Intermittently when turn signals is in use, headlights would completely go out or start flashing on and off.
The worst 2016 Kia Forte problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine67
- Electrical23
- Transmission16
- Acceleration14
- Airbags13
- Lights11
- Brakes10
- Fuel system7
- Driver assistance6
- Wheels6
- Body5
- Steering5
- Suspension3
- Visibility2
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Kia Forte
Knocking 18Engine failure 17Stalling 16Check engine light 15Headlights 14Loss of power 13Warning lights 7No deployment 5Fire or smoke 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2016 Kia Forte mention
P1326 2
Recalls 1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: latch
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 21V622000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Kia Forte 122
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Voluntary service campaign: owner renotification (SC238
- Customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition: cylinder protector & decal installation (CS2311)
- Customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (CS2312)
- Owner renotification (PI2105 flight 501)
- Postcard owner renotification (CS2311)
- Customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (CS2312)
- Owner notification (CS2312)
- Pitstop: technical operations: external damage to ultrasonic sensor
- Owner renotification (PI2105)
- Transmission fluid application guide
2016 Kia Forte fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | FWD | 25-26 | 36-37 | 29-30 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 24-25 | 33-35 | 27-28 |
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-22 | 28-29 | 24-25 |
What 2016 Kia Forte owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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. $$$
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.
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.
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.
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.
Vehicle won't intake gas. Cod P0451, P0456
Unknown it makes a ticking noise check engine light came on and oil isn't low. Recently bought it.
This Forte was not neglected and it was not abused. Nearly 90% of its miles came from highway commuting and interstate travel. It was completely stock, never modified, never driven hard. More importantly, it received fully synthetic oil changes every 3k-4k miles since new, well ahead of what Kia or the oil manufacturer even recommends, because I intended to keep this car long term. All of that is verifiable through Carfax. The engine failure came without meaningful warning. While driving, I noticed an unusual noise and pulled over as quickly as safely possible. I checked the dash expecting some kind of indicator and found nothing. No check engine light, no oil pressure warning. A nearby mechanic found the engine more than 2.5 quarts low on oil despite the vehicle being only about 3,300 miles into a fresh synthetic oil change. There were no external leaks. No oil spots at home, none at work. Nothing to explain where that oil went. After topping it off, the noise briefly stopped. With no warning lights on and the noise stopped, I thought we had caught it in time. I even felt confident enough to also have the mechanic change the transmission fluid as it was about due again. However, a few miles later, the engine suffered complete failure. Violent shaking, severe knock, then the check engine light came on. I shut it down immediately and pushed it home. Once home, I checked the oil again and found it had unusually darkened in an extremely short period of time. The vehicle has not been driven since and is currently inoperable. What troubles me most, beyond the financial loss, is that this vehicle gave me no real opportunity to save it. The oil pressure warning light never illuminated. More than two quarts of oil vanished within a single service interval with no external source and no indication whatsoever, even with checking the level periodically. I went above and beyond in maintaining this vehicle and still lost the engine. This could have been a catastrophe on the road
This is a paint issue.
Compare the 2016 Kia Forte
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Other model years
2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
Questions about the 2016 Kia Forte
Is the 2016 Kia Forte reliable?
Owners have filed 137 complaints about the 2016 Kia Forte, close to a typical Forte model year.
What is the 2016 Kia Forte year score?
The 2016 Kia Forte scores 76 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Kia Forte: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Kia Forte?
Engine and cooling, with 67 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles. Next is electrical (23).
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Forte have?
1 recall, covering latches/locks/linkages.
What year does the Kia Forte have bad engine?
The Kia Forte model years with the most engine complaints are 2014 (220 complaints), 2012 (167 complaints) and 2015 (164 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Forte get?
Official estimates for the 2016 Kia Forte range from 24 to 30 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 25-26 city and 36-37 highway.
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