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2016 Kia Forte Koup
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
134 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 26, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Engine problems dominate (49% of complaints, typically reported near 64k miles).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Zero recalls, rare for a car this age.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#255 of 605Among the 2016 models with a matured record, the 2016 Kia Forte Koup ranks #255, scoring higher than 56% of them. See the 2016 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2016 Kia Forte Koup, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Electrical system (21) · Transmission & drivetrain (16) · Speed control (14) · Airbags (13)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint. Treat them as a rough guide.
Engine
49%66 complaints · typically near 64k mi · 18 in the last 2 years
“Unknown it makes a ticking noise check engine light came on and oil isn't low. Recently bought it.”
Electrical system
16%21 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years
“Unknown it makes a ticking noise check engine light came on and oil isn't low. Recently bought it.”
Transmission & drivetrain
12%16 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“On May 25th 2023 I was driving on the highway when I experienced extreme loss of power and the infotainment screen displayed "possible engine condition". Considering I…”
Speed control
10%14 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“VEHICLE ISSUED DTC'S P1326 AND CAR FAILED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY EXPRESSWAY”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 1 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 134 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 21 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Kia before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 64k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any electrical system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2016 Kia FORTE KOUP beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2016? See how every Forte Koup model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2016 Kia Forte Koup against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.