Home · 2016 Kia Forte Koup · Complaints

What 134 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Forte Koup

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (134)Crash / fire / injury (21)Engine (66)Electrical system (21)Transmission & drivetrain (16)Speed control (14)Airbags (13)Brakes (10)Lights (9)Fuel system (7)Wheels (6)Body & structure (5)

Newest first · 134 complaints · page 4 of 6

Dec 10, 2020Engine

PISTON ROD FAILURE

NHTSA ODI 11382928

Dec 9, 2020Electrical system

SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE THE HORN WAS LOW. I RARELY DRIVE MY VEHICLE SO FOR THE HORN NOT TO BE WORKING IS REALLY CRAZY . I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER KIA OWNER THAT THEY ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HORN. THIS IS CRAZY .

NHTSA ODI 11378627

Sep 16, 2020Engine

THE MOTOR BLEW AT 55,000 MILES

NHTSA ODI 11355300

May 20, 2020Electrical system

THE HORN WORKS THEN IT DON'T WORK THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT LOOSES PRESSURE AS DRIVING CAR JUST GOT 5/19/20. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11325252

Apr 2, 2020Steering

WHEN I HIT BETWEEN 60-80 MILES MY CAR STARTS PULLING AND FEELS LIKE THE ALIGNMENT IS NOT GOOD. I HAD THE ALIGNMENT DONE STILL DOING THE SAME THING I DON'T LIKE THE WAY IT FEELS AND SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE I WILL GET PULLED OVER BECAUSE IT APPEARS I'M SWERVING. ON HIGHWAY AND AS LONG AS DRIVING BETWEEN 60 - 80 .

NHTSA ODI 11320021

Feb 21, 2020AirbagsCrash3 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS WIFE THE DRIVER AND STATED THAT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING TROUGH AN INTERSECTION A SECOND VEHICLE T- BONED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH NO AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A LEFT HIP INJURY WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE CONTACT STATED A 1 YEAR OLD WAS FASTENED IN CAR SEAT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SUSTAINED A MINOR HEAD INJURY WHICH ALSO REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. INJURIES TO THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS UNKNOWN. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE LOCAL DEAL KIA OF CERRITOS (18201 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS CA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILUREM HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ODI 11310562

Jan 16, 2020Transmission & drivetrainCrash

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 ODI 11299954

Nov 21, 2019Electrical system

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 ODI 11281550

Oct 15, 2019Engine

WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THIS CAR A D THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL. MECHANIC SAID THIS TYPE OF ENGINE WAS NOTORIOUS FOR THIS AND WE WOULD NEED A NEW MOTOR VERY SOON. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING SO WE HAD NO IDEA THIS WAS HAPPENING. THE MOTOR LOCKED UP AROUND 74,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THIS DOESN'T SEEM FAIR AT ALL! FIRST CAR LOAN I'VE EVER TAKEN AND CAN'T EVEN DRIVE THE CAR OR AFFORD A NEW MOTOR, YET STILL MAKING MY PAYMENTS ON THE LOAN...

NHTSA ODI 11268482

Sep 19, 2019AirbagsCrash

TAKATA RECALL. CAR RAN STOP SIGN AND HIT ME IN DRIVER DOOR. AIR BAG DID NOT COME OUT. IN MOTION ON CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI 11256621

Sep 4, 2019Engine

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

NHTSA ODI 11253076

Aug 6, 2019Wheels

THE BELT IN THE DRIVERS REAR TIRE SEPARATED HAVING TO BE REPLACED BEING UNDER 3 YEARS OLD THIS IS NOT THE ONLY 2016 KIA FORTE LX THIS HAS HAPPENED TO I'VE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET THAT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER OWNERS

NHTSA ODI 11242108

Jul 17, 2019Lights

ALL LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING , HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES TURN OFF WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS USED. DASH LIGHTS WILL FLICKER EVEN WHILE PARKED.

NHTSA ODI 11232895

Jun 20, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

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 ODI 11221479

Jun 5, 2019AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND T-BONED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE MEDIAN AND BOUNCED BACK TO THE CURB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES BLEW OUT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO IMPOUND. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. *AS *TR CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS 4 HERNIATED DISCS TWO PINCHED NERVES AND 3 BRUISED SPINAL BONES FROM ACCIDENT.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11218088

Jun 4, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

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". I HAVE OWNED MAY CARS AND HAVE NEVER OWNED ONE THAT HAD ANY NOTICEABLE THROTTLE RESPONSE DELAY. THIS KIA HAS A BIG DELAY IN THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT AND START TO ACCELERATE AFTER PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAY DOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11217756

May 8, 2019Engine

WHILE I WAS DRIVING I LOST POWER AND THE CAR WOULD HARDLY MOVE. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE KIA DEALER. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER INFORMED ME THAT HIS BROY=THER HAD THE SAME CAR AND THIS HAPPENED TO HIM ALSO. HE THAN TOLD ME THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE AND SINCE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THE ENGINE IS COVER. HE ALSO STATED THAT AFTER THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY THERE WILL BE A RECALL. THIS PUT ME AT SOME EASE BUT I KNEW IT WAS ONLY HERE SAY. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS MY FAULT SINCE I DID NOT PROPERLY MAINTAIN IT. I ALWAYS GET MY OIL CHANGED AND IF I DON'T SHOW PROOF IT IS NOT COVERED. I DO NOT HAVE ALL MY RECEIPT, THE GARAGES CLOSE TO MY HOUSE JUST PUT THEM ON PAPER RECEIPTS WITH KNOW COMPUTER RECORD. THE DEALER IS 10 MILES FURTHER AWAY THAN MY LOCAL GARAGE. I GAVE THE KEYS TO THE KIA DEALER AND TOLD THEM TO KEEP IT. IF ITS 'S UNDER WARRANTY WITH ABOUT 44,000 MILES WHY ISN'T IT COVERED.

NHTSA ODI 11206159

Apr 11, 2019Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TAKATA RECALL WHEN TURNING MY VEHICLE OFF THERE IS A TICKING COMING FROM THE COMPUTER WHEN SITTING STILL IT WILL CAR WILL AISLE UP IN TRY TO TAKE OFF A LITTLE WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE IT ALSO SHAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK AND L I HAVE REPORTED THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE AND THE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE MOTOR ON THE VEHICLE A LITTLE AFTER THE WARRANTY REPLACEMENT WAS DONE THE TICKING BEGIN AGAIN UNDER THE HOOD AND THE SHAKING AND EVERYTHING IS STARTING OVER AGAIN AND I KEEP TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THEY DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WHICH IS EXACTLY LIKE THE FIRST TIME WHEN I WAS START TAKING IT BEFORE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET IN MY MOTOR

NHTSA ODI 11195684

Apr 5, 2019

MY HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING, I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS MY CLOCK SPRING.

NHTSA ODI 11194250

Apr 2, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngine

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 ODI 11193384

Mar 30, 2019SteeringElectrical system

2016 KIA FORTE CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. HORN DOESN'T FUNCTION. CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK FROM CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. THE IDLE IS OUT OF CONTROL AT TIMES. REVS HIGH WHILE STARTED BUT IN PARK, SOMETIMES NOT ENOUGH CAR DIES. POSSIBLE NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG. I READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS OF OTHER KIAS HORN NOT WORKING THEY HAD TO REPLACE CLOCK SPRING. KIA MANUFACTURERS NEED TO SEND OUT RECALL. KIA PLEASE HELP FIX THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11192582

Mar 18, 2019Lights

"TAKATA RECALL". MY HEADLIGHT WIRING ON THE DRIVER SIDE KEEPS MELTING AND BLOWING THE BULBS WHICH ARE NOT CHEAP. HAD IT FIXED SEVERAL TIMES BUT IT IS STILL HAPPENING. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD TO ME AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 11187456

Feb 28, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. LATER, WHILE DRIVING, THE LOW OIL MESSAGE DISPLAYED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MORITZ KIA (11210 N. FREEWAY, FT WORTH, TX) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PAN PLUG DETACHED AND CAUSED OIL TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE. THE PLUG WAS REPLACED AND OIL WAS ADDED TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11183134

Feb 8, 2019LightsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

LOW BEAMS ARE DULL NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IN THE DARK. ESTIMATED SIGHT DISTANCE OF LOW BEAM LIGHTS 200 FT. PASSENGERS IN MY CAR ASK IF I HAVE MY LIGHTS ON. ON COMING CARS FLASH THEIR LIGHTS AS A SIGNAL TO TURN ON MY LIGHTS. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGHBEAMS AFTER DUSK FOR VIABILITY AND FOR CARS ON THE ROAD TO BE ABLE TO SEE MY LIGHTS. THE ELECTRIC DASH BOARD WILL NOT ILLUMINATE AT TIMES; HAVING TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN BACK ON MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE DASHBOARD TO LIGHT UP. THE LOW BEAMS ARE CONSENT EVERY TIME I AM STATIONARY, IN MOTION, REVERSE, PARKED. THE ELECTRIC DASHBOARD IS WHEN STARTING THE CAR, STATIONARY WHEN AT RED LIGHTS WITH THE BREAK ON.

NHTSA ODI 11175758

Feb 7, 2019Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlCrash

THE VEHICLE OF CONCERN REPORTEDLY HAD BEEN PARKED ALL DAY IN A PARKING LOT AT WORK WITH THE DOORS LOCKED AND IN PARK. AT THE END OF THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS REMOTE STARTED FROM INSIDE THE BUILDING APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET AWAY. THE VEHICLE STARTED AND THEN A FEW SECONDS LATTER IT APPARENTLY SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THEN ACCELERATED INTO THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET AWAY. THE INCIDENT WAS RECORDED ON THE BUILDING SECURITY VIDEO WHICH SHOWS THAT NO ONE ENTERED OR EXITED THE VEHICLE BEFORE OR AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. IT ALSO SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED AND THEN ROLLED FORWARD INTO THE BUILDING. THE EDR WAS IMAGED BY THE E-N-K-01-00-0027 TOOL AND NO EVENTS WERE RECORDED.

NHTSA ODI 11175024

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Working with the data? Download all 134 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Kia Forte Koup verdict →