Kia Forte 2016 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall issued for the Kia Forte 2016 and 4 complaints filed by owners. It's the model year with the fewest complaints for the Kia Forte between 2016 and 2024.
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Kia Forte 2016? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Kia Forte 2016
Latches and locks
NHTSA campaign 21V622000 · 2021-08-09
What happens
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."
Consequence
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
4 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
Most reported problems on the Kia Forte 2016
- Engine: 2 (50% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 1 (25% of complaints)
- Exterior lighting: 1 (25% of complaints)
- Insert: 1 (25% of complaints)
- Padding: 1 (25% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Kia Forte 2016
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
- Test headlights, brake lights, turn signals and hazards.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Kia Forte 5 HB FWD | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2016 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Kia Forte recalls by year
- 2016 : 1 recalls · 4 complaints
- 2017 : 3 recalls · 305 complaints
- 2018 : 3 recalls · 136 complaints
- 2019 : 2 recalls · 147 complaints
- 2020 : 0 recalls · 78 complaints
- 2021 : 2 recalls · 69 complaints
- 2022 : 1 recalls · 28 complaints
- 2023 : 3 recalls · 64 complaints
- 2024 : 0 recalls · 26 complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Kia Forte 2016 have?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall issued for the Kia Forte 2016. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Kia Forte 2016?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: engine (2 of 4 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 14, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).