2016 Kia FORTE
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Kia FORTE has 195 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (32% of all complaints), specifically: while driving 50 mph the dash board went black and the car powered completely down.. ⚠️ 10 fire reports filed.
195
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
2.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ENGINE
63 complaints- • WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE DASH BOARD WENT BLACK AND THE CAR POWERED COMPLETELY DOWN.
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA FORTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE MATS ON THE FLOOR BEGAN TO SMOKE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE SUN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED FREQUENTLY REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED SHE WAS TRAVELING. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD CONCERNS WITH THE TRANSMISSION B
- • I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IT STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEN IT TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND IT NEVER TURNED ON AGAIN. I HAD TO TOW IT.
“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE DASH BOARD WENT BLACK AND THE CAR POWERED COMPLETELY DOWN.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
20 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA FORTE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT HAD A DENT WHERE THE SENSOR WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA
- • WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE DASH BOARD WENT BLACK AND THE CAR POWERED COMPLETELY DOWN.
- • BRAKE LIGHTS STOP WORKING TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX THE BRAKE SWITCH BUT I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BULBS AND THE RELAY AND ALSO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL TUESDAY FOR THE RELAY. WHAT'S THE POINT OF PAYING FOR A WARRANTY
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA FORTE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT HAD A DENT WHERE THE SENSOR WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
16 complaints- • I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW KIA FORTE 2016 ON 5/27/2016. SINCE DAY ONE, I'VE BEEN FACING A PROBLEM THAT I THINK IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT REGULAR SPEEDS, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES ACCELERATION AND EVEN IF I HIT THE GAS PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENS FOR 2-3 SECONDS AND AFTER 2-3 SECONDS, THE G
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA FORTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE MATS ON THE FLOOR BEGAN TO SMOKE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE SUN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED FREQUENTLY REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED SHE WAS TRAVELING. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD CONCERNS WITH THE TRANSMISSION B
- • THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN DRIVING IN TOWN , IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE AFTER IDLING SUCH AS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT.
“I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW KIA FORTE 2016 ON 5/27/2016. SINCE DAY ONE, I'VE BEEN FACING A PROBLEM THAT I THINK IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT REGULAR SPEEDS, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES ACCELERATION AND EVEN IF I HIT THE GAS PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENS FOR 2-3 SECONDS AND AFTER 2-3 SECONDS, THE G”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SPEED CONTROL
14 complaints- • I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW KIA FORTE 2016 ON 5/27/2016. SINCE DAY ONE, I'VE BEEN FACING A PROBLEM THAT I THINK IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT REGULAR SPEEDS, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES ACCELERATION AND EVEN IF I HIT THE GAS PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENS FOR 2-3 SECONDS AND AFTER 2-3 SECONDS, THE G
- • THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE AT TIMES AND WHEN IT DOES IT LURCHES AND HESITATES AS I AM DRIVING AND AIR CONDITIONER FAN GOES UP AND DOWN
- • WHEN YOU PUSH GAS FEED IT HESITATES THEN YOU PUSH A LITTLE MORE IT GOES TO FAST. DRIVING IN TOWN TRAFFIC IS A PROBLEM YOU PUSH GAS FEED A LITTLE IT DOESN'T WANT TO GO GIVE A LITTLE MORE GAS AND IT GOES TO FAST. WENT BACK TO DEALER SHIP ONLY HAD THE CAR AROUND 2 MONTHS THEY PUT NEW THROTTLE BODY ON,
“I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW KIA FORTE 2016 ON 5/27/2016. SINCE DAY ONE, I'VE BEEN FACING A PROBLEM THAT I THINK IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT REGULAR SPEEDS, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES ACCELERATION AND EVEN IF I HIT THE GAS PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENS FOR 2-3 SECONDS AND AFTER 2-3 SECONDS, THE G”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
14 complaints- • FROM DAY ONE THAT I GOT MY CAR I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A HESITATION WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, YOU CAN PUSH THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL YOU ADVANCE THE PEDAL FURTHER AND THEN IT WANTS TO TAKE OFF LIKE YOU PUSHED IT TO THE FLOOR. IT WILL LOOSE POWER DURING DRIVING IF UNDER 45 MILES PER HO
- • MY CAR JUST CUT OFF WHEN I GOT TO THE LIGHT AND WOULDN'T START BACK UP.
- • DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR AND ALL OF SUDDEN CAR LOST POWER AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP. WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION!!!
“FROM DAY ONE THAT I GOT MY CAR I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A HESITATION WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, YOU CAN PUSH THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL YOU ADVANCE THE PEDAL FURTHER AND THEN IT WANTS TO TAKE OFF LIKE YOU PUSHED IT TO THE FLOOR. IT WILL LOOSE POWER DURING DRIVING IF UNDER 45 MILES PER HO”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 195 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE DASH BOARD WENT BLACK AND THE CAR POWERED COMPLETELY DOWN.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA FORTE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT HAD A DENT WHERE THE SENSOR WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW KIA FORTE 2016 ON 5/27/2016. SINCE DAY ONE, I'VE BEEN FACING A PROBLEM THAT I THINK IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT REGULAR SPEEDS, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES ACCELERATION AND EVEN IF I HIT THE GAS PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENS FOR 2-3 SECONDS AND AFTER 2-3 SECONDS, THE G
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW KIA FORTE 2016 ON 5/27/2016. SINCE DAY ONE, I'VE BEEN FACING A PROBLEM THAT I THINK IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT REGULAR SPEEDS, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES ACCELERATION AND EVEN IF I HIT THE GAS PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENS FOR 2-3 SECONDS AND AFTER 2-3 SECONDS, THE G
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Kia FORTE — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 195
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 10
- Crash reports
- 18
- Injury reports
- 13
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Kia FORTE