Used Kia Forte 3rd Gen (2019-2024): Buyer's Guide

Some 2019 Kia Forte owners needed a transmission replacement before they'd driven 2,000 miles. Then a second replacement at 36,000. Then Kia issued a technical service bulletin acknowledging the IVT's software had been wrong from the factory. And here is the part that matters most if you are shopping used: Kia's famous 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty does not transfer to second owners. As a used buyer, you get the remaining balance of the 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty. If you buy a 2019 Forte in 2026, that warranty expired two years ago.

None of this disqualifies the Forte. RepairPal ranks it 6th out of 36 compact cars for reliability, with average annual repair costs of $451. The 2020 and newer models smoothed out the worst first-year issues. But the warranty gap and the IVT history are the two things most used-car shoppers do not know going in. This guide covers everything else.

This Generation at a Glance

The third-generation Kia Forte launched for model year 2019 on the BD platform, shared with the Hyundai Elantra AD. It replaced the 2014-2018 second generation with more aggressive Stinger-inspired styling and an all-new continuously variable transmission that Kia branded the IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission).

The 2019 launched with one engine: the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder. Kia added the turbocharged 1.6-liter GT trim for 2020, along with the GT-Line which replaced the S trim. The generation received a mid-cycle facelift for 2022: updated front and rear styling, a larger infotainment screen on upper trims, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the GT-Line and above, and improved standard driver assistance systems. The EX trim was dropped with the 2022 refresh. The 2024 Forte is the final model year of this generation; Kia renamed the model line for 2025.

Year pages: 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024

Powertrain and Trim Breakdown

2.0L MPI + IVT (2019-2024)

The 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine covers every Forte trim except the GT. At 147 hp, it is not quick, but it is adequate for a compact sedan and extremely fuel-efficient: the FE trim achieves 35 MPG combined, which is class-competitive with much more expensive hybrids.

The IVT problem. Kia's Intelligent Variable Transmission uses a steel push-belt chain rather than a rubber belt found in conventional CVTs, and it is computer-controlled in-house. In the first production year, the software logic was wrong. IVT failures were documented as low as 1,200 miles. The Kia Soul Forums community tracked failure mileages across dozens of owners and found a pattern of low-total-mileage failures in 2019 vehicles: 13,200 miles, 17,500 miles, 24,000 miles, and the striking case of a second replacement at 36,000 miles after the first failed at 28,000. A class action investigation was opened in 2020 covering 2019-2021 Kia and Hyundai vehicles with defective IVT units.

Kia issued TSB SA424, the official bulletin authorizing dealers to update the IVT software logic and, where needed, replace the transmission entirely. A 2020 GT-Line owner on forteforums.com reported receiving the update three months into ownership and then reaching 107,000 miles with no further issues. So the fix works. The question for used buyers is whether the specific vehicle received it.

What the IVT failure feels like. Shudder or hesitation at low speeds, especially pulling away from a stop. A vibration that pulses through the drivetrain at 20-30 MPH. Some owners describe it as the car "hunting" for a ratio before smoothing out. On a cold test drive, these symptoms are obvious within the first five minutes of driving.

Heat management. The IVT runs hotter than conventional automatics. Early IVT fluid changes at 30,000-mile intervals rather than Kia's default schedule reduce wear and help prevent overheating-related failures. The spec fluid is AISIN CVTF-TC or equivalent. An IVT fluid change costs $100-$150 at an independent shop.

Oil consumption on the 2.0L. Separate from the IVT, the 2.0-liter engine in some 2019-2020 examples has documented oil consumption issues. Owners on forteforums.com report consumption as severe as 1 quart per 500 miles in the worst cases. Kia's threshold for warranty coverage requires specific fault codes and documented oil change history. Engine replacement runs approximately $4,000. Pull the dipstick on any high-mileage 2019-2020 before the test drive.

What owners like. Fuel economy is the consistent win. Owners who got clean IVT units report 33-35 MPG real-world combined and minimal maintenance costs. The 2.0L is smooth enough at highway speeds and undemanding to maintain.

1.6L GDI Turbo + 7-Speed DCT (2020-2024)

The GT trim, available from 2020 onward, is a fundamentally different car. The 1.6-liter turbocharged direct-injection engine produces 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission or, unusually for a modern compact, a 6-speed manual.

What owners like. The 1.6T in the GT is quick enough to be genuinely fun. The turbo spools fast, power delivery is linear, and the 7-speed DCT shifts cleanly at speed. Owners consistently say the GT changes the character of the car entirely compared to the IVT-equipped trims.

DCT clutch judder. The D7UF1 7-speed dual-clutch transmission develops a clutch shudder pattern in some examples. The symptom: a low-speed vibration or judder when engaging from a stop, particularly on light throttle in heavy traffic. Kia issued a service bulletin for DCT clutch assembly replacement and DCT actuator replacement in affected vehicles. A 2020 GT owner on forteforums.com documented needing multiple actuator replacements before the judder was resolved. During a test drive, drive slowly in a parking lot, come to a full stop, then apply light throttle. Any vibration or thud from the front end is a DCT concern.

GDI carbon buildup. The 1.6T uses gasoline direct injection. Unlike port-injected engines, GDI cannot use fuel spray to clean the intake valves. Carbon deposits build up over time, causing hesitation, rough idle, and reduced power, typically noticed above 60,000 miles. The fix is walnut shell blasting of the intake valves, a procedure that costs $250-$400 at an independent shop. For any high-mileage GT purchase, ask whether this has been done. If not, factor it into your offer.

Stop-and-go traffic. Dual-clutch transmissions are designed for efficient power transfer at steady speeds, not continuous low-speed engagement in traffic. Owners on kia-forums.com note the 1.6T GT in heavy urban stop-and-go can be frustrating, with creep hesitation and occasional jerks. The wet clutch design tolerates this better than dry DCTs, but it is not as seamless as the IVT in the same conditions. If your commute is primarily stop-and-go, the 2.0L IVT is genuinely more comfortable.

Cold start behavior. The 1.6T on cold mornings sometimes hesitates on initial acceleration. This is normal behavior for a turbocharged GDI engine and not a defect. It clears within a minute of warming up. If the hesitation persists past warm-up, that is different.

Manual transmission option. The 6MT on the GT is relatively rare in the used market but is the most mechanically durable option in the lineup if you find one. Clutch replacement for a typical used buyer is still years away. If you drive a manual and find a 6MT GT, it skips all DCT clutch concerns and the only major maintenance item is the clutch itself at high mileage.

Trim-Specific Notes

FE: The base fuel economy trim with the 2.0L and IVT. Minimal features but genuine 35 MPG capability. If fuel economy is the primary purchase driver, the FE does it cheaply with few items to break. Rare on the used market outside fleet sales.

LX / LXS: The volume trims. LXS is the most common Forte on the used market. Standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are included from 2019. These trims have halogen headlights, which received IIHS "Poor" nighttime performance ratings across the generation. More on this below.

GT-Line (2020-2024): The best styling for the least cost. GT-Line gets sportier exterior trim, a larger infotainment screen on 2022+ models (10.25 inches), and a flat-bottom steering wheel. It uses the 2.0L IVT, not the 1.6T. If you want the visual package without the DCT maintenance considerations, this is the trim to target. The GT-Line also uses port injection on the 2.0L rather than direct injection, which means no carbon buildup concern.

EX (2019-2021 only): Added technology features over LXS, including heated rear seats and ventilated front seats. Discontinued after 2021. Not common on the used market. The EX offered no powertrain difference from other 2.0L trims.

GT (2020-2024): The performance trim. Noticeably sportier seats, 201 hp, and a chassis tuned differently from the rest of the lineup. The GT is the only reason to pay a premium in this generation. See the 1.6T section above for the specific considerations.

One important note on headlights. IIHS tested the 2022 and 2023 Forte and awarded "Poor" ratings for headlight performance on the halogen trims, covering the LX, LXS, and GT-Line. The Poor rating correlates with 19% more nighttime single-vehicle crashes than vehicles with Good-rated headlights. If you frequently drive rural roads or highways at night, verify whether the specific vehicle has LED headlights before buying, or plan to upgrade.

Which Model Years to Target Within This Gen

2019: Caution. The first-year Forte generated 144 NHTSA complaints. Two recalls cover this year: headlight aiming (campaign 18V771000) and a left front axle driveshaft lacking proper heat treatment (20V459000), where driveshaft failure causes complete loss of forward drive. The IVT software issue was most prevalent in first-year production. The 2019 is also the only year without the GT trim option. If you are considering a 2019, verify both recalls are completed and ask for the TSB SA424 IVT software update history. Any 2019 Forte bought used today falls outside the transferred 5-year/60,000-mile warranty entirely.

2020: Good. Zero recalls, 68 complaints. The IVT TSB was available to dealers by 2020 production. The addition of the GT trim gives buyers an option that simply did not exist in 2019. Most 2020s are now past the 5-year warranty window, but low-mileage CPO examples may still carry the full 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

2021: Good. Functionally identical to 2020. Zero recalls, 67 complaints. The slightly lower complaint count suggests stable production quality. If you find a clean 2021 with service history showing the IVT TSB was addressed, this is a safe choice.

2022: Best value. Complaints dropped to 22. The mid-cycle facelift brought meaningful real-world improvements: the 10.25-inch screen on GT-Line and GT, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, improved forward collision detection with pedestrian and cyclist options, and standard lane-centering. The 2022 is the best combination of modern features and used-market depreciation in this generation.

2023: Check recalls. The 2023 has three NHTSA recalls. The steering knuckle recall (22V906000) covered 939 vehicles from a narrow production window (October 21 to November 7, 2022) where a worker did not follow casting procedures. If the VIN falls in that production batch, confirm the knuckle has been replaced. A second and third recall covered right front lower control arm welding defects (23V649000 and 24V244000). Run any 2023 VIN through the recall tool before making an offer.

2024: Best. Zero recalls, 21 complaints. The freshest examples with the fewest miles. The 2024 is the final year of the Forte nameplate. Used supply is thinner and prices reflect it, but the data is the cleanest in the generation.

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

For All 3rd-Gen Fortes

• Run the VIN through recall lookup first. Before scheduling a test drive, confirm all open recalls are addressed. For 2019: verify 18V771000 (headlights) and 20V459000 (driveshaft) are closed. For 2023: verify 22V906000 (steering knuckle) and 23V649000/24V244000 (control arm) are closed.
• Test the audio system. The Forte's infotainment is known to drop audio completely across all sources: radio, CarPlay, Bluetooth, and navigation. On the test drive, play audio from at least two sources and listen to all speakers. If you get silence from any speaker or the system, a hard reset (disconnect negative battery terminal for 15 minutes) may temporarily fix it, but persistent failures may need head unit repair or replacement.
• Test the forward collision avoidance. On the test drive, drive in traffic and observe whether the system triggers unnecessarily. On 2019 models specifically, the FCA camera falsely reports obstruction during normal highway driving, causing warning messages and sometimes applying brakes. A false brake on a highway is a serious event. If it happens during your drive, it is a documented flaw, not a one-time glitch.
• Check headlight type. On lower trims (LX, LXS, GT-Line), confirm whether the headlights are halogen or LED. IIHS rated halogen Forte headlights as "Poor" for nighttime illumination. If it matters to you, confirm the spec before buying. Aftermarket LED upgrades run $100-$300 for the assembly.

2.0L IVT Specific

• Cold IVT shudder test. Start the car cold. Drive at parking-lot speed in first gear and apply light throttle from a stop. Any vibration or hunting sensation before smooth engagement is an IVT concern. Do this multiple times. A clean IVT should pull away smoothly and silently every time.
• Ask for TSB SA424 service records. The IVT software update is the single most important service history item for 2019-2021 models. If there is no documentation, budget for the dealer visit to confirm it has been applied.
• Check oil level before starting. Pull the dipstick cold, before the engine runs. If the oil is significantly low on a 2019-2020, that is a red flag for the documented oil consumption problem. A clean dipstick at a proper level is a good sign. A dark and low dipstick is a reason to ask for a compression test.

1.6T DCT (GT Trim) Specific

• Slow-speed DCT test. In a parking lot, come to a full stop and pull away with minimum throttle. Repeat six to eight times. Any clunk, bang, or vibration from the front driveline during this sequence is the DCT judder pattern. A clean DCT engages silently and progressively every time.
• Ask about carbon buildup service. For any GT above 60,000 miles, ask if walnut blasting has been performed on the intake valves. If not, have a shop estimate the cost and factor it into your offer.
• Highway engagement quality. At highway speeds, the 7-speed DCT should shift cleanly without lurching. Any jerk, slip, or harsh engagement above 50 MPH is a DCT actuator concern. If the judder service bulletin has not been applied, a dealer can check the DCT actuator under warranty (if still in coverage) or for $150-$300 diagnosis cost.

Running Costs

The $451 average annual repair cost from RepairPal covers the full generation and places the Forte among the least expensive compact sedans to own long-term. This number will be skewed lower on post-2020 examples versus 2019s with IVT history.

IVT replacement cost without warranty. An out-of-warranty IVT replacement at a dealer typically runs $3,000-$5,000 depending on labor rates and whether the transmission assembly is rebuilt or replaced outright. If you are buying a 2019-2020 Forte without remaining warranty and the IVT shows any symptoms, price this risk before you commit.

Warranty status for used buyers. The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty applies only to the original owner. As a subsequent owner, you receive the remaining balance of the 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty from the original purchase date. A 2019 Forte original owner purchased it in late 2018 or 2019. That 5-year window has expired. A 2021 or 2022 may still have basic warranty remaining. CPO Forte purchases from a Kia dealer maintain the full remaining 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage, which changes the calculus significantly on 2020-2021 examples with mileage room to spare.

FAQ

Is the Kia Forte 3rd gen IVT reliable? Post-TSB SA424, the IVT is substantially more reliable. Owners on forteforums.com with 100,000-plus miles on updated 2020-2021 examples report no transmission issues. The risk is concentrated in 2019 production and in any 2019-2021 that never received the software update. Verify TSB completion before buying.

What year Kia Forte 3rd gen should I buy? The 2022 is the sweet spot. Complaints fell to 22 for the year, the mid-cycle facelift brought better screens and wireless CarPlay, and IVT software issues are largely behind post-2021 production. For a budget-focused buy, a clean 2021 with TSB history documented is a close second at a lower price point.

Is the Kia Forte GT with the 1.6T worth buying used? Yes, with conditions. The GT is genuinely more fun to drive than any other Forte and the 1.6T is a capable engine. The DCT clutch judder issue is real but fixable under warranty or for $300-$600 at a dealer. On any GT above 60,000 miles, confirm walnut blast history and test the DCT at parking-lot speed before committing.

How many miles does a 3rd gen Kia Forte last? With proper maintenance, 200,000 miles is achievable. One 2019 GT-Line owner on forteforums.com reached 118,000 miles as a delivery driver with no major drivetrain repairs. The 2.0L MPI is a durable engine architecture. The weak link historically is the IVT, not the engine. A clean IVT on a post-2019 Forte should go well beyond 150,000 miles with regular fluid service.

Does the Kia warranty transfer when buying a used Forte? No, not fully. The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty stays with the original owner. Subsequent buyers receive only the remaining balance of the 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty from the original purchase date. The one exception: certified pre-owned (CPO) purchases from a Kia dealer transfer the full remaining balance of the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. If you are buying a 2020-2022 with significant mileage room left, CPO status dramatically changes the risk profile.

Bottom Line

Run every VIN through the recall lookup tool before you negotiate. On 2019s, verify both recalls are closed and ask specifically about TSB SA424. On 2023s, check the steering knuckle recall status. Then find a 2022 GT-Line if you want a daily driver: the facelift styling, the larger screen, wireless CarPlay, and the lowest complaint history in the pre-facelift era all arrive together. If the GT is calling you, find a 2022 or 2023 DCT example with low mileage and do the parking-lot DCT shudder test before signing anything. CarScout members can track price drops on specific Forte trims and years at usecarscout.com.

Data sourced from NHTSA recalls database, EPA fuel economy data, and real owner experiences from forteforums.com, kia-forums.com, kiasoulforums.com, RepairPal, IIHS headlight testing data, and consumer reporting from Cars.com, CarBuzz, and Kelley Blue Book. See the full Kia Forte market data for current pricing and inventory.