2016 Kia Forte Recalls, Problems & MPG
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 138 owner complaints for the 2016 Kia Forte. The EPA rates it 24 to 30 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
- Recalls
- 1
- Owner complaints
- 138
- Crashes / fires reported
- 16 / 6
- EPA combined
- 24–30 MPG
2016 Kia Forte recalls
Latches/Locks/LinkagesAug 9, 2021 · NHTSA 21V622000+
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
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."
Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.
Most reported 2016 Kia Forte problems
Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.
- Engine68
- Electrical System22
- Power Train16
- Unknown or Other15
- Vehicle Speed Control14
- Air Bags13
- Exterior Lighting10
- Service Brakes10
2016 Kia Forte gas mileage
EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).
| Version | Engine | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte | 1.8 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 26 | 37 | 30 | $2,150 |
| Forte | 1.8 L 4 cyl, Manual 6-spd | 25 | 36 | 29 | $2,200 |
| Forte | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 24 | 35 | 28 | $2,300 |
| Forte 5 | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,300 |
| Forte Koup | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,300 |
| Forte Koup | 2.0 L 4 cyl, Manual 6-spd | 24 | 33 | 27 | $2,400 |
| Forte Koup | 1.6 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,550 |
| Forte 5 | 1.6 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S6) | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,700 |
| Forte 5 | 1.6 L 4 cyl, Manual 6-spd | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,700 |
| Forte Koup | 1.6 L 4 cyl, Manual 6-spd | 22 | 29 | 24 | $2,700 |
Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.
Questions
Does the 2016 Kia Forte have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2016 Kia Forte, most recently for the latches/locks/linkages (Aug 9, 2021). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Kia Forte problems?
Owners filed 138 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are engine (68), electrical system (22), power train (16).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Forte get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Kia Forte at 24 to 30 MPG combined (best version: 26 city / 37 highway).
Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.