Model year record

2016 Kia Forte recalls & problems

The 2016 Kia Forte has 1 safety recall and 136 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (66 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints136filed by owners

Crashes · fires16 · 6reported in complaints

NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars

2016 Kia Forte in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Latches/locks/linkagesAug 9, 2021

Trunk lid › Latch

Recall 21V622000253,074 vehicles

Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2016 Kia Forte 5 HB FWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	10.3%

2016 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	10.3%

2016 Kia Forte Koup 2 DR FWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2016 Kia Forte NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2016 Kia Forte NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Forte

30mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 37 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/year to fuel

Forte

29mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 36 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Forte Koup

28mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Forte 5

28mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Forte

28mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 35 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Forte Koup

27mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Forte Koup

25mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Forte Koup

24mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Forte 5

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Forte 5

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine	66	2	3	2	67,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition › Anti-theft › Immobilizer/proximity › Key/sender	22	0	2	0	29,000 mi
Power train	16	2	2	0	17,310 mi
Unknown or other	15	1	1	1	39,022 mi
Vehicle speed control	14	1	0	0	6,650 mi
Air bags	13	11	1	9	50,000 mi
Exterior lighting	10	0	0	0	—
Service brakes	10	1	0	0	118,167 mi
Wheels	6	0	0	0	38,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	6	0	1	0	—
Steering	5	0	0	0	28,000 mi
StructureBody	5	1	2	0	15,432 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Exterior lighting
The Headlights and ALL exterior lights FLICKER or TURN OFF ENTIRELY while driving, especially when touching the Multi-Function Turn Signal Stalk to signal a turn. This can and HAS happened when the Headlights are switched on any mode: MARKER LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, or AUTO. I can be driving, Headlights are on AUTO - suddenly - ALL HEADLIGHTS/EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER OR TURN OFF. I have to quickly touch the Multi-Function Stalk or switch it from AUTO to HEADLIGHTS to keep the lights on. I then have to be careful when using the same Stalk to signal turns or it may cause the lights to flicker or turn off entirely AGAIN. THIS ISSUE CAN OCCUR EVERY DAY IF I'M NOT VERY DELICATE WITH THE MULTI-FUNCTION…
Oct 1, 2026
Engine
Im getting denied dued to engine failure but whoever had the vehicle before didn't follow up with the ksds update, I just purchased the vehicle on June 30th,2026, I need this fixed ASAP because I still owe on this car.
Aug 5, 2026
Insert, padding
When I have the windows down, I can see the headrest flapping in the wind. I took the cover off and discovered that the styrofoam had broken in half. I used foam adhesive to bind it together. Once again, windows down and the headrest is still flapping in the wind. Look underneath the cover and this time the Styrofoam is broken into multiple pieces.
May 17, 2026
Engine
My 2016 Kia Forte had a recall that was never performed and I was never told anything about the car fax or any recalls from where I got the car from, it needs a engine repair.
Aug 3, 2026
Engine
Car runs fine at lower speeds. When traveling over 50 mph for ten minutes or more, then decelerating or stopping in traffic or at a stop light it stalls. It cranks right back up after you put it neutral and turn the key. Weâve almost been rear ended twice since this started. The car has only been driven about 3000 miles a year over the past 7 years and only about 45 mph. It has been to two shops and hasnât been driven since May 15th.
May 5, 2026
Fuel/propulsion system
Vehicle won't intake gas. Cod P0451, P0456
Jul 6, 2026
Engine
Unknown it makes a ticking noise check engine light came on and oil isn't low. Recently bought it.
Jul 1, 2026
Engine
This Forte was not neglected and it was not abused. Nearly 90% of its miles came from highway commuting and interstate travel. It was completely stock, never modified, never driven hard. More importantly, it received fully synthetic oil changes every 3k-4k miles since new, well ahead of what Kia or the oil manufacturer even recommends, because I intended to keep this car long term. All of that is verifiable through Carfax. The engine failure came without meaningful warning. While driving, I noticed an unusual noise and pulled over as quickly as safely possible. I checked the dash expecting some kind of indicator and found nothing. No check engine light, no oil pressure warning. A nearby…
May 8, 2026

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.