2016 Kia Forte problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 137 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Kia Forte, filed between 2016-06-03 and 2026-08-31. The most common problem areas are the engine (68, 50%), electrical system (21, 15%) and power train (16, 12%). Owners reported 16 crashes, 6 fires and 13 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 1 recall for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2016 Kia Forte complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 68 | 50% | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 21 | 15% | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Power train | 16 | 12% | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Unknown or other | 15 | 11% | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 10% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 13 | 9% | 11 | 1 | 9 |
| Service brakes | 10 | 7% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 7% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 4% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 6 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 4% | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 4 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 2% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Engine: 68 complaints
- 68 complaints of 137 (50%) name the engine.
- 10 of them also name the power train; owners reported 2 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Kia Forte covers this system.
Electrical system: 21 complaints
- 21 complaints of 137 (15%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 8 of them also name the engine; owners reported 2 fires in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Kia Forte covers this system.
Power train: 16 complaints
- 16 complaints of 137 (12%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 10 of them also name the engine; owners reported 2 crashes and 2 fires in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Kia Forte covers this system.
Vehicle speed control: 14 complaints
- 14 complaints of 137 (10%) name the vehicle speed control — cruise control and accelerator/throttle control.
- 4 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Kia Forte covers this system.
Air bags: 13 complaints
- 13 complaints of 137 (9%) name the air bags — frontal, side and curtain air bags, their crash sensors and control module.
- 2 of them also name the structure; owners reported 11 crashes, 1 fire and 9 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Kia Forte covers this system.
Service brakes: 10 complaints
- 10 complaints of 137 (7%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 3 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Kia Forte covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 12 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names FORTE, FORTE KOUP, model year 2016. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2016 Kia Forte recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Forte?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2016 Kia Forte's most common problem areas are the engine (68 of 137 complaints), electrical system (21 of 137 complaints) and power train (16 of 137 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2016 Kia Forte have?
NHTSA has 137 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Kia Forte, including 16 reported crashes and 6 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Kia Forte's problems?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2016 Kia Forte; 0 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.