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EnginePart report

2016 Kia Forte Engine Problems

Complaints
66about this part
Share
49%of 136 total for the year
Median mileage
67,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 66 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Kia Forte, 49% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“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

“Driving the car smelled a gas smell, then later a burning smell, then the car stalled, cranked it again it stalled again. Was smoking under the hood. Had just had this car oil change and multipoint inspection they stated the car was fine. Today they tell me it's engine failure. We were driving when the car stalled.”

NHTSA complaint #11384216, filed 2020-12, 105,000 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

“I purchased my 2016 Kia Forte in march 2017 used and since then I've been having suspension problems. May 2017 I had 3 alignments and I constantly been getting alignments and replacing my brakes and tires. August 2020 my car started to cut off while I was driving and accelerate when I tried to stop. My check engine code an ignition coils problem so I did a full tune-up and oil change in september. But it didnt fix the problem so after that my car code an intake failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #11385722, filed 2020-12, 118,167 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

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024831%
2023914%
2022414%
20212232%
20202026%
20193825%
20185742%
201714548%
20166649%
201515861%
201421649%
201310755%
201216155%
20114529%
20107433%

Other parts of the 2016 Kia Forte

Electrical system
22 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 27, 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