2016 Kia Forte · symptom sheet

Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing

30owner reports
92,000median miles
0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 31, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026

67 of the 135 complaints on this car are about the engine. 30 of those describe engine failure. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.

No recall on this systemas of Oct 2, 2026

No crash reportedin 30 reports

Tick what matches of 30 reports

a knocking or ticking noise first

the engine seized

oil light or low oil

the engine was replaced

it was covered by a warranty or extension

I was denied coverage

Engine failure on other Forte years

2014101 reports 201573 reports 201630 reports 201757 reports

Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2018, 2019.

What this problem usually is

These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.

Read the full explainer · Which cars report it most

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (29 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Forte

DP22-003opened Sep 12, 2022

Engine · model years 2010 to 2015

Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.

EA21-003opened Dec 22, 2021

Engine · model years 2012 to 2015

Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 74,000 and 118,167 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.

Is this a known problem?

The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 7 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Kia Forte that deal with this problem. Newest first.

Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.

Service bulletinPI2105YZ_TSB_R1Nov 7, 2024
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2105Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published (PI2105) titled “Nu 2.0L GDI - Knock Sensor Detection System ECU Logic Improvement”.
Service bulletinPI2105_OWNR_201Mar 26, 2024
OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2105) This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2016 MY Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting ...
Service bulletinPI2105YZ_TSBMar 23, 2022
SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2105Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published (PI2105) titled "Nu 2.0L GDI - Knock Sensor Detection System ECU Logic Improvement".
Service bulletinPI2105_OWNRAug 11, 2021
OWNER NOTIFICATION This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign (PI2105) to perform a software update on 2016 MY Kia Forte and Forte Koup vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive ...

3 more on the 2016 Kia Forte page.

What owners wrote

“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.”
Filed Aug 31, 2026

“Always had correct maintenance and the engine just randomly blew coming home from work and Kia Corp is not wanting to replace motor. Iâm out thousands of dollars now”
Filed Jul 19, 2023

“A portion of the air intake system was rubbing against the front driver side wheel and wore a hole causing damage to the engine and is knocking at very low RPM. The car was in one of Kiaâs dealerships for a headlight repair and a reference was made about a strange noise coming from the wheel but they did not advise of a problem and said the brake pad life is fine.”
Filed Jul 14, 2023

“Engine blew twice on the vehicle, Kia replaced the first blown engine. Then that engine blew again at 160k miles. First engine blew at a 105k miles.”
Filed Mar 21, 2023 · 160,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 30 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.

Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found