RoadVitals

2016 Kia Forte

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
137
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Aug 9, 2021
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
22
13 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 137 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Kia Forte, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and driver assistance categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 122 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
21V622000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH

Aug 9, 2021
253,074 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The 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.
Kia Motors AmericaManufacturer number SC216View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 137
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 4, 2026

Intermittently when turn signals is in use, headlights would completely go out or start flashing on and off.

NHTSA ID
11775561
Incident
Oct 26, 2026
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 3, 2026

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 STALK. SOMETIMES, IT FLICKERS/TURNS OFF NO MATTER WHAT & I HAVE TO SWITCH THE LIGHTS FROM AUTO TO HEADLIGHTS OR VICE-VERSA TO ENSURE HEADLIGHTS STAY ON. THIS ISSUE HAS EVEN HAPPENED WHEN I DIDN'T TOUCH THE STALK AT ALL & I WAS DRIVING ON A DARK, RURAL HIGHWAY. LIGHTS OUT! THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. PLEASE INVESTIGATE, THANK YOU. I plan on having this issue fixed ASAP at my expense, which I hope won't be too expensive. $$$

NHTSA ID
11768780
Incident
Oct 1, 2026
Engine
Filed Aug 31, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID
11760909
Incident
Aug 5, 2026
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 21, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID
11758465
Incident
May 17, 2026
Engine
Filed Aug 10, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID
11755914
Incident
Aug 3, 2026
Engine
Filed Jul 19, 2026

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. We’ve 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 hasn’t been driven since May 15th.

NHTSA ID
11751429
Incident
May 5, 2026
Fuel system
Filed Jul 13, 2026

Vehicle won't intake gas. Cod P0451, P0456

NHTSA ID
11750139
Incident
Jul 6, 2026
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 1, 2026

Unknown it makes a ticking noise check engine light came on and oil isn't low. Recently bought it.

NHTSA ID
11747849
Incident
Jul 1, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SC238_OWNR_501

SERVICE BRAKES

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC238 Flight #501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace brake line(s) in certain 2014-2017 MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently registered in states where heavy amounts of road salt are used. In addition, an anti-corrosion material will be applied to the underbody components for added protection.

CS2311_TSB_R4

STRUCTURE:BODY

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION: CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 20, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles that are not equipped with an immobilizer, a protective cover will be permanently affixed to the ignition cylinder. This Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector prevents the removal of the key lock cylinder thereby preventing access to the ignition tumbler.

CS2312_TSB_R2

STRUCTURE:BODY

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 20, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles, a protective cover will be permanently affixed to the ignition cylinder. This Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector prevents the removal of the key lock cylinder thereby preventing access to the ignition tumbler.

PI2105_OWNR_501

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2105 FLIGHT 501) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2016 MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit (“ECU”).

CS2311_OWNR_PC201

STRUCTURE:BODY

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. Kia has developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade and can be installed at the ignition cylinder location to provide additional protection against the social media theft method. Prior notifications stated that this modification had to be performed by July 1, 2025, but the subject vehicles are now eligible until March 31, 2027, to have the ignition cylinder protector installed—if requested—at no cost through an authorized Kia dealership. (Mailing of these notifications to vehicle owners will be completed from December 19, 2025 through December 31, 2025)

TSB_CS2312

STRUCTURE:BODY

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 19, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles, a protective cover will be permanently affixed to the ignition cylinder. This Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector prevents the removal of the key lock cylinder thereby preventing access to the ignition tumbler.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kia Forte by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024260050.5
2023663063.6
2022281053.5
2021692056.5
2020780051.0
20191502055.9
20181363057.3
20173053057.7
2016Viewing1371053.7
20152621257.7
20144443163.7
20131955567.5
20122934467.4
20111543369.6
20102213362.6
2009100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.