The Lemon Index2016 Kia Forte.
The 2016 Kia Forte is better than average by owner complaints: 52 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 50, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 1 recall, and it gets 24 to 30 mpg combined. The best Kia Forte year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 138 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Kia Forte year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 70K miles on the car (61 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 39K–106K miles
Recalls 1
- latches/locks/linkages 2021
The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 122 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Hesitation, lack of power and/or check engine light on (sa227) - this bulletin provides
- Smart pedal feature - the smart pedal is an integral part of the engine management system (ems)
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Forte 5 HB FWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Forte Koup 2 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2150–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Rough idle, shaking engine, alternator pulled replaced 2 times, water pump burst while driving on highway, overheating due to coolant explosion on highway, insufficient idle, acceleration, and changing gears rough
2016 Kia Forte owner · NHTSA complaint 11253076
More owner reports
While driving 50 mph the dash board went black and the car powered completely down.
NHTSA complaint 10894766
The car has been making weird noise and then all the lights turn on and off. Car sounds like it wants to turn off and then the radio satellite. Car sounds like it wants to shut off
NHTSA complaint 11281550
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Kia Forte reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 50; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Forte year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2016 Kia Forte problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (27%), electrical (23%) and speed control (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Forte have?
1 safety recall (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Forte get?
24 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Kia Forte safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Kia Forte problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,200 and 70,500 miles. The middle report was at 44,500 miles, from 61 complaints.
Does the 2016 Kia Forte have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Kia Forte cost in fuel a year?
About $2150 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Kia Forte have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Kia Forte year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2011 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works