2016 Kia Forte Driver assistance 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

VEHICLE ISSUED DTC'S P1326 AND CAR FAILED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY EXPRESSWAY

NHTSA ID

11606182

Incident

Jun 28, 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

I was slowly pulling into a parking spot with my foot on the brake and the vehicle suddenly accelerated. I hit the brake hard and the car eventually stopped but it did go onto the sidewalk before stopping. In the past, when I started the car, the engine would sometimes rev too much and I had to step on the gas while in park to get it to stop, but this is the first time it suddenly accelerated while driving. I am contacting the dealer about the problem tomorrow so it has not been inspected yet. I read online that other Kia models have this problem and that a recall is being considered.There were no warning lamps before the problem occurred. My car is available for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11567857

Incident

Jan 25, 2024

I am writing to express serious concerns about the safety and performance of my Kia vehicle. Over the past few months, my car has been exhibiting abnormal behavior, jeopardizing the safety of myself and other road users. One of the most alarming issues is the unpredictable acceleration and deceleration of my vehicle, especially on the highway. There have been numerous instances where it failed to respond to acceleration while changing lanes, putting me in stressful situations where I feared a potential collision. Even more troubling, my car has shut off unexpectedly multiple times during both city driving and while navigating driveways and hills. This sudden engine shutdown has exposed me to hazardous situations and increased the risk of accidents. There is also a loud knocking sound coming from the car, accompanied by sluggish driving. To my dismay, the vehicle now starts and immediately cuts off, forcing me to wait for a period of time and multiple attempts to restart the engine before it finally starts. Seeking a resolution, I took my vehicle to the Kia Service center, where they advised me that I needed a new engine, attributing the problem to sludge build-up. However, I maintain a diligent oil change schedule every three months and can provide evidence of this fact. Despite filing a claim with Kia of America, they regrettably denied my request for assistance in obtaining a new engine, placing the financial burden solely on my shoulders. This not only presents a financial hardship for me but also underscores a broader issue with Kia vehicles' quality and reliability. I am deeply concerned about the safety of Kia vehicles, and I believe that they should be subject to a thorough investigation and, if necessary, a recall. I understand that KIA has experienced problems with design of this or similar engines, causing recalls of those products, and I request NHTSA to investigate these concerns regarding the 2016 KIA Forte. My Car is available to inspect once more

NHTSA ID

11536380

Incident

May 5, 2023

I WAS SOLD A 2016 KIA FORTE WITH A BAD TRANSMISSION AND THE DEALERSHIP CANCELLED MY WARRANTY THE YEAR THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THEY CANCELLED IT UNTIL I FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO TRY TO HAVE THEM FIX IT AND THEY TOLD ME THE WARRANTY WAS CANCELED. I SPOKE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR 2016 KIA FORTE'S. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN ORDER TO GET MY SON TO HIS SPECIALISTS HE HAS SPINA BIFIDA HE NEEDS TO SEE A NEUROLOGIST, ORTHOPEDICS, UROLOGIST, ETC OVER AN HOUR AWAY NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY GONE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIR. PLEASE RECALL THIS CAR. I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH THEIR KIA'S MY MOTHER FOR EXAMPLE BACK IN 2010 SHE PURCHASED THE KIA RIO IT WAS BRAND NEW AT THE TIME AND A YEAR LATER THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD ON IT EVERY KIA TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE A HUNK OF CRAP I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE REPAIRS

NHTSA ID

11389222

Incident

May 17, 2018

TAKATA RECALL WHEN TURNING MY VEHICLE OFF THERE IS A TICKING COMING FROM THE COMPUTER WHEN SITTING STILL IT WILL CAR WILL AISLE UP IN TRY TO TAKE OFF A LITTLE WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE IT ALSO SHAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK AND L I HAVE REPORTED THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE AND THE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE MOTOR ON THE VEHICLE A LITTLE AFTER THE WARRANTY REPLACEMENT WAS DONE THE TICKING BEGIN AGAIN UNDER THE HOOD AND THE SHAKING AND EVERYTHING IS STARTING OVER AGAIN AND I KEEP TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THEY DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WHICH IS EXACTLY LIKE THE FIRST TIME WHEN I WAS START TAKING IT BEFORE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET IN MY MOTOR

NHTSA ID

11195684

Incident

Apr 9, 2019

Mileage

30,000 mi

LOW BEAMS ARE DULL NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IN THE DARK. ESTIMATED SIGHT DISTANCE OF LOW BEAM LIGHTS 200 FT. PASSENGERS IN MY CAR ASK IF I HAVE MY LIGHTS ON. ON COMING CARS FLASH THEIR LIGHTS AS A SIGNAL TO TURN ON MY LIGHTS. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGHBEAMS AFTER DUSK FOR VIABILITY AND FOR CARS ON THE ROAD TO BE ABLE TO SEE MY LIGHTS. THE ELECTRIC DASH BOARD WILL NOT ILLUMINATE AT TIMES; HAVING TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN BACK ON MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE DASHBOARD TO LIGHT UP. THE LOW BEAMS ARE CONSENT EVERY TIME I AM STATIONARY, IN MOTION, REVERSE, PARKED. THE ELECTRIC DASHBOARD IS WHEN STARTING THE CAR, STATIONARY WHEN AT RED LIGHTS WITH THE BREAK ON.

NHTSA ID

11175758

Incident

Jan 3, 2019

THE VEHICLE OF CONCERN REPORTEDLY HAD BEEN PARKED ALL DAY IN A PARKING LOT AT WORK WITH THE DOORS LOCKED AND IN PARK. AT THE END OF THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS REMOTE STARTED FROM INSIDE THE BUILDING APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET AWAY. THE VEHICLE STARTED AND THEN A FEW SECONDS LATTER IT APPARENTLY SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THEN ACCELERATED INTO THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET AWAY. THE INCIDENT WAS RECORDED ON THE BUILDING SECURITY VIDEO WHICH SHOWS THAT NO ONE ENTERED OR EXITED THE VEHICLE BEFORE OR AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. IT ALSO SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED AND THEN ROLLED FORWARD INTO THE BUILDING. THE EDR WAS IMAGED BY THE E-N-K-01-00-0027 TOOL AND NO EVENTS WERE RECORDED.

NHTSA ID

11175024

Incident

Dec 18, 2018

Mileage

17,310 mi

VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE CUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING WHILE IN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE DOESN'T ACCELERATE, IT SLOWS DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING OTHER VEHICLES TO HAVE TO DECELERATE OR GO AROUND TO AVOID HITTING ME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED BY KIA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE A COLLISION HAPPENS WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONE TIME.

NHTSA ID

11123873

Incident

Aug 31, 2018

Mileage

30,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING MY CAR, MY HEADLIGHTS ARE FLICKERING/CUTTING OFF AND ON. I"VE TALKED TO KIA MOTORS SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED. I KNOW THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11120726

Incident

Jul 13, 2018

Mileage

37,000 mi

TOO MUCH ACCLERATION ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY. THE SCREWS IN MY VISORS KEEP COMING OUT. I WAS ONLY GIVEN A DONUT TIRE UPON PURCHASE. THE PAINT ON THE CAR IS SO CHEAP I'M SEEING SCRATCHES ALL THRU THE PAINT ON MY CAR.

NHTSA ID

11081890

Incident

Mar 10, 2017

THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN DRIVING IN TOWN , IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE AFTER IDLING SUCH AS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT.

NHTSA ID

11075353

Incident

Jan 2, 2017

Mileage

2,000 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

AFTER MY 5K MILE OIL CHANGE, THIS WAS THE FIRST OIL CHANGE. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK BECAUSE OF A LOUD TICKING SOUND. I OVERHEARD THE SERVICE SUPRV SAY THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT ON FORTES. BUT, HE TRIED TO TELL ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG UNTIL I TOLD HIM WHAT I HEARD HIM SAY OVER THE WALKIE. THEN, THEY KEPT THE CAR AND CHANGED THE PULLEY SYSTEM. NOW, HERE'S ANOTHER PROBLEM. NOT SURE IF IT'S RELATED TO THE PULLEY ISSUE. 1ST TIME, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY GOING ABOUT 70MPH IN 6THGEAR AND IT POPPED OUT OF 6TH TO NEUTRAL. I LOOKED DOWN BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. I QUICKLY PUT IT BACK INTO 6TH. 2ND TIME. FEBRUARY 23RD 2017 I WAS DRIVING 75 MPH ON I-20 PASSING REDOAK, TX AND THE GEAR POPPED OUT OF 6TH INTO NEUTRAL. SCARED ME, I IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED IT BACK TO 6TH. I MADE AN APPT THE NEXT DAY AFTER THE 2ND INCIDENT AND WAD TOLD THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IF IT GETS WORSE TO BRING IT BACK. IT DID IT AGAIN ON THAT SUNDAY, MARCH 5TH 2017 WHILE I WAS DRIVING 75 - 80 MPH TO LOUISIANA. NOW, I HAVE A LOG AND WILL LOG EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS AND IM GOING TO TAKE THE LOG WITH ME WHEN I GO BACK TO KIA SERVICE DEPT.

NHTSA ID

10966009

Incident

Feb 18, 2017

Mileage

19,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA FORTE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 40 MPH. THE DEALER ADDED A FUEL ADDITIVE TO THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,300. ...UPDATED 05/19/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ID

10954860

Incident

Oct 1, 2015

Mileage

11,300 mi

WHEN YOU PUSH GAS FEED IT HESITATES THEN YOU PUSH A LITTLE MORE IT GOES TO FAST. DRIVING IN TOWN TRAFFIC IS A PROBLEM YOU PUSH GAS FEED A LITTLE IT DOESN'T WANT TO GO GIVE A LITTLE MORE GAS AND IT GOES TO FAST. WENT BACK TO DEALER SHIP ONLY HAD THE CAR AROUND 2 MONTHS THEY PUT NEW THROTTLE BODY ON, STILL HAD SAME PROBLEM. WE TRADED THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ANOTHER KIA FORTE WHICH COST US ANOTHER 3 THOUSAND DOLLARS BECAUSE CAR WAS NOT SAFE . NOW THE NEW KIA FORTE IS DOING THE SAME THING

NHTSA ID

10906732

Incident

Aug 12, 2016

Mileage

1,000 mi

THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE AT TIMES AND WHEN IT DOES IT LURCHES AND HESITATES AS I AM DRIVING AND AIR CONDITIONER FAN GOES UP AND DOWN

NHTSA ID

10905091

Incident

Jun 23, 2016

Mileage

150 mi

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW KIA FORTE 2016 ON 5/27/2016. SINCE DAY ONE, I'VE BEEN FACING A PROBLEM THAT I THINK IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT REGULAR SPEEDS, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES ACCELERATION AND EVEN IF I HIT THE GAS PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENS FOR 2-3 SECONDS AND AFTER 2-3 SECONDS, THE GAS PEDAL STARTS TO RESPOND. THIS HAS LANDED ME INTO PROBLEMS AT VARIOUS TIMES AND I ALMOST WENT TO AN ACCIDENT. 1. ONCE I WAS CHANGING LANES WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ACCELERATION OF THE CAR DROPPED AND I FELT CERTAIN THAT SOMEBODY WOULD HIT ME FROM THE SIDE BECAUSE MY CAR JUST WON'T ACCELERATE. 2. ONCE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY DROPPED ACCELERATION AND THE CAR BEHIND ME CAME SO CLOSE THAT I FEARED THAT IT WOULD HIT ME. FORTUNATELY THE OTHER CAR DRIVER REALISED MY DROPPED ACCLERATION AND SLOWED DOWN. INCIDENTS LIKE #2 HAVE HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A KIA DEALERSHIP (GERALD KIA OF NAPERVILLE, IL) BUT THEY SIMPLY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND I DON'T KNOW OF A SURE FIRE WAY TO REPRODUCE THIS PROBLEM, BUT SOMEONE HAS TO BELIEVE ME THAT IT HAPPENS ALL OF A SUDDEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND IT REALLY SCARES THE HECK OUT OF ME. SINCE THE CAR MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT HELPING ME AT ALL, I WANT TO BRING THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF THE US GOVERNMENT. I REALLY FEEL THAT THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR. I SPENT MY MONEY ON A BRAND NEW CAR BUT THE CAR MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE NOT READY TO HELP ME. MY FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE ALSO DRIVEN THIS CAR AND THEY CAN ALSO TESTIFY. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY A REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ID

10876374

Incident

May 28, 2016

Mileage

100 mi