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2019 Kia Forte

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 Forte.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2019 Kia Forte is a passenger car equipped with an automatic transmission utilizing variable gear ratios and an engine requiring 4.2 quarts of oil, delivering an EPA-estimated 30 city, 40 highway, and 34 combined mpg. While its power train stands out as the top complaint area among 146 owner complaints and 2 recalls, this model year occupies a moderate position in the Forte's broader reliability history. It registers well below the nameplate's historical peak of 437 complaints in 2014, yet remains significantly elevated compared to the single-complaint low of 2009, indicating a middling track record that researchers should weigh carefully.

Model year2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque79-94 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy30/40/34 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tail / brake / turnEXTOEM · verified

Tire size225/45R17 91WOEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	182.7 in
Overall width	70.9 in
Overall height	56.7 in
Wheelbase	106.3 in
Curb weight	2762 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	30 / 40 / 34 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	96 cu ft
Cargo volume	15 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Forte of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2019 EX Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2019	EX Sedan 2.0L I-4	8.10 sec	16.40 sec	147 hp	FWD
2019	EX Sedan 2.0L I-4	8.10 sec	16.40 sec	147 hp	FWD
2019	EX Sedan 2.0L I-4	8.20 sec	16.40 sec	147 hp	FWD
2019	EX Launch Edition Sedan 2.0L I-4	8.70 sec	16.70 sec	147 hp	FWD
2020	GT Sedan 1.6L Turbo I-4	6.70 sec	15.00 sec	201 hp	FWD
2022	GT Sedan 1.6L Turbo I-4	6.40 sec	14.90 sec	201 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 79-94 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	Dot 3
Engine Coolant	Ethylene Glycol
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · 10W-30 · 15W-40 · 20W-50 · 5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	145.0-152.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	87-94 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	79-94 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	79-94 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	144.0-202.0 Install a new nut. ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	640 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)	AC Speed Up: 680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)	AC Speed Up: 100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	640 Checking Speed rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	±100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)	680 AC Speed Up rpm

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Cranking Performance

AGM Battery: 640 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	48.0-54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	48.0-54.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	16.0-23.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 58.0-; Rear: 47.0-
ABS Sensor Torque	Front: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: .827; Rear: .331
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.0002
Maximum Rotor Runout	Front: .0016; Rear: .0012
Maximum Drum Diameter	Rear: 8.079

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

13-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°.

13–16 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

24-27 ft. lbs., Step 2: Turn 90-95°, Step 3: Turn 90-95°.

24–27 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

24-27 ft. lbs. Step 2: 90-95°. Step 3: 90-95°.

24–27 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

20-23 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120°-125°.

20–23 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
At 30,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 mi	Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2019 Kia Forte, as the first year of a new generation, recorded 146 complaints and 2 recalls—a notable improvement over the previous generation’s peak of 437 complaints in 2014 and 300 in 2017. Its complaint count is similar to the 2018 model (134) but lower than the 2015 (258) and earlier years, while its two recalls are fewer than the three or more seen in most prior model years. The top complaint areas for 2019 are powertrain (37) and engine (19), with 11 crash and 4 fire complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. The trend across the generation shows a general decline in complaints and recalls from the 2014 high, with 2019 falling in the lower portion of that arc. Given its relatively low complaint and recall numbers compared to earlier years, and as a fresh-generation start, the 2019 Forte is a solid used-car choice, though you should still check for any unresolved powertrain or engine issues.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

102

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

146

Owner complaints

11 involved a crash · 4 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’17 ’18’19’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 146 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train37

Engine19

Unknown Or Other10

Electrical System7

Forward Collision Avoidance6

Steering5

Engine & Engine Cooling4

Exterior Lighting4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V771000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 31/10/2018

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… Remedy: 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…

20V459000Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle ShaftReported 05/08/2020

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. Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 102 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
CS2312_TSB_R2	2026-06-08	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
SC199_OWNR_BD_3	2026-02-19	Power Train	VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC199 FL301) - This document…
TSB_CS2312_R1	2026-02-18	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_CS2312	2025-12-17	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
CS2312_OWNR	2025-12-17	Structure	CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Forte. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4.2 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2019 Forte take?

4.2 qt of Turbo Engines: All Temperatures: 5W-30 is preferred or 5W-40. Above 0°F: 10W-30. Above 10°F: 15W-40. Above 20°F: 20W-50. Non Turbo Equipped Engines: All Temperatures: 5W-20 is preferred or 5W-30. Above 0°F: 10W-30., per the factory manual.

Does the 2019 Forte have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Forte get?

EPA figures are 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined mpg.