The Lemon Index2016 Kia Forte. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 6
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | FWD | 22 / 29 / 25 | Regular | $2,500 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 22 / 29 / 24 | Regular | $2,600 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | Auto (S6) | FWD | 26 / 37 / 30 | Regular | $2,100 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 25 / 36 / 29 | Regular | $2,150 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Auto (S6) | FWD | 25 / 34 / 28 | Regular | $2,200 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 24 / 33 / 27 | Regular | $2,300 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,200 and 70,500 miles. Median 44,500, from 61 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 63,600 | 39,000–106,800 | 26 |
| Electrical | 29,000 | 12,500–45,900 | 10 |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 17,300 | 2,400–49,800 | 9 |
| Speed control | 6,600 | 400–18,600 | 8 |
| Airbags | 50,000 | 18,400–59,900 | 9 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 27% |
| Electrical | 23% |
| Speed control | 17% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 17% |
| Airbags | 13% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 138 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 18 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 1
21V622000 Aug 2021 Latches/Locks/Linkages / Trunk Lid / Latch
Defect. 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."
Risk. 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.
Manufacturer communications 122
Kia filed 122 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- 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)
Crash ratings by version
| 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 |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | No | No |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
. Get the data