2016 Kia Forte problems
The Kia Forte, known as the K3 in Asia, the Forte K3 or Shuma in China and Cerato in South America, Australia, New Zealand and Russia, is a compact car manufactured by South Korean automaker Kia since mid-2008, replacing the Kia Spectra. It is available in two-door coupe, four-door sedan, five-door hatchback variants. It is not available in Europe, where the similar sized Kia Ceed is offered (except for Russia and Ukraine, where the Ceed and the Forte are both available).
In some markets, such as Costa Rica, Australia and Brazil, the Forte is marketed as Kia Cerato, replacing its predecessor of the same name. In Colombia and Singapore, the name Cerato Forte was used for the second generation, while Naza Automotive Manufacturing of Malaysia has assembled the vehicle since 2009, selling it there under the name Naza Forte.
First generation (TD; 2008)
The first generation Forte was introduced in 2008. In North America, the Forte replaced the Kia Spectra, while the Forte retained the Cerato name in numerous markets. It shares the same platform as the Hyundai Avante/Elantra (HD), though employing a torsion-beam rear suspension in place of the Elantra's multilink design. Kia has stated that the Forte was specifically designed to target younger buyers attracted to sharper auto designs.
Succeeding the first generation Cerato or second generation Spectra, several elements of the interior and suspension were changed. The car received a wider (4 cm) and longer (3 cm) body, a longer (4 cm) wheelbase and a wider (7 cm) gauge. However, ground clearance was reduced by a centimeter, thereby reducing the height by a centimeter. At the same time, the design of the rear suspension was simplified, which instead of independent multilink thrust became semi-dependent double-lever, with an elastic beam, which made it more reliable and easy to repair and maintain.
Three body styles, which are compact 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback, and a new 2-door coupe body style was introduced.
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Common 2016 Kia Forte problems
The Kia Forte 2016 has been reported to have several engine problems, which are some of the most common issues for this model year. These include excessive oil burning, oil leaks, sudden loss of power, and complete engine failure. The oil leak problem is caused by the faulty and leaking oil pan seal on the underbody, which can lead to engine stalls and engine failures due to oil deprivation.
In addition to engine problems, the 2016 Kia Forte has also faced electrical issues, including complete electrical system failure. Reports state that the electricals of the vehicle failed suddenly while driving, causing the engine to stall and disabling the power steering and exterior lights. In some cases, the dashboard went out completely, along with other electrical components failing.
Airbag failure is another safety problem reported for the 2016 Kia Forte. Many owners have reported that the airbags did not deploy despite having all the criteria and situations for deployment. This issue has led to accidents and injuries, with affected owners involved in crashes under various scenarios.
Power steering failure is another problem that some owners have experienced. Reports mention that while driving, the vehicles started to pull to one side and became hard to steer, increasing the risk of accidents.
Despite these issues, the Kia Forte has been praised for its spacious cabin, extensive warranty coverage, and striking design language. However, it is essential to perform all the mandatory inspections and get the car from a trusted used car dealer when buying a used example.
Is 2016 a good year for Kia Forte?
The 2016 Kia Forte is one of our top recommended sedans. There are three different engines for the 2016 Kia Forte, two of which offer competitive power and acceleration.
Does 2016 Kia Forte have engine problems?
Apparently this year (2016) model has the same engine defect as the 2015 models. It is burning oil and constantly stalls. The Kia dealerships refuse to even bring up the issue, they just say $5,000 for a new engine right away as if they know what the issue is right off the bat.
What is the most common problem with the Kia Forte?
With proper maintenance and good driving habits, you'll have no trouble getting this car to over 200,000 miles. There are, however, some issues surrounding the Forte across various model years. Some of these include defective speakers, faulty ignition coils, lighting issues, and leaky interiors, among others.
Is there a recall on the 2016 Kia Forte?
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside.
2016 Kia Forte complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Kia Forte.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2016 Kia Forte recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2016 Kia Forte.
- Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
- Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
- Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
Negative 2016 Kia Forte car reviews
Positive 2016 Kia Forte car reviews
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The car is really affordable and I was lucky enough to get a great deal. The features this car comes with are comparable with more expensive models. The interior is surprisingly roomy and comfortable, even for a big guy like me who's used to driving SUVs and pickups. The engine has adequate pep and power to navigate the daily urban commute. I've been averaging around 38MPG, but I do a lot of interstate driving. To nitpick, the steering is a bit sluggish compared to other compacts, and a little more noise gets into the cabin from the road than I would like. Still, I've been very happy with my Forte.
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Ride handles well for the most part. Although the steering can feel sluggish at times and the engine sounds cheap, the car still manages to deliver a sportier driving feel than most cars in the segment. Additionally, it boasts good looks and nice technology options. Overall, I would definitely consider buying another Forte.
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We recently purchased a Kia Forte 5 with the premium tech package from Jeff Belzer Kia in Lakeville, MN. This is our second purchase from this dealership and we couldn't be happier with the experience. Alex, our sales representative, was fantastic to work with. He was very knowledgeable, answered all of our questions, and even let us take the car for a test drive despite knowing we were considering other brands. We ultimately decided on the Kia Forte 5 because it was just so much fun to drive! The car has great road handling and plenty of power for everyday driving (2.0 liter, 173 h.p. and 154 ft. pounds of torque). We're currently averaging about 30.5 mpg, including cold starts with combined city-highway driving. The heated steering wheel and four heated leather seats are our favorite features, especially during these cold winter mornings. The technology package included navigation, a sunroof, and auto headlights, all of which are nice features. Plus, with a 5-year basic warranty and a 10-year powertrain warranty, we feel confident in our purchase. We highly recommend the Kia Forte 5 to anyone looking for a car with lots of features for the money. We've owned it for eight months now and still enjoy driving it every day!(This includes about 20% city, 20% two lane highway, and 60% freeway driving.) We are thrilled with our purchase of the Kia Forte hatchback and would highly recommend it. The EPA rating for this car is 25 city and 33 highway, which is impressive. We have owned about 25 different cars, and this is one of our favorites to drive. We appreciate the sharp-looking style of the car, but what we enjoy most is the way it drives. We have had this car for over four years now, and it still feels as great as when we first bought it. With winter coming, we are grateful for the heated steering wheel and the four heated seats, which are very scarce features for a car in this price range. It's still fun to drive and quite economical, a real plus. We highly recommend it.
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I am so glad I upgraded to this car from my old, ill-maintained Lumina. It's been 4 months since I got the Forte LX and I can confidently say that it's a great car. It runs smoothly and quietly, and if you want, super fast. I was impressed by how the engine keeps it quiet, just like the Toyota Prius. As a music enthusiast, I was thrilled with the possibilities of connecting my phone/mp3 to the car via USB, AUX and Bluetooth. However, the sound quality could be better, but that's something I can upgrade later. The windows are supposed to keep the heat out of the sun, but they're not quite accurate. They're like any other car window in its family. On the bright side, the trunk space is awesome! If I fold down the seats, I could practically sleep back there. All in all, the car does its job quite well. Sometimes I forget to be grateful when I start comparing it to other cars I could have bought instead.
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Congratulations on your new 2016 Kia Forte EX 4 dr sedan! It's great to hear that you're enjoying your new car so much. It's always a bit nerve-wracking to switch to a new car, but it sounds like you made a great choice. The Crimson Red Metallic color sounds stunning, and it's wonderful to hear that you're getting compliments on it. It's also great to hear that the 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine is performing well for you. I'm sure you'll continue to enjoy driving your new Forte EX, whether it's for a quick trip around town or a long road trip. Thanks for sharing your experience with us, and we hope you continue to love your Kia Forte for years to come!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2016 Kia Forte problems:
2016 Kia Forte Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2016 Kia Forte? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Kept up with oil changes on Kia Forte and engine still went idle on ...
Jan 18, 2022 ... The biggest problem here is that it's a Kia. They've been known for their more recent models having engines that are just flawed. Think there ...
2016 Kia Forte Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · Climate System · Paint And Trim · Steering And Suspension · Engine Major · Transmission Major · Fuel System/Emissions · Brakes.
2016 LX Engine Issue | Kia Forte Forum
Sep 23, 2016 ... The car will shake after a cold / hard start. If it shakes a lot due to spark plug misfire, it will throw a code and you will get a check engine ...
Common 2016 Kia Forte LX Problems: Fan Not Working | JustAnswer
May 28, 2020 ... Was this answer helpful? up Yes. down No. Finish.
Other years of Kia Forte
Are you having problems with your 2016 Kia Forte?
Kennedy Russel 2025-09-13
I recently purchased a used 2016 6-speed Forte and I must say, I'm quite pleased with it. It cost me much less than the used Civics I usually go for. The ride is smooth and it looks great, although it's a bit soft and sluggish in handling compared to a Civic. It's worth noting that Fortes don't hold their value as well as Hondas and Toyotas, but that's understandable given the thinner metal used in their construction. In fact, the inner door well or rocker panel can dent if you accidentally shut the door on the seat belt buckle. When I drilled a hole into both the Honda Civic and the Forte for undercoating, the Honda produced nice curls of steel from the drill bit, taking a while to get through. However, the Forte just instantly popped through, producing a ripped hole, like drilling through a beer can. I also put both cars on my lift to inspect the suspension. The Forte had lighter duty, cheap, thin stampings, while the Honda had full welded boxed-in members and was a bit heavier duty in general. Honda engines and transmissions are also very good and can take a lot of neglect and abuse, but I'm not so sure about Kias. In my opinion, buying new, I wouldn't try to save a little on a Kia, but buying used and getting a much better price for a low mileage newer Kia may be worth it. Time will tell for me.
Jasen Heaney 2025-06-22
Hey there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to let you know that the car is pretty good overall, but I did want to mention that there have been a few recalls on the engine. Additionally, it seems to burn through oil pretty quickly. Just wanted to give you a heads up!
Boyd Lueilwitz 2024-10-09
If you are considering purchasing a 2016 Kia Forte Ex, I would like to share my experience with you. While the engine has good power, I have found that the transmission can be hesitant, especially on the freeway. Additionally, I have had some issues with rattling in the car, but after the fourth repair attempt, the issue was finally resolved. I have also found that the car's traction control system can be overly sensitive, even when turned off. The brakes can overheat and fade in stop-and-go situations, and the driver's seat lacks support. However, I understand that every car has its own unique set of issues, and I encourage you to do your own research before making a decision. Thank you for considering my experience.
Jocelyn Waters 2024-07-01
Kia does not come with spare tires or a jack. Despite replacing three brand new batteries, my car still has issues starting. Even after running a diagnostic on the entire car, the Kia dealer informed me that all systems function perfectly. However, I am still experiencing the same issue. It is frustrating to have been paying for a car that I cannot drive for the past few months. I am confident that a solution can be found and I will continue to work towards resolving this issue.
Jasmin Crona 2024-05-10
What a great looking car! The taillights and headlights are absolutely amazing, and the folding mirrors with lights and frameless windows give it a luxurious feel. The seats are incredibly comfortable, perfect for long road trips. Although the stereo could be better, the fuel economy and power from the 1.6 turbo are fantastic, and the car handles and shifts like a dream. It's a shame that there were some issues with engine lights and misfires during ownership, but overall it was a great car. The dash did rattle a bit over bumps, but that's a minor issue. Ultimately, I decided to trade it in for a Mazda, but I have fond memories of my time with this car.