Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2016 Kia Forte Electrical system Problems

Complaints
22about this part
Share
16%of 136 total for the year
Median mileage
29,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Kia Forte, 16% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“When driving my car, my headlights are flickering/cutting off and on. I ve talked to Kia motors several times and have taken my vehicle back to the service dept at the dealership 3 times but the problem is not resolved. I know this is a safety issue and im afraid to drive my car at night. Please help me resolve this issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11120726, filed 2018-08, 37,000 miles

“Kia Forte 2016 - while driving the engine shuts off and it loses power steering breaks, this has happened many times. Stopped at a red light, starting the car, driving 10 MPH, 50mph, 35 MPH. I have had to use the emergency break to stop. The car is still in drive, the key is turned on, the dashboard goes out, but the radio and clock stay on. I have taken it to 2 Kia dealerships 4 times total and the issues continue. Not safe to drive.”

NHTSA complaint #11221479, filed 2019-06, 44,500 miles

“The Kia Forte caught fire as my husband was driving down the interstate (the car was in motion). We had only had the car for just over a year. I am unsure what caused the fire however, the insurance reviewer advise that the fire started in the engine. My husband barley made it out of the car before the inside was completely engulfed in flames. The car was a complete loss it was hardly recognizable once the fire department was able to get the fire out.”

NHTSA complaint #11141847, filed 2018-10, 28,000 miles

“Most recently I was driving on a rural highway when the engine stopped for no reason...I lost the ability to steer, all electrical dash lights were malfunctioning, I turned the key to an off position and waited...after a minute I was able to start the car.”

NHTSA complaint #10947874, filed 2017-01, 5,000 miles

“I went hunting and went to go back to my car at the end of the evening. My car was parked on a grass lane by a woods with the key out of the egnition. When I got to the car it was dark so I did not notice anything at first, but when I went to unlock my door and my keyless entry would not work. But my buddy noticed that my lights flashed as if it was working. I used my key to open my driver side door and was hit by a cloud of smoke. My whole door panel was melted along the speaker and half of the door. The fire was out by the time I arrived. …”

NHTSA complaint #11113694, filed 2018-07, 50,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024623%
20231117%
2022311%
2021812%
20201114%
20192315%
20181612%
20174715%
20162216%
20152911%
20145713%
20132513%
20123211%
20111610%
2010199%

Other parts of the 2016 Kia Forte

Engine
66 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Kia Forte

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology