- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2016 Kia Forte Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2016 Kia Forte with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (2) and the engine & cooling (2). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in August 2021 for the latch. For comparison, the 2015 has 262 and the 2017 has 305.
NHTSA data checked
AFar fewer problems than a typical Forte year, for its age
#255 most complained-about 2016 vehicle
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2016 Kia Forte problems
Share of all 5 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2016 Kia Forte recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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5 complaints about the 2016 Kia Forte
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Intermittently when turn signals is in use, headlights would completely go out or start flashing on and off.
The Headlights and ALL exterior lights FLICKER or TURN OFF ENTIRELY while driving, especially when touching the Multi-Function Turn Signal Stalk to signal a turn. This can and HAS happened when the Headlights are switched on any mode: MARKER LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, or AUTO. I can be driving, Headlights are on AUTO - suddenly - ALL HEADLIGHTS/EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER OR TURN OFF. I have to quickly touch the Multi-Function Stalk or switch it from AUTO to HEADLIGHTS to keep the lights on. I then have to be careful when...
Read the full complaint
using the same Stalk to signal turns or it may cause the lights to flicker or turn off entirely AGAIN. THIS ISSUE CAN OCCUR EVERY DAY IF I'M NOT VERY DELICATE WITH THE MULTI-FUNCTION STALK. SOMETIMES, IT FLICKERS/TURNS OFF NO MATTER WHAT & I HAVE TO SWITCH THE LIGHTS FROM AUTO TO HEADLIGHTS OR VICE-VERSA TO ENSURE HEADLIGHTS STAY ON. THIS ISSUE HAS EVEN HAPPENED WHEN I DIDN'T TOUCH THE STALK AT ALL & I WAS DRIVING ON A DARK, RURAL HIGHWAY. LIGHTS OUT! THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. PLEASE INVESTIGATE, THANK YOU. I plan on having this issue fixed ASAP at my expense, which I hope won't be too expensive. $$$
Im getting denied dued to engine failure but whoever had the vehicle before didn't follow up with the ksds update, I just purchased the vehicle on June 30th,2026, I need this fixed ASAP because I still owe on this car.
When I have the windows down, I can see the headrest flapping in the wind. I took the cover off and discovered that the styrofoam had broken in half. I used foam adhesive to bind it together. Once again, windows down and the headrest is still flapping in the wind. Look underneath the cover and this time the Styrofoam is broken into multiple pieces.
My 2016 Kia Forte had a recall that was never performed and I was never told anything about the car fax or any recalls from where I got the car from, it needs a engine repair.
Kia Forte: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 78 | 0 | B |
| 2019 | 150 | 2 | C |
| 2018 | 136 | 3 | C |
| 2017 | 305 | 3 | D |
| 2016 | 5 | 1 | A |
| 2015 | 262 | 1 | C |
| 2014 | 445 | 3 | F |
| 2013 | 195 | 5 | C |
| 2012 | 293 | 4 | D |
2016 Kia Forte vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Kia Forte | 5 | 1 | A | |
| 2016 Hyundai Elantra | 294 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 2016 Dodge Dart | 264 | 5 | F | Compare |
| 2016 Chevrolet Cruze | 250 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2016 Toyota Corolla | 216 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 2016 Toyota Prius | 181 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 2016 Volkswagen Jetta | 162 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 | 103 | 6 | C | Compare |
| 2016 Volkswagen Golf | 85 | 9 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2016 Kia Forte
Does the 2016 Kia Forte have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2016 Kia Forte: latch (August 2021). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Forte?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (2), engine & cooling (2), lights (2).
How many complaints has the 2016 Kia Forte had?
5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 10, 2026 and the latest on November 4, 2026. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2016 Kia Forte a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 100 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Kia Forte year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Kia Forte years have the most complaints?
2014 (445), 2017 (305), 2012 (293). See every Kia Forte year compared.
What should I do if my 2016 Kia Forte has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data