2016 Kia Forte Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2016 Kia Forte most often describe engine-related problems: sudden power loss, stalling at speed, knocking noises and, in several cases, oil consumption that led to an engine replacement. Many of these complaints come in between roughly 36,000 and 120,000 miles and frequently mention that a dealer diagnosed connecting rod bearing failure or applied a knock-sensor-related software campaign. A second, smaller cluster of complaints concerns the throttle response and headlights/electrical flicker, often reported at low mileage.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine stalls or loses power, then needs replacement

   • 43 complaints (32%)
   • median 63,632 mi at 4.5 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the engine cutting out without much warning — while merging, at highway speed, or when pulling away from a light — leaving the car unable to accelerate, and sometimes the power steering and dashboard lights going with it. Some report a knocking or rattling noise from under the hood beforehand, or metal debris found at an oil change. Complaints describe dealers diagnosing connecting rod bearing failure and replacing the engine, while others say a repair was declined because of mileage, maintenance records or ownership status. Scattered from under 5,000 to about 150,000 miles, with many reports between roughly 40,000 and 120,000 miles.

   8 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the knock sensor detection software campaign (PI2105) was applied, and have a pre-purchase inspection check for oil consumption and any lower-engine noise. Pull the dipstick and check for a fuel smell or metallic debris.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My oil keeps on burning fast .. I had to get oil test from Kia dealer but they didn't find anything wrong with the engine and no leakage. Couple months later my engine is burning my oil fast before even oil change. This is not normal. The motor will make a cluster sound while at the stop sign. Uncomfortable sound all of the sounded.”

   NHTSA complaint #11389328, filed 2021-01, 112,234 miles

   “When driving in motion my 2016 Forte the car stalls out. The power steering, breaks and dashboard do not work. This has caused me to lose control of the vehicle and the front end of my car went into a pond. This car stalling out before the incident has happened more than 5 times; I have taken the car into two different Kia dealerships aren't able to fix the problem or detect it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11299954, filed 2020-01, 55,180 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a crash

   • 12 complaints (9%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe front, side and T-bone collisions — several at moderate speed with substantial body damage — in which none of the airbags inflated, and some report injuries to occupants. In a few complaints the airbag or seat-belt warning light was noticed, but most say there was no warning at all before the crash. Reported across a wide mileage range, from around 1,500 to about 118,000 miles.

   What to check: Have a shop confirm the airbag system self-test passes and that no airbag or seat-belt warning light stays on. This is a vehicle-specific inspection, not a generic check.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driver ran red light at high speed and t boned me at intersection of 83rd cottage grove (chicago). Accident ripped my entire front end off my car and spinner my an entire 360 degrees and not one of my airbags deployed. I also have 2 videos that can detail the rate of speed at impact from a neighboring establishment.”

   NHTSA complaint #11173477, filed 2019-02, 55,000 miles

   “I was involved in a fairly serious front end collision and the airbags did not deploy. The impact was at the right front frame rail and corner. The impact was enough to push a full sized chevrolet pick up sideways approx. 6 feet. I was traveling at approx 35-40 MPH in a straight line when the truck pulled out straight across the road in front of me causing me to collide with it broadside at the trucks left front wheel area.”

   NHTSA complaint #11046922, filed 2017-11, 60,000 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Hesitation and poor throttle response

   • 7 complaints (5%)
   • median 1,500 mi at 0.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2025

   Owners describe a delay of a second or more after pressing the accelerator, most noticeable between roughly 10 and 50 mph, followed by a lurch or sudden surge once the car responds. Some say it happens when pulling away from a stop or a traffic light; others report the reverse, with the car accelerating on its own at highway speed. Complaints mention dealers replacing the throttle body or adding fuel additives without lasting improvement. Often reported at very low mileage, sometimes within the first few hundred to 2,000 miles, and typically in city or stop-and-go driving.

   What to check: During a test drive, try a few rolling stops and light acceleration from a standstill to feel for a delay or surge, and ask whether the throttle body or related software has been worked on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My Kia Forte has a hesitation in acceleration from any speed below 50mph. It is especially bad between 10mph and 35mph. It takes the car between .5 and 1.5 seconds to respond to a press down on the accelerator pedal. This has come close to causing me to have an accident on a few occasions when the car just would not go when commanded to do so. I have had it looked at three times by two different Kia dealers and one time with a Kia field service rep. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11217756, filed 2019-06, 10,000 miles

   “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, still had same problem. We traded the car back to the dealership for another Kia Forte which cost us another 3 thousand dollars because car was not safe . Now the new Kia Forte is doing the same thing”

   NHTSA complaint #10906732, filed 2016-09, 1,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Excessive oil consumption

   • 11 complaints (8%)
   • median 89,100 mi at 4.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe burning oil well before the next scheduled change, sometimes about half a quart a week, with a low-oil message appearing and a white residue noted on the dipstick. Some say the dealer's oil consumption test found no leak and no issue, while the oil level kept dropping afterward. Reported from about 55,000 to 112,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and note whether it is low, look for a fuel or burnt smell on the dipstick, and ask whether an oil consumption test has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My headlights blank on and off like a christmas tree. I put them on auto or the running lights and they do the same things. The dashboard lights do the same things inside the car. It also happen when I turn my turn signal on or put my car on bright or dim them.”

   NHTSA complaint #11555515, filed 2023-11

   “Vehicle is having same symptoms as recalled Kia’s with Nu engine. My engine is consuming oil. I brought it to Kia dealership to have it diagnost and piston rings are not working as they should. This will lead to engine failure. This problem is what is occurring on the recalled Kia’s. I have not had the vehicle for long & am very disappointed in what is going on. I want something done & to have this reported for the other Kia’s who are experiencing the symptoms that don’t have their VIN called. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11597050, filed 2024-06

Buying note. On this model year, focus the inspection on the engine: check oil level and consumption history, listen for lower-engine knocking, and confirm whether the knock sensor software campaign and any engine work were completed. Also verify the airbag system self-test and the lights behave correctly on a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.