2016 Kia Forte Brakes Problems

I am filing a formal complaint regarding serious safety and mechanical problems with my vehicle. The brakes do not function properly and I have to add brake fluid every few days, which indicates a possible leak or brake system failure. This creates an extremely dangerous driving condition. The vehicle also has electrical problems, including malfunctioning lights. The engine has lost power, making it unsafe to drive, especially in traffic or on highways. In addition, the airbag warning light is on, which means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, putting me at risk of serious injury or death. These problems have made the vehicle unreliable and unsafe to operate. I am requesting that these issues be inspected and repaired immediately at no cost to me, or that the vehicle be replaced or refunded under warranty or consumer protection laws. I am concerned for my safety and the safety of others, and I expect this matter to be handled urgently.

NHTSA ID

11710115

Incident

Nov 19, 2025

In December 2023 the dashboard ABS, ESC and Brake Dashboard warning lights came on the car while driving. I checked for any ABS codes and noted a C2374 code. The car did not show any handling issues and I attributed it to a anomaly. However over 2024 the lights have come back on but they disapear when the car is turned off and then restarted. As this is happening frequently during the past 3 months I took it to two KIA dealers to have it reviewed. Both dealers say the HECU ( Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit) is failing. As the car now has 110,000 miles on it I was told by KIA that this is passed the warranty and not covered. I am surprised that a safety device is not covered and as this device requires no maintenance by the customer I attribute this to a premature part failure. I note there has been a related safety Recall Report 23E-073 issued for this part. I included the dealers diagnostic reports. If this vehicle is unsafe to drive then I need to be aware of that and KIA should investigate for similar occurrences.

NHTSA ID

11611124

Incident

Aug 15, 2024

I have been on the freeway multiple times and tried to brake and I feel a fluttering from the brake pedal. The car won't brake, it feels like I'm sliding. I have to press the brake a few more times for it to actually brake. I had my brakes replaced and that didn't work. I took it to the Kia dealer and they said the problem was that I had after market brakes. I had them change them out and that wouldn't work either. They say nothing is wrong with my caliper.

NHTSA ID

11590707

Incident

May 24, 2024

My car was recalled and I took it in to KIA in June 2023 for brake line treatment to prevent deterioration/corrosion, May 2024 my brake lines now leak and car is not safe to drive. This preventative maintenance did not work for my vehicle and had it towed back to the KIA that handled the original recall 'remedy'.

NHTSA ID

11589621

Incident

May 17, 2024

I was attempting to park in a parking spot that I use regularly at Dollar General. As it was coming to a stop, the brakes failed. I was pushing the brake pedal down. The car started to rev up and speed forward on it's own. It lunged forward jumping the curb and into the pillar. It wouldn't stop going forward. So I had to put it in reverse. As I did that, I put the brakes on as well as the ebrake. It was wanting to speed in reverse for a second. So I threw it into park and turned it off. My family and I went into the store to let the car settle down. Then we was able to drive it home and park it. So it's currently sittling in our driveway here at home.

NHTSA ID

11584848

Incident

Apr 23, 2024

Engine failed due to rod knock at 127,000 miles, this is a known defect with the car. Kia is refusing to replace the engine even though they know they are designed poorly and fail. Knock sensor and flashing engine light came on, had all the qualifications for the replacement but Kia is making excuses and denying it. I have all the paperwork and maintences done on time and they still won’t cover it. My corroded brake lines were supposed to be fixed under the recall and they have had them on back order since September of 2022. Dealership has no loaner cars to provide.

NHTSA ID

11515709

Incident

Mar 4, 2023

Mileage

127,000 mi

I received a voluntary service campaign letter dated August 19, 2022. The letter was in regard to corrosion of the brake lines. I was driving when my brake lines ruptured. I had the car towed, 11/ 22/22, to the Kia dealership in Jamestown, NY. I received a call from the service department, letting me know all the brake lines were 100% covered under terms of the recall. I was told they didn't have the parts, had to be ordered, were on back order and that could take up to 2 months. I called Kia customer service, the owner, [XXX], the general manager, [XXX] and was told I could wait, have it repaired at my cost (the parts are made at the dealership) or buy a new car. The dealership doesn't have loan vehicles. I made the decision to have the car repaired at my cost. My vehicle is used for my job and personal transportation. To maintain my employment, I had to find alternative transportation. I called the dealership on Thursday, 12/ 2/ 22, to do the repair the price quoted was $777.60. I was called at 9am, Monday 12/5/22 my vehicle was repaired. The cost was $792,98, the change was the cost of labor increased Mon. 12/5/22. The repairs were done for the front brake lines. I am driving with corrosive rear brakes lines waiting for the parts. How many owners of KIA vehicles are driving with corrosive brakes lines and are unable to get them repaired. Kia is being irresponsible and poising a major vehicle mishap for American drivers. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11497166

Incident

Aug 19, 2022

I PURCHASED MY 2016 KIA FORTE IN MARCH 2017 USED AND SINCE THEN I'VE BEEN HAVING SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. MAY 2017 I HAD 3 ALIGNMENTS AND I CONSTANTLY BEEN GETTING ALIGNMENTS AND REPLACING MY BRAKES AND TIRES. AUGUST 2020 MY CAR STARTED TO CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND ACCELERATE WHEN I TRIED TO STOP. MY CHECK ENGINE CODE AN IGNITION COILS PROBLEM SO I DID A FULL TUNE-UP AND OIL CHANGE IN SEPTEMBER. BUT IT DIDNT FIX THE PROBLEM SO AFTER THAT MY CAR CODE AN INTAKE FAILURE. I HAD IT REPAIRED IN OCTOBER BUT IT STILL DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM AND ON TOP OF THAT THE PISTONS IN THE ENGINE STARTED GRINDING. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT I NEED A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. NOW MY CAR BEEN SITTING EVERY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER.

NHTSA ID

11385722

Incident

Aug 3, 2020

Mileage

118,167 mi

WHILE SETTING IN PARKING LOT WITH CAR IN PARK AND ENGINE RUNNING, MULTIPLE INSTRUMENTATION FAILURE, ANTI SLIP, TIRE PRESSURE, A.B.S. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, REGULAR BRAKING LIGHT, ENGINE MISS FIRING... ROUGH SHIFTING, WAS ABLE TO LIMP CAR TO CLOSED KIA DEALER.. ON A SUNDAY NIGHT.. THEY KEPT CAR 3 DAYS.. COULD NOT FIND WHY CAR HAS MULTIPLE FAILURES..THEY CALLED KIA ENGINEER .. STILL HAD NO CLUE AS TO PROBLEM.. FINALLY..SAID THEY CLEARED 2 CODES FROM COMPUTER.. CAR RAN GOOD .. FOR 2 DAYS..THEN WHEN WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN LUTHERVILLE MD. AGAIN MULTIPLE FAILURES.. SHE HAD ALMOST NO BRAKING .. HAD TO DRIFT CAR INTO NATIONWIDE KIA.. PARKING LOT A FEW BLOCKS FROM HER WORK.. THEY HAD CAR FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS.. WITH NO CLUE AS TO WHY FOR SECOND TIME IN A FEW DAYS.SAME FAILURES AGAIN.. TRANSMISSION FELT AND SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING OUT OF CAR...THEY SAID LATER THEY STARTED IT.. AND ONLY A.B.S. WAS LIT.. AND WHEN THEY RESTARTED CAR A.B.S. LIGHT WAS OFF.. WITH STILL NO ANSWER WHY IT IS FAILING.. CAR IS VERY VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.. WE HAVE LOST ALL CONFIDENCE IN VEHICLE, .. IT IS A DANGER TO MY WIFE AND PUBLIC...WE HAVE NOTIFIED.. HAGERSTOWN KIA.. ALSO KIA CORP. HAGERTOWN KIA.. SAID IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM.. WITH NO REGARD FOR THE SAFTY OF MY WIFE.. OR THE PUBLIC..

NHTSA ID

11006028

Incident

Jun 19, 2017

Mileage

16,901 mi

BRAKE LIGHTS STOP WORKING TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX THE BRAKE SWITCH BUT I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BULBS AND THE RELAY AND ALSO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL TUESDAY FOR THE RELAY. WHAT'S THE POINT OF PAYING FOR A WARRANTY

NHTSA ID

10924524

Incident

Nov 4, 2016