitch out and moves the CarPlay screen around so things aren’t centered. I went to look just now to see if maybe this has since been recalled since I last asked about it in 2022. That’s when I found multiple forums with people complaining about the same problem. This seems to be the only avenue to try and complain about this because this shouldn’t be on owners to pay in full when we aren’t creating the issue. This is a manufacturing issue and not realizing these LED screens can’t handle the hot heat cars will sit in when AC isn’t running. What can be done to compensate people experiencing this issue?

NHTSA complaint #11629358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Downingtown, PA

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

It’s very hard to see at night and I know there is a recall for 2019 Kia forte with low beam aiming the recall is SC171. Also when I start driving I hear a rattling sound and there is another recall for 2019 Kia fortes. Power train axle assembly. The recall is SC195

NHTSA complaint #11606729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chuluota, FL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Have had the car since it had 30,000 on it. It was one year old when we bought it. We changed the oil every three months faithfully. The car has 77,000 miles on it now and needs a new engine. The Kias with this type of engine have been recalled, but this car was not. I have had three mechanics tell me that Kia just built this engine poorly. Is there anything that can be done?

NHTSA complaint #11603854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chuluota, FL

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

Have had the car since it had 30,000 on it. It was one year old when we bought it. We changed the oil every three months faithfully. The car has 77,000 miles on it now and needs a new engine. The Kias with this type of engine have been recalled, but this car was not. I have had three mechanics tell me that Kia just built this engine poorly. Is there anything that can be done?

NHTSA complaint #11603854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia, SC

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

While driving, I've observed that my vehicle's forward collision alert system triggers prematurely. It brakes suddenly, as if I'm approaching another vehicle too quickly or on the verge of a collision, despite there being a significant distance between us. Two days ago, the FCA warning lights came on stating to "Check Forward Collision Avoidance Assist System" .

NHTSA complaint #11575988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kalamazoo, MI

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

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 complaint #11574106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clinton, MD

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The Automatic Emergency Braking system activated when I was driving with no one in front of me four times in the span of one month. I am waiting to get my vehicle inspected so they can diagnose and fix the camera issue. There were no warnings or other alerts up until the system began to activate. Twice, I was on a pretty clear highway and braked suddenly and without reason.

NHTSA complaint #11546925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

De Leon Springs, FL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

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 complaint #11542050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lewisville, TX

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

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 complaint #11503107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Round Rock, TX

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

Forward Collision Obstruction light keeps popping on while driving very randomly steering sometimes doesn’t work and brakes sometimes don’t work all very random sometimes car is completely fine sometimes it’s not… it’s very scary I haven’t taken it in to be inspected yet. Headlight fail light keeps turning on and off as well

NHTSA complaint #11495254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Round Rock, TX

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

Forward Collision Obstruction light keeps popping on while driving very randomly steering sometimes doesn’t work and brakes sometimes don’t work all very random sometimes car is completely fine sometimes it’s not… it’s very scary I haven’t taken it in to be inspected yet. Headlight fail light keeps turning on and off as well

NHTSA complaint #11495254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Round Rock, TX

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Forward Collision Obstruction light keeps popping on while driving very randomly steering sometimes doesn’t work and brakes sometimes don’t work all very random sometimes car is completely fine sometimes it’s not… it’s very scary I haven’t taken it in to be inspected yet. Headlight fail light keeps turning on and off as well

NHTSA complaint #11495254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Blaine, WA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

The collision light comes on and a drop down on the dash says the collision is not working. Upon occasion the breaks with go off randomly. When the breaks all of a sudden slam it makes a horrible noise that scares me and I automatically want to slam on my breaks when that happens. I have a fear of someone rear ending me. I don't know if the break lights come on when that happens. Smith Kia in Bellingham WA. has looked at the car numerous times. They could never duplicate the problem so nothing ever got fixed for a long time. Then one day it was reproduced by them and they said they got a reading on it and fixed the problem. But it didn't fix the problem it still is doing it. They kept my car again a few times but this time cannot duplicate it so they gave me my car back. I even sent them lots of pictures every time it happened with the mileage in the picture. The manufacturer has never looked at my car. No insurance, police or other has looked at my car. The warning lights would just come on randomly at any given time. The same with my breaks randomly going off. There was a drop down stating a lot of words but I could never read it because it popped back up so fast but when the breaks went off there was no dash lights saying anything only the drop down. There was never any warning ahead of time. It just happened with both occasions, NO WARNINGS!!

NHTSA complaint #11454447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Blaine, WA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The collision light comes on and a drop down on the dash says the collision is not working. Upon occasion the breaks with go off randomly. When the breaks all of a sudden slam it makes a horrible noise that scares me and I automatically want to slam on my breaks when that happens. I have a fear of someone rear ending me. I don't know if the break lights come on when that happens. Smith Kia in Bellingham WA. has looked at the car numerous times. They could never duplicate the problem so nothing ever got fixed for a long time. Then one day it was reproduced by them and they said they got a reading on it and fixed the problem. But it didn't fix the problem it still is doing it. They kept my car again a few times but this time cannot duplicate it so they gave me my car back. I even sent them lots of pictures every time it happened with the mileage in the picture. The manufacturer has never looked at my car. No insurance, police or other has looked at my car. The warning lights would just come on randomly at any given time. The same with my breaks randomly going off. There was a drop down stating a lot of words but I could never read it because it popped back up so fast but when the breaks went off there was no dash lights saying anything only the drop down. There was never any warning ahead of time. It just happened with both occasions, NO WARNINGS!!

NHTSA complaint #11454447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Katy, TX

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

The Collison forward warning and check engine light has been going on and off my car since last year. I have had to go to the shop several times with no answers why this is happening! Every time I bring it in it goes off again and they said nothing is wrong with the car to bring it in when the lights come back on. They come and go so its hard to keep bring it back and they said without the light on they can't run a diagnostic test. Yesterday I was going down my street at 30 MPH the forward collision warning came on and my car immediately stopped on its own like I hit something then the check engine light came on! It scared me half to death! I turned off my car and then turned it back on. The check engine light is still on now. I am done with this car!

NHTSA complaint #11424358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Katy, TX

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The Collison forward warning and check engine light has been going on and off my car since last year. I have had to go to the shop several times with no answers why this is happening! Every time I bring it in it goes off again and they said nothing is wrong with the car to bring it in when the lights come back on. They come and go so its hard to keep bring it back and they said without the light on they can't run a diagnostic test. Yesterday I was going down my street at 30 MPH the forward collision warning came on and my car immediately stopped on its own like I hit something then the check engine light came on! It scared me half to death! I turned off my car and then turned it back on. The check engine light is still on now. I am done with this car!

NHTSA complaint #11424358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,374 miles Punta Gorda, FL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

FORWARD COLLISION ASSIST DISABLES WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY, AT VARYING SPEEDS AND VARYING ROAD TYPES.

NHTSA complaint #11395997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tampa, FL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

IT USUALLY JUST RANDOMLY HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING, THE LIGHT COMES ON AND TO TURN IT OFF I EITHER HAVE TO RESTART MY CAR OR JUST WAIT UNTIL IT GOES AWAY . SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T

NHTSA complaint #11394589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tampa, FL

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

IT USUALLY JUST RANDOMLY HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING, THE LIGHT COMES ON AND TO TURN IT OFF I EITHER HAVE TO RESTART MY CAR OR JUST WAIT UNTIL IT GOES AWAY . SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T

NHTSA complaint #11394589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,500 miles Fort Worth, TX

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

FCW DISABLES WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD.TOOK TO KIA DEALER AND WAS TOLD WAS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM WITH NO FIX. KIA IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WONT FIX IT. HERE IS A LINK TO WHAT IS HAPPENING: HTTPS://WWW.KIFORTE.COM/FCA_FRONT_VIEW_CAMERA_SENSOR-228.HTML

NHTSA complaint #11387985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,500 miles Fort Worth, TX

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

FCW DISABLES WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD.TOOK TO KIA DEALER AND WAS TOLD WAS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM WITH NO FIX. KIA IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WONT FIX IT. HERE IS A LINK TO WHAT IS HAPPENING: HTTPS://WWW.KIFORTE.COM/FCA_FRONT_VIEW_CAMERA_SENSOR-228.HTML

NHTSA complaint #11387985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Carthage, MO

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

WHILE DRIVING THE CRASH RESPONSE SYSTEMS TURNS ON & SHOWS ERROR CODES WHICH HAS CAUSED VEHICLE TO STOP BY IT SELF. ALSO THE DRIVER ASSIST HAS PULLED MY WHEEL OUT OF MY HAND & JERKED HAD TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES.... THE LEFT STRUT MOUNT BEARING IS ALSO DEFECTIVE ON THE VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint #11302528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lexington, SC

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE 'CAMERA OBSTRUCTED' WARNING SYMBOL STARTED TO FLASH. ALSO, THE BRAKES ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED FLASHING. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JT'S KIA OF COLUMBIA (230 KILLIAN COMMONS PARKWAY, COLUMBIA, SC 29203) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, IT WAS ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN THE DEALER'S CUSTODY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11297478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2019 KIA Forte problems

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