2016 Kia Forte Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 12%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,310miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Kia Forte, 12% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,310 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 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 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“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 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 gas pedal starts to respond. This has landed me into problems at various times and I almost went to an accident. 1. …”
NHTSA complaint #10876374, filed 2016-06, 100 miles“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. Kia took over six months to respond to me with there ridiculous answer which was your car operates as it should . …”
NHTSA complaint #11217756, filed 2019-06, 10,000 miles“While driving my vehicle loses power while going above 65 MPH and shutters when losing power. It also burns 1/2 quart of oil per week while driving or in use. Also when refilling oil there is a white substance on the dipstick when checking the oil levels. When it loses power while in motion the electronics dim or flicker. This have been on going for about 3 weeks now. This is an apparent engine failure like other Forte's.”
NHTSA complaint #11193384, filed 2019-04, 75,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10200551Aug 24, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 7-SPEED DCT JUDDER INSPECTION AND DUAL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised…
- 10174520Apr 24, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating…
- 10169700Dec 4, 2019TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DCT ACTUATOR ROD LENGTH ADJUSTMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to adjust the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) actuator rod lengths using the…
- 10130104Feb 16, 2018TSB - DRIVESHAFT SERVICEABILITY - This bulletin has been revised most recently to include additional information. This bulletin provides information regarding axle shaft…
- 10089382Aug 3, 2015Tsb: 6-spd. A/t adaptive value reset /relearn - this bulletin provides the procedures necessary to reset and relearn the adaptive values after transmission replacement or…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 15% |
| 2023 | 8 | 12% |
| 2022 | 2 | 7% |
| 2021 | 7 | 10% |
| 2020 | 16 | 21% |
| 2019 | 48 | 32% |
| 2018 | 8 | 6% |
| 2017 | 12 | 4% |
| 2016 | 16 | 12% |
| 2015 | 17 | 6% |
| 2014 | 18 | 4% |
| 2013 | 10 | 5% |
| 2012 | 11 | 4% |
| 2011 | 18 | 12% |
| 2010 | 23 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2016 Kia Forte
66 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsOther or unknown
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 30, 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