Verdict
2016 Kia Forte: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2016 Kia Forte — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most sedan.
Owners filed 132 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 70% of 2016 sedans. Engine leads the reports (31%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2016 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
132
Reports to NHTSA, 2016
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
29
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 70% of 2016 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2016 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Engine issues lead owner complaints (31% of 132 reports), followed by electrical system (12%).
+ 9 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 132 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11619374, ODI 11740160, ODI 11712704, ODI 11690736, ODI 11678419.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Latches/Locks/LinkagesSep 2021 · 21V622000Details +Close −
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.
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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2016 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2016 Kia Forte 5 HB FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte | 1.8L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 26 | 37 | 30 |
| Forte | 1.8L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 25 | 36 | 29 |
| Forte | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 24 | 35 | 28 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2016 Kia Forte: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2016 Kia Forte?
Owners filed 132 NHTSA complaints about the 2016 Kia Forte — more complaints than 70% of comparable 2016 sedans, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2016 Kia Forte?
The most-reported problem areas are Engine (31% of complaints) and electrical system (12%).
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Forte have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2016 Kia Forte, covering components such as latches/locks/linkages. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Forte get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Kia Forte between 28 and 30 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.