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2019 Kia Forte: headlights failing or too dim

10 of the 150 complaints about the 2019 Kia Forte describe headlights failing or too dim.

owner complaints
10
of this car's complaints
7%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below

Headlights failing or too dim by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 22, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · GA

I am writing to report a recurring and potentially dangerous issue with my Kia Forte. My vehicle has randomly failed to start on multiple occasions, requiring a jump start. More concerning, it has also shut off while I was driving, which is extremely alarming and could have resulted in a serious accident. These incidents have happened several times, and I no longer feel safe driving the vehicle. I suspect this may be related to an electrical issue, as I am also experiencing:     •    Intermittent failure of the backup camera     •    Headlights, brake lights, fog lights, and daytime running lights failing to operate correctly     •    General electrical irregularities throughout the vehicle I have checked for recalls related to Kia Fortes and found that other vehicles of the same make and model have had similar issues. However, there are no active recalls for my VIN, despite experiencing the same or more severe symptoms described in those recalls. This situation is extremely concerning and I believe it warrants further investigation. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review this issue and consider whether additional recalls or safety investigations may be necessary for other Kia Forte owners experiencing similar electrical and engine issues. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I would appreciate any guidance on next steps or how to ensure my vehicle is properly inspected for these safety concerns.

Filed Oct 16, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · 105,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, there was smoke coming from the front driver’s side headlamp, prompting the contact to have her son disconnect the headlamp wiring harness. After a visual inspection, the contact observed that the wiring harness showed signs of burn damage. The headlamp warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V771000 (Exterior Lighting), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 105,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · GA

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.

Filed Aug 6, 2024 · Driver assistance, Lights · PA

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

Filed Aug 22, 2023 · Lights · 39,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the front driver's side and passenger's side high beam lights, low beam lights, and indicators had failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the light bulbs were replaced; however, the failure recurred several times within 3 months. The contact stated that the passenger's side low beam headlight, indicator, and the headlight were not working as needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be charged a fee for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

Filed Nov 29, 2022 · Driver assistance · TX

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

Filed Jan 27, 2022 · CT

#1 I assume the fuel system or electric system are what failed #2the car shuts off while driving,when trying to restart{if it restarts} no power & shuts off again #3 I have contacted the dealer& kia main branch in california 3 times by phone & email but have heard nothing, I have been trying to find out if there is a recall but the dealership said have it towed here & it will cost 100$ to see if its been recalled{ my answer was you could tell me by the v I n # I cant affored a tow the 100$ to tell me if there is a recall{there answer was thats not my problem}#4 there were problems with the head lights kept blowing out{I replaced them2x out of pocket#5 the only warning I had was loss of power before dying.

Filed Feb 5, 2021 · Electrical · IN

Passenger side low beam headlight keeps going out,works for a then goes out

Filed Aug 11, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · 16,500 miles · OH

Everytime I am on the highway, then either come to a complete stop or try to turn to go up a hill. It won't kick in to gear. Thd rpms go way up and it almost stops running. Its been happening like for a week now. Its getting worse. My headlights also seem like they are pointed to low to the ground. Please help I use my car for work. Thank you

Filed Oct 28, 2019 · Airbags, Lights · 16,000 miles · GA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2019 kia forte. While driving approximately 20 MPH at night, the headlights were very dim and the contact did not see an animal in the road. To avoid the animal, the contact veered off the road and crashed into a ditch. The frontal air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000. *dt

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported October 31, 2018 · 1,754 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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 contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC171.

Recall number 18V771000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2019 Kia Forte headlights

Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2019 Kia Forte?

10 of 150 owner complaints about the 2019 Kia Forte (7%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2017.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2019 Kia Forte?

There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2019 Kia Forte

Transmission failure 21Check engine light 18Stalling 17Engine failure 14Collision warning 12Loss of power 12Fire or smoke 6Jerking 6No deployment 5Grinding brakes 5

All model years of the Kia Forte

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