2016 Kia Forte problems
Owners have filed 205 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Forte. Engine is the most reported problem area, at 33% of complaints. Next are electrical system (11%) and drivetrain & axles (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 205 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 33% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 20 and 13
- Injuries and deaths
- 13 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 37,000 miles 91 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 31 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 18 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 15 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 11 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 9 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 91 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 37,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 64,000 miles (26 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 20 complaints mention a crash; 13 complaints mention a fire; 13 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2016 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 15 model years of the Kia Forte with enough data (121 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY ROUTE 50 WHEN SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE FROM THE AC VENTS. I TRIED TO PRESS THE BRAKES BUT THEY FAILED. THEN THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE FRONT AND BACK, THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO FAIL, I JUMPED FROM THE VEHICLE ON GOING 40MPH, THEN THE CAR EXPLODED. Consumer contacted the dealer and has obtained a case # [XXX] and paid invoice # [xxx]. ”
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 kia forte. The contact called on behalf of his wife the driver and stated that while she was driving trough an intersection a second vehicle t- boned the driver side door of the vehicle. During the crash no air bags in the vehicle deployed. The driver sustained a left hip injury which required medical treatment. The contact stated a 1 year old was fastened in car seat on the rear passenger side sustained a minor head injury which also required medical treatment.
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle caught fire. The vehicle was burning an excessive amount of oil and fuel. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. While his wife was driving, the vehicle was making abnormal engine noises. The contact stated he sustained emotional distress and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to an independent towing lot. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire.
I was involved in a fairly serious front end collision and the airbags did not deploy. The impact was at the right front frame rail and corner. The impact was enough to push a full sized chevrolet pick up sideways approx. 6 feet. I was traveling at approx 35-40 MPH in a straight line when the truck pulled out straight across the road in front of me causing me to collide with it broadside at the trucks left front wheel area.
While I was driving I lost power and the car would hardly move. I had to get it towed to the kia dealer. The tow truck driver informed me that his broy=ther had the same car and this happened to him also. He than told me there was a defect in the engine and since it is still under warranty the engine is cover. He also stated that after the 5 year warranty there will be a recall. This put me at some ease but I knew it was only here say. The dealer said it was my fault since I did not properly maintain it.