2016 Kia FORTE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
135 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
44,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 60 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 66 of 135 complaints (48.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 19 | 14.1% |
| Braking behavior | 17 | 12.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 8.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 3.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 66 |
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Power Train | 16 |
| Unknown Or Other | 15 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 |
| Air Bags | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 |
Engine: 66; Electrical System: 20; Power Train: 16; Unknown Or Other: 15; Vehicle Speed Control: 14; Air Bags: 13; Service Brakes: 10; Exterior Lighting: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 75 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 12 |
2016: 11; 2017: 7; 2018: 14; 2019: 20; 2020: 8; 2021: 14; 2022: 13; 2023: 14; 2024: 10; 2025: 12; 2026: 12
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 19 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10872288 · 2016-06-03 (June 3, 2016)
NOTICE MY LIGHTS WOULD GO ON & OFF ON DASH BOARD DURING G DAY TIMES THINKING CAR HAD DIMMING EFFECTS, THEN NOTICE WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF & LIGHTS SHOULD BE OFF THEY WOULD STAY ON. THEN I WOULD BE SITTING OUTSIDE LOOK AT CAR & LIGHTS WOULD JUST COME ON BY THEMSELVES. THE WORST I WAS TRYING & HEADLIGHTS & INSIDES LIGHTS WENT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND CONTINUE TO DO SO. I'M SCARED FOR ME AND MY FAMILY SAFETY. I DONT EVEN WANT THE CAR ANYMORE AND SOMETIMES SMELLS LIKE THERE'S ELECTRICAL BURNING OR SOMETHING DONT KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10872288 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10875650 · 2016-06-21 (June 21, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE TISSUE DAMAGE TO THE LEG, BACK, AND THIGHS ON BOTH SIDES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10875650 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10876374 · 2016-06-24 (June 24, 2016)
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW KIA FORTE 2016 ON 5/27/2016. SINCE DAY ONE, I'VE BEEN FACING A PROBLEM THAT I THINK IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT REGULAR SPEEDS, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES ACCELERATION AND EVEN IF I HIT THE GAS PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENS FOR 2-3 SECONDS AND AFTER 2-3 SECONDS, THE GAS PEDAL STARTS TO RESPOND. THIS HAS LANDED ME INTO PROBLEMS AT VARIOUS TIMES AND I ALMOST WENT TO AN ACCIDENT. 1. ONCE I WAS CHANGING LANES WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ACCELERATION OF THE CAR DROPPED AND I FELT CERTAIN THAT …
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10876374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10884639 · 2016-07-13 (July 13, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA FORTE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT HAD A DENT WHERE THE SENSOR WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE HAD A MOLD ODOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,674.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,674 miles reported. Look up ODI 10884639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10894766 · 2016-08-10 (August 10, 2016)
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE DASH BOARD WENT BLACK AND THE CAR POWERED COMPLETELY DOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10894766 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10899658 · 2016-08-30 (August 30, 2016)
FROM DAY ONE THAT I GOT MY CAR I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A HESITATION WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, YOU CAN PUSH THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL YOU ADVANCE THE PEDAL FURTHER AND THEN IT WANTS TO TAKE OFF LIKE YOU PUSHED IT TO THE FLOOR. IT WILL LOOSE POWER DURING DRIVING IF UNDER 45 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN IN TRAFFIC, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE TRYING TO CREEP WITH THE CAR IT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING WHEN YOU SOFTLY PUSH THE PEDAL, AND WILL TRY AND TAKE OFF WHEN YOU ADVANCE IT. ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CARE IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE OF THIS. THIS IS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10899658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10905091 · 2016-09-09 (September 9, 2016)
THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE AT TIMES AND WHEN IT DOES IT LURCHES AND HESITATES AS I AM DRIVING AND AIR CONDITIONER FAN GOES UP AND DOWN
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10905091 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10906732 · 2016-09-14 (September 14, 2016)
WHEN YOU PUSH GAS FEED IT HESITATES THEN YOU PUSH A LITTLE MORE IT GOES TO FAST. DRIVING IN TOWN TRAFFIC IS A PROBLEM YOU PUSH GAS FEED A LITTLE IT DOESN'T WANT TO GO GIVE A LITTLE MORE GAS AND IT GOES TO FAST. WENT BACK TO DEALER SHIP ONLY HAD THE CAR AROUND 2 MONTHS THEY PUT NEW THROTTLE BODY ON, STILL HAD SAME PROBLEM. WE TRADED THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ANOTHER KIA FORTE WHICH COST US ANOTHER 3 THOUSAND DOLLARS BECAUSE CAR WAS NOT SAFE . NOW THE NEW KIA FORTE IS DOING THE SAME THING
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10906732 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V622000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Latch
Reported: 2021-08-09 (August 9, 2021)
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."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗