AI Damage2016 KIA Forte: common problems
Owners of the 2016 KIA Forte filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 107 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 107
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 50% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 25% of all complaints
- Engine: 2 complaints (50% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 34.
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 11 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 34 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,741 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 17% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Forte has 96 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 4, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN
OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made…
- 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…
- PITSTOP
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver…
- PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN
OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2105) - 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…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - 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…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - 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…
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN
SALT-STATE: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC238) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia conducting Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace brake line(s) in certain 2014-2017 MY…
NHTSA lists 107 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 KIA Forte?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: engine failure or replacement (25%), headlights and tail lights (25%), windows, sunroof (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 KIA Forte?
NHTSA lists 107 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 KIA Forte from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.