YearToAvoid

2016 Kia Forte Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 77 engine complaints for the 2016 Kia Forte, 57% of all 135 complaints filed for this model year, with a median failure mileage of 57,000. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
77
57% of 135
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
57,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the engine stalling unexpectedly at various speeds, sometimes paired with erratic transmission behavior.
  • Several owners describe engine fires starting while driving or while parked, including one case where floor mats began smoking in the sun.
  • Some owners report hesitation or lurching on acceleration, where light throttle input produces no response followed by a sudden surge.
  • Owners describe abnormal engine noises, including loud ticking after routine oil changes, sometimes attributed by service staff to a known defect.
  • Some report the vehicle burning excessive oil and fuel accompanied by unusual engine noise before a fire occurred.
  • Electrical failures overlap with engine complaints, including complete power loss while driving and non-functioning turn signals or brake lights.

When 2016 Kia Forte engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 24, 2016, latest Aug 31, 2026.

2016 Kia Forte engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter52016 Q22018 Q32019 Q42021 Q42023 Q22024 Q32025 Q4
77 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q3 (5).

Engine recalls for the 2016 Kia Forte

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Forte model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201085 (39%)
  2. 201157 (37%)
  3. 2012170 (58%)
  4. 2013111 (57%)
  5. 2014226 (51%)
  6. 2015163 (63%)
  7. 201677 (57%)
  8. 2017163 (54%)
  9. 201869 (51%)
  10. 201945 (31%)
  11. 202025 (33%)
  12. 202123 (34%)
  13. 20227 (26%)
  14. 202311 (18%)
  15. 20247 (28%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2016 Kia Forte?
NHTSA lists 77 engine complaints for the 2016 Forte, which is 57% of the 135 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Kia Forte engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine issue on the 2016 Kia Forte.
At what mileage do 2016 Kia Forte engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 57,000 miles.
Are engine problems worse in 2016 than other Forte years?
The 57% share of complaints tied to the engine in 2016 is similar to 2013 (57%) and 2017 (54%), but lower than 2015 (63%) and higher than newer years like 2019 (31%) and 2022 (26%).
Have engine fires been reported in the 2016 Kia Forte?
Yes, NHTSA data shows 4 fire incidents and 3 injuries among the complaints filed for this model year.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.