2016 Kia Forte Safety Report
2016 KIA FORTE Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Kia Forte
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Kia Forte. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (128) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 22 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Kia Forte with 63 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Kia Forte before buying across this generation. |
Kia Forte Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Forte years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Kia Forte | 295 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Kia Forte | 254 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Kia Forte | 133 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Kia Forte | 138 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Kia Forte | 63 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Kia Forte | 64 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Kia Forte Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Kia Forte, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
39 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyAir Bags
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyExterior Lighting
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Kia onlyPower Train,Engine
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Kia onlyElectrical System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Kia Forte
Reliability Score
The 2016 Kia Forte receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Kia Forte
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Kia Forte
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Kia Forte:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Failure Reports of engine failure and loss of power at around 40-45 mph, with some cases of the engine completely failing on a highway. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Issues Frequent reports of headlight failures and other electrical system malfunctions, including multi-function switch failures. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Problems Some drivers reported gear shifting issues, with the car jumping and speed stalling. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Brake Malfunction A serious safety concern with brake failure, leading to near-accidents and requiring immediate attention. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Kia Forte:
Issues with the engine, including loss of power and rough starts, are common.
Frequent electrical failures, particularly with the headlight system.
Gear shifting issues and transmission problems are reported.
Brake malfunctions are a critical safety concern.
Recall Details for the 2016 Kia Forte
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2016 Kia Forte by NHTSA:
Summary: 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 Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Kia Forte
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Kia Forte with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 complaints involved crashes. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
While driving on I-95 at 60mph the car began to jump as it attempted to shift gears and the speed stalled to where it slowed down to 20mph and would not go any faster. The car slowed while I was in the fast lanes of the highway and I had to work my way to the right to the slower lanes to avoid abusing traffic congestion or any accidents. It was scary. Separately, my engine light has been on for th...
Point 1)CVVT pin was sheared off. Not available for inspection, was replaced and discarded by KIA. Point 2)The vehicle had a rough start and stalled out while stopping. Had to have the car towed to the dealership. Point 3) UNKNOWN Point 4) No Point 5) The Check Engine Light would come on and off randomly. Code P0017 & P0016 would come up as pending when the engine light was on.
I am filing a formal complaint regarding serious safety and mechanical problems with my vehicle. The brakes do not function properly and I have to add brake fluid every few days, which indicates a possible leak or brake system failure. This creates an extremely dangerous driving condition. The vehicle also has electrical problems, including malfunctioning lights. The engine has lost power, making ...
Headlights shut off entirely multiple times when switching to high beams on dark road, almost causing an accident. Multi-function switch failing the exact way the Sorento switches are failing, confirmed by mechanic. This is a severe hazard when driving at night. There was no warning whatsoever.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed and then stalled. The contact stated that the "Battery" symbol was illuminated on the instrument cluster. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagn...
The fuel input is not working properly. Will not allow fuel to go into fuel tank. Risk of fuel spilling and fire hazard.
I own a 2016 Kia Forte LX and have been experiencing repeated and dangerous electrical failures with the headlight and lighting system. When I turn on the headlights, they sometimes do not come on at all, or they shut off unexpectedly while driving. In some cases, using the turn signal causes the headlights to cut out completely. The interior dash lights flicker between dim and bright, and the tai...
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while decelerating due to traffic, the vehicle was struck in the rear end and pushed approximately a few feet, causing the vehicle's front end to crash into the rear of the vehicle in front. No warning lights illuminated. No air bags deployed. The contact stated that due to the impact of the crash, she had fallen unconscious. A police rep...
I purchased the 2016 Kia Forte on [XXX] from Bald Hill Kia in Warwick, RI. Within the first 30 days, there was a knocking noise which turned out to be the knocking sensor. I took the car to be checked on 11/1/2022 and paid to replace the knock sensor. On [XXX], the knock sensor acted up again so the knock sensor had to be replaced again. They also found a small evap leak and the charcoal canister ...
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal to merge onto the highway, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 15 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an auto parts store, where it was scanned, and DTC: P1326; was retrieved. The co...
1. NHTSA Safety Complaint Draft Vehicle Info: Make: Kia Model: Forte5 SX Year: 2016 VIN: [XXX] Engine: 1.6L GDI (G4FJ Nu engine) Issue: This vehicle uses the 1.6L GDI Nu engine (engine code G4FJ), which is the same engine involved in Kia’s engine defect recalls and class action settlements related to connecting rod bearing failure and engine seizure risks. However, Kia is refusing to provide th...
While driving my 2016 Kia Forte with my [XXX] daughter in the car, the engine began making loud knocking noises and quickly deteriorated until it became unsafe and undriveable. This failure occurred without warning lights, oil pressure issues, or prior symptoms. We were nearly stranded in an unsafe location and had to immediately pull over and arrange alternate transportation. I later learned th...
While driving our 2016 Kia forte 5 the engine completely failed and lost all power while on a busy highway. The engine in this vehicle was not part of the original 2016 Forte Recalls for the same issue and is not part of any current recalls for the same issue. It could have led to very severe injuries or even death due to the failure and complete loss of engine power only. Battery power remained o...
We have a 2016 Kia Forte 5 that did not meet the criteria when the other 2016 Kia Forte's were recalled due to engine failure as it has a 2.0L engine. On or about [XXX], while driving this vehicle, the car lost all power and came to a stop on a busy highway. It still had electrical power, but failed to accelerate and we lost the ability to steer or control the car. We were able to get it off the r...
In December after getting letter in the mail saying I needed an upgrade to my car's knock sensor I took it to a Kia dealership. I received word from the dealership that my car had suffered a lower crank shaft failure and would need to be replaced. The dealership told me that this was a known issue and gave me a number to call to file a claim. After months of trying to get follow-up from the Kia c...
I had diagnostic ran because of a knocking sound and stalling and the oil pressure warning light. I was informed by the technician that the oil pressure was extremely low. Upon further inspection they found metal shards in the oil filter blocking oil flow. They told me this is a known defect and that Kia should be responsible. Contacted Kia and they said it’s not covered. It has 98,289 miles
We used to have a 2016 Kia Forte5 LX hatchback we been having problems with this vehicle the car would stall and it was having electrical problems like my turn signals not working even when the bulbs were replaced and same thing to the brake lights prior after I noticed the problem with the car was going to take it in to get ot looked at and serviced when exiting my home with the car and turning l...
When driving slow speeds such as driving through a parking lot my car stalls the radio plays without interruption and would not know it stalls except for the oil pan light and unable to accelerate because the car stalled all the leads me to believe the engine is at fault. When stalled at that point I pull over turn the key off then on starting the car back up (immediately starts without issue). I...
In December 2023 the dashboard ABS, ESC and Brake Dashboard warning lights came on the car while driving. I checked for any ABS codes and noted a C2374 code. The car did not show any handling issues and I attributed it to a anomaly. However over 2024 the lights have come back on but they disapear when the car is turned off and then restarted. As this is happening frequently during the past 3 month...
VEHICLE ISSUED DTC'S P1326 AND CAR FAILED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY EXPRESSWAY
Showing 20 of 128 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Kia Forte
Has the 2016 KIA FORTE been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 KIA FORTE has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 KIA FORTE have?
The 2016 KIA FORTE has 128 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 16 involved crashes. 13 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 KIA FORTE?
The 2016 KIA FORTE does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 KIA FORTE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 KIA FORTE involve engine (39 complaints), air bags (10 complaints), unknown or other (7 complaints). Other affected components include exterior lighting, power train,engine, electrical system.
How many crash reports does the 2016 KIA FORTE have?
There are 16 crash reports associated with the 2016 KIA FORTE out of 128 total complaints (12.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 KIA FORTE have?
There are 6 fire reports for the 2016 KIA FORTE out of 128 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 KIA FORTE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 KIA FORTE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 KIA FORTE?
13 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 KIA FORTE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 KIA FORTE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 KIA FORTE is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 128 complaints, 1 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 KIA FORTE?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 KIA FORTE are: 1. ENGINE (39 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (10 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7 complaints), 4. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (6 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (4 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 39 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 KIA FORTE?
Be cautious of engine and electrical system issues, as they pose significant safety risks. Consider a thorough inspection before purchasing. The 2016 KIA FORTE has 128 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2016 KIA FORTE?
The 2016 KIA FORTE receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 128 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 22 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Failure and Electrical System Issues.
What are the known issues with the 2016 KIA FORTE?
Known issues with the 2016 KIA FORTE include: Engine Failure, Electrical System Issues, Transmission Problems, Brake Malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 128 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common safety issues with the 2016 KIA Forte?
Engine failures, electrical system malfunctions, and transmission problems are the most common issues.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 KIA Forte?
Yes, there are recalls for engine issues, but check if your specific model is included.
What should I do if I experience electrical system failures?
Seek immediate professional assistance to diagnose and repair the issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine and electrical system issues, as they pose significant safety risks. Consider a thorough inspection before purchasing.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Kia Forte
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Kia Forte. The data includes 128 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 16 reported crashes, 6 fire incidents, 13 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16