2019 Kia Forte Recall: Left front axle driveshaft may not have been heat-treated, which can cause…
NHTSA campaign 20V459000 · Power Train · filed Aug 5, 2020 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
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.
The risk
A broken driveshaft can result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
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 recall began September 2, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC195.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
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Other campaigns involving Kia vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 20V459000 (manufacturer number SC195). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.