2016 Kia Forte · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 30owner reports
- 57,095median miles
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Jul 19, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
89 of the 135 complaints on this car are about the engine. 30 of those describe stalling, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Forte.
Tick what matches of 30 reports
Stalling on other Forte years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (4 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
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
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 40,000 and 85,000 miles, from the 15 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Point 1)CVVT pin was sheared off. Not available for inspection, was replaced and discarded by KIA. Point 2)The vehicle had a rough start and stalled out while stopping. Had to have the car towed to the dealership. Point 3) UNKNOWN Point 4) No Point 5) The Check Engine Light would come on and off randomly. Code P0017 & P0016 would come up as pending when the engine light was on.”
Filed Jan 22, 2026
“While driving our 2016 Kia forte 5 the engine completely failed and lost all power while on a busy highway. The engine in this vehicle was not part of the original 2016 Forte Recalls for the same issue and is not part of any current recalls for the same issue. It could have led to very severe injuries or even death due to the failure and complete loss of engine power only. Battery power remained on the car.”
Filed Jun 9, 2025
“I had diagnostic ran because of a knocking sound and stalling and the oil pressure warning light. I was informed by the technician that the oil pressure was extremely low. Upon further inspection they found metal shards in the oil filter blocking oil flow. They told me this is a known defect and that Kia should be responsible. Contacted Kia and they said itâs not covered. It has 98,289 miles”
Filed Feb 25, 2025 · 98,289 miles
“Was driving and car lost power and shut off while in traffic car would not restart”
Filed Jul 13, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 30 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. 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
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 30 reports