2016 Ford Focus vs 2016 Kia Forte
Two compact cars, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2016 Ford
Focus
3/10
Great chassis, class-action-lawsuit transmission — buy the manual or walk away.
VS
2016 Kia
Forte
6/10
Boring is beautiful until the 2.0L Nu engine throws a rod — verify the engine warranty extension before you buy.
Milo scores the 2016 Kia Forte higher — 6/10 against 3/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Ford Focus |
Kia Forte |
| Known failure points | 5 | 5 |
| NHTSA complaints | 1188 | 1 |
| Safety recalls | 10 | 1 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 28 | 62 |
| Cheap to own | 25 | 72 |
| Fun factor | 62 | 38 |
| Holds value | 30 | 48 |
| Enthusiast cred | 45 | 22 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2016 Ford Focus
1.0L EcoBoost 3-cylinder: oil pump drive belt/tensioner failure leading to engine damage (subject of separate recall)
$0–$6,00050k–90k mi
2016 Kia Forte
2.0L Nu MPI engine bearing wear/knock leading to potential engine seizure (part of the broader Kia/Hyundai engine recall campaigns, though this specific VIN's recall history should be checked)
$4,000–$6,50060k–100k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2016 Ford Focus
A 2016 Focus SE or SEL with the 2.0L PZEV engine and 5-speed MANUAL transmission — simple, proven, and completely sidesteps the DCT saga. If you want performance, hunt a manual ST with full service records showing the clutch/oil pump recalls completed.
✅ 2016 Kia Forte
2016 Forte SX with the 1.6T engine and 6-speed manual — best blend of fun, fuel economy, and Kia's stronger turbo reliability record versus the troubled 2.0L Nu.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
First report free · then $10
Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.