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 5 of 6

Feb 1, 2019AirbagsCrash1 injury

DRIVER RAN RED LIGHT AT HIGH SPEED AND T BONED ME AT INTERSECTION OF 83RD COTTAGE GROVE (CHICAGO). ACCIDENT RIPPED MY ENTIRE FRONT END OFF MY CAR AND SPINNER MY AN ENTIRE 360 DEGREES AND NOT ONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I ALSO HAVE 2 VIDEOS THAT CAN DETAIL THE RATE OF SPEED AT IMPACT FROM A NEIGHBORING ESTABLISHMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11173477

Jan 9, 2019Engine

I PURCHASED T A KIA FORTE SEPTEMBER OF 2017. I ALSO BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY CAR STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS SO I BROUGHT IT INTO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD HER THE ENGINE WAS SHOT. I THEN CALLED KIA (GARY LANG - IN MCHENRY) WHOM TOLD HER TO BRING IT IN AND THAT ACCORDING TO THE VIN# THEY WOULD COVER IT. WHEN I GOT THERE, THEY TOLD ME AGAIN IT WOULD BE COVERED AND EVEN GAVE ME A LOANER TO DRIVE. 3 DAYS LATER THEY CALLED HER WITH BAD NEWS AND SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNLESS COULD PROVE THAT IT WASN'T FROM NEGLECT. I THEN PRODUCED 7 OIL CHANGES FROM TWO DIFFERENT SHOPS AS WELL AS MY YEARLY UBER INSPECTIONS (DONE BY JIFFY LUBE). I HAS BEEN TRYING TO WORK WITH KIA'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION AS WELL. AGAIN I GAVE THEM ALL THE DOCUMENTATION AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THE SAME THING - THEY WILL NOT HELP WITH ANYTHING.

NHTSA ODI 11166052

Oct 22, 2018Electrical systemBody & structureEngineFire

THE KIA FORTE CAUGHT FIRE AS MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE (THE CAR WAS IN MOTION). WE HAD ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR JUST OVER A YEAR. I AM UNSURE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE HOWEVER, THE INSURANCE REVIEWER ADVISE THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE. MY HUSBAND BARLEY MADE IT OUT OF THE CAR BEFORE THE INSIDE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CAR WAS A COMPLETE LOSS IT WAS HARDLY RECOGNIZABLE ONCE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO GET THE FIRE OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11141847

Aug 31, 2018Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE CUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING WHILE IN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE DOESN'T ACCELERATE, IT SLOWS DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING OTHER VEHICLES TO HAVE TO DECELERATE OR GO AROUND TO AVOID HITTING ME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED BY KIA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE A COLLISION HAPPENS WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONE TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11123873

Aug 17, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHEN DRIVING MY CAR, MY HEADLIGHTS ARE FLICKERING/CUTTING OFF AND ON. I"VE TALKED TO KIA MOTORS SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED. I KNOW THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11120726

Jul 25, 2018Electrical systemFire

I WENT HUNTING AND WENT TO GO BACK TO MY CAR AT THE END OF THE EVENING. MY CAR WAS PARKED ON A GRASS LANE BY A WOODS WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE EGNITION. WHEN I GOT TO THE CAR IT WAS DARK SO I DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING AT FIRST, BUT WHEN I WENT TO UNLOCK MY DOOR AND MY KEYLESS ENTRY WOULD NOT WORK. BUT MY BUDDY NOTICED THAT MY LIGHTS FLASHED AS IF IT WAS WORKING. I USED MY KEY TO OPEN MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND WAS HIT BY A CLOUD OF SMOKE. MY WHOLE DOOR PANEL WAS MELTED ALONG THE SPEAKER AND HALF OF THE DOOR. THE FIRE WAS OUT BY THE TIME I ARRIVED. KIA IN LIMA WOULDN'T TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VEHICLE AFTER A LONG DRAWN OUT PROCESS AND POOR COMMUNICATION FROM THEM, BUT MY INSURANCE COMPANY DEAMED IT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I DO NOT HAVE THE PAPERWORK AT THE MOMENT BUT CAN HAVE IT AVAILABLE ASAP.

NHTSA ODI 11113694

Jul 1, 2018

CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING ALL WARNING LIGHTS WILL CUT ON THE CAR SLOWS DOWN THEN COMES TO A STOP. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN CAR IS ABOUT TO SHUT OFF. DOES NOT LOSE POWER BUT WONT LET ME ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING ON MAIN ROADS AND STREETS, FREEWAY. THE VEHICLE STARTS BACK UP IMMEDIATELY. ACCORDING TO KIA DEALERSHIPS THERE IS NOTHING REGISTERING THAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN PLACED ON THERE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE.

NHTSA ODI 11105012

May 15, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

2016 KIA FORTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION. *LD *JS

NHTSA ODI 11092948

May 12, 2018AirbagsCrash

MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION, IN WHICH HER AIR BAGS ON HER FORTE DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT WAS SO SIGNIFICANT THAT THE BUMPER WAS SPLIT AND THE RIGHT SIDE UNDER BODY (FRAME) THAT MEETS THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS BENT! LUCKILY, MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT INJURED, AS THE IMPACT WAS MORE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. IF SHE WOULD'VE HAD A PASSENGER TO BELIEVE THEY WOULD HAVE SUSTAINED GREAT INJURY. MY DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH, WHEN SHE CAME UPON A 96 JEEP GRANDE CHEROKEE WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS, STOPPED FOR A TURNING VEHICLE. SHE APPLIED HER BRAKES BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME. HER KIA FORTE, THEN WENT UNDER THE JEEP GRANDE CHEROKEE CAUSING DAMAGES IN WHICH TOTALED HER CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11093443

May 5, 2018Engine

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IT STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEN IT TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND IT NEVER TURNED ON AGAIN. I HAD TO TOW IT.

NHTSA ODI 11092058

May 5, 2018Engine

I PICKED UP MY CAR FROM THE KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES AFTER BEING THERE FOR AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT 4 MONTHS. I WAS DRIVING IT HOME AND IT STARTED SMELLING FUNNY IN THE FWY. I PULLED OVER AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE I DROVE 10 MILES MORE THEN ALL THIS SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT AND THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FWY. IT DIDN'T TURN ON ANYMORE AND IT STARTED JERKING OFF . I ADDED WATER AND IT JUST LEAKED THROUGH THE BOTTOM. I HAD TO PUSH IT OUT OF THE FWY AND CALL A TOW TRUCK AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11092062

Mar 28, 2018Body & structureSpeed controlWheels

TOO MUCH ACCLERATION ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY. THE SCREWS IN MY VISORS KEEP COMING OUT. I WAS ONLY GIVEN A DONUT TIRE UPON PURCHASE. THE PAINT ON THE CAR IS SO CHEAP I'M SEEING SCRATCHES ALL THRU THE PAINT ON MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11081890

Mar 14, 2018Body & structure

TAKATA RECALL, DOOR COVER TO THE GAS CAP SNAPPED OFF, COVER BROKE AT THE HINGE (INSIDE THE COMPARTMENT) , NOW, IN ORDER TO RELEASE IT YOU MUST USE THE RELEASE LEVER, PLUS PARTIAL PRYING OF THE COVER ITSELF. CAR WAS STATIONARY, AT THE FUEL PUMP

NHTSA ODI 11079434

Feb 28, 2018Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN DRIVING IN TOWN , IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE AFTER IDLING SUCH AS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11075353

Jan 5, 2018TiresWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SPARE TIRE FROM THE INITIAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE THAT PROGRESSED UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE PREMATURELY FRACTURED. THE DEALER (CLASSIC CHEVROLET, 1-(888) 981-6002) HAD BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11060738

Jan 3, 2018Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsBody & structureEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA FORTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE MATS ON THE FLOOR BEGAN TO SMOKE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE SUN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED FREQUENTLY REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED SHE WAS TRAVELING. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD CONCERNS WITH THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE TRANSFERRED GEARS ON ITS OWN. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. KIA OF GREENVILLE (2424 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,865.

NHTSA ODI 11058265

Nov 17, 2017SuspensionAirbagsBody & structureCrash

I WAS INVOLVED IN A FAIRLY SERIOUS FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT WAS AT THE RIGHT FRONT FRAME RAIL AND CORNER. THE IMPACT WAS ENOUGH TO PUSH A FULL SIZED CHEVROLET PICK UP SIDEWAYS APPROX. 6 FEET. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 35-40 MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE WHEN THE TRUCK PULLED OUT STRAIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING ME TO COLLIDE WITH IT BROADSIDE AT THE TRUCKS LEFT FRONT WHEEL AREA.

NHTSA ODI 11046922

Aug 21, 2017Visibility & wipers

2016 KIA FORTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPS WORKING DURING RAINSTORM, DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT UNABLE TO DUPLICATE SUDDEN MALFUNCTION. *SMD UPDATED 08/21/2017*JS ..UPDATED 09/21/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI 10938228

Jul 17, 2017Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

WHILE SETTING IN PARKING LOT WITH CAR IN PARK AND ENGINE RUNNING, MULTIPLE INSTRUMENTATION FAILURE, ANTI SLIP, TIRE PRESSURE, A.B.S. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, REGULAR BRAKING LIGHT, ENGINE MISS FIRING... ROUGH SHIFTING, WAS ABLE TO LIMP CAR TO CLOSED KIA DEALER.. ON A SUNDAY NIGHT.. THEY KEPT CAR 3 DAYS.. COULD NOT FIND WHY CAR HAS MULTIPLE FAILURES..THEY CALLED KIA ENGINEER .. STILL HAD NO CLUE AS TO PROBLEM.. FINALLY..SAID THEY CLEARED 2 CODES FROM COMPUTER.. CAR RAN GOOD .. FOR 2 DAYS..THEN WHEN WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN LUTHERVILLE MD. AGAIN MULTIPLE FAILURES.. SHE HAD ALMOST NO BRAKING .. HAD TO DRIFT CAR INTO NATIONWIDE KIA.. PARKING LOT A FEW BLOCKS FROM HER WORK.. THEY HAD CAR FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS.. WITH NO CLUE AS TO WHY FOR SECOND TIME IN A FEW DAYS.SAME FAILURES AGAIN.. TRANSMISSION FELT AND SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING OUT OF CAR...THEY SAID LATER THEY STARTED IT.. AND ONLY A.B.S. WAS LIT.. AND WHEN THEY RESTARTED CAR A.B.S. LIGHT WAS OFF.. WITH STILL NO ANSWER WHY IT IS FAILING.. CAR IS VERY VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.. WE HAVE LOST ALL CONFIDENCE IN VEHICLE, .. IT IS A DANGER TO MY WIFE AND PUBLIC...WE HAVE NOTIFIED.. HAGERSTOWN KIA.. ALSO KIA CORP. HAGERTOWN KIA.. SAID IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM.. WITH NO REGARD FOR THE SAFTY OF MY WIFE.. OR THE PUBLIC..

NHTSA ODI 11006028

Mar 15, 2017SuspensionSpeed control

AFTER MY 5K MILE OIL CHANGE, THIS WAS THE FIRST OIL CHANGE. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK BECAUSE OF A LOUD TICKING SOUND. I OVERHEARD THE SERVICE SUPRV SAY THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT ON FORTES. BUT, HE TRIED TO TELL ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG UNTIL I TOLD HIM WHAT I HEARD HIM SAY OVER THE WALKIE. THEN, THEY KEPT THE CAR AND CHANGED THE PULLEY SYSTEM. NOW, HERE'S ANOTHER PROBLEM. NOT SURE IF IT'S RELATED TO THE PULLEY ISSUE. 1ST TIME, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY GOING ABOUT 70MPH IN 6THGEAR AND IT POPPED OUT OF 6TH TO NEUTRAL. I LOOKED DOWN BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. I QUICKLY PUT IT BACK INTO 6TH. 2ND TIME. FEBRUARY 23RD 2017 I WAS DRIVING 75 MPH ON I-20 PASSING REDOAK, TX AND THE GEAR POPPED OUT OF 6TH INTO NEUTRAL. SCARED ME, I IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED IT BACK TO 6TH. I MADE AN APPT THE NEXT DAY AFTER THE 2ND INCIDENT AND WAD TOLD THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IF IT GETS WORSE TO BRING IT BACK. IT DID IT AGAIN ON THAT SUNDAY, MARCH 5TH 2017 WHILE I WAS DRIVING 75 - 80 MPH TO LOUISIANA. NOW, I HAVE A LOG AND WILL LOG EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS AND IM GOING TO TAKE THE LOG WITH ME WHEN I GO BACK TO KIA SERVICE DEPT.

NHTSA ODI 10966009

Mar 13, 2017

DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR AND ALL OF SUDDEN CAR LOST POWER AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP. WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION!!!

NHTSA ODI 10965755

Feb 15, 2017Speed controlFuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 40 MPH. THE DEALER ADDED A FUEL ADDITIVE TO THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,300. ...UPDATED 05/19/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI 10954860

Jan 26, 2017SteeringFuel systemElectrical system

MOST RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING ON A RURAL HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED FOR NO REASON...I LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER, ALL ELECTRICAL DASH LIGHTS WERE MALFUNCTIONING, I TURNED THE KEY TO AN OFF POSITION AND WAITED...AFTER A MINUTE I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10947874

Nov 21, 2016

MY CAR JUST CUT OFF WHEN I GOT TO THE LIGHT AND WOULDN'T START BACK UP.

NHTSA ODI 10927327

Nov 6, 2016Electrical systemLightsBrakes

BRAKE LIGHTS STOP WORKING TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX THE BRAKE SWITCH BUT I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BULBS AND THE RELAY AND ALSO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL TUESDAY FOR THE RELAY. WHAT'S THE POINT OF PAYING FOR A WARRANTY

NHTSA ODI 10924524

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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 →