2016 Kia Forte

While driving on I-95 at 60mph the car began to jump as it attempted to shift gears and the speed stalled to where it slowed down to 20mph and would not go any faster. The car slowed while I was in the fast lanes of the highway and I had to work my way to the right to the slower lanes to avoid abusing traffic congestion or any accidents. It was scary. Separately, my engine light has been on for the last year. I recently had the MAPs replaced and the light went off for two days and came back. It’s a steady continuous light, no flashing. The analysis check gives some other reason for the light but when checked it doesn’t fix the issue.

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.

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.

Headlights shut off entirely multiple times when switching to high beams on dark road, almost causing an accident. Multi-function switch failing the exact way the Sorento switches are failing, confirmed by mechanic. This is a severe hazard when driving at night. There was no warning whatsoever.

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed and then stalled. The contact stated that the "Battery" symbol was illuminated on the instrument cluster. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine connecting rod bearings had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

I own a 2016 Kia Forte LX and have been experiencing repeated and dangerous electrical failures with the headlight and lighting system. When I turn on the headlights, they sometimes do not come on at all, or they shut off unexpectedly while driving. In some cases, using the turn signal causes the headlights to cut out completely. The interior dash lights flicker between dim and bright, and the tail lights are also affected. This is a serious safety hazard because it results in sudden and complete loss of exterior lighting (headlights and tail lights) while the vehicle is in motion at night. It significantly increases the risk of an accident. Online owner forums and repair shops confirm this issue is widespread in Kia vehicles, often traced to a failing multifunction headlight/turn signal switch. Despite the frequency of these failures, there has been no recall issued by Kia. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this defect in the 2016 Kia Forte and related models, as it directly compromises driver and passenger safety.

I purchased the 2016 Kia Forte on [XXX] from Bald Hill Kia in Warwick, RI. Within the first 30 days, there was a knocking noise which turned out to be the knocking sensor. I took the car to be checked on 11/1/2022 and paid to replace the knock sensor. On [XXX], the knock sensor acted up again so the knock sensor had to be replaced again. They also found a small evap leak and the charcoal canister was cracked and replaced. On 12/9/2022, the engine assembly was replaced. On [XXX], the check engine light came on and the O2 sensor was replaced. On 1/5/2023, the catalytic converter had to be replaced. On 1/16/2023, the canister purge valved was replaced. On 8/29/2023, the catalytic converter had to be replaced again. On 6/11/2024, the catalytic converter had to be replaced a third time! Over a year passed and on Saturday afternoon on [XXX] the check engine light turned on again and Kia was closed on Sunday so I took the car to Firestone for a diagnostic test and it turned out that it was the catalytic converter for the 4th time. I dropped off the car in 8/4/2025 and I'm waiting to see if the car can get looked at this week to confirm the problem for a 4th time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Instrument panel lighting and radio lighting flicker constantly while driving. When the headlights are on, the headlights will also turn and off on their own, constantly. Because of this, I can not drive this car at night, in the early morning, in the rain, or whenever my headlights are needed. From what I've surmised, the issue seems to be the multifunction switch, which, coincidentally, Kia has an active recall on for one of their other models.

1. NHTSA Safety Complaint Draft Vehicle Info: Make: Kia Model: Forte5 SX Year: 2016 VIN: [XXX] Engine: 1.6L GDI (G4FJ Nu engine) Issue: This vehicle uses the 1.6L GDI Nu engine (engine code G4FJ), which is the same engine involved in Kia’s engine defect recalls and class action settlements related to connecting rod bearing failure and engine seizure risks. However, Kia is refusing to provide the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) update, and no internal campaigns or recalls are listed for my VIN despite the identical mechanical risk. I purchased the vehicle in 2017 and was unaware of the extended warranty and safety campaigns until now. I am experiencing symptoms of rough idle and pre-knock concerns, and yet Kia and my local dealership are unwilling to escalate my case or even verify warranty eligibility. This defect poses a risk of sudden engine failure and should be addressed under expanded recall coverage. I am requesting NHTSA investigate inclusion of later-production 2016 vehicles like mine, which clearly share the same defective power train. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal to merge onto the highway, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 15 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an auto parts store, where it was scanned, and DTC: P1326; was retrieved. The contact stated that the code indicated a Knock Sensor Detection system failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the manufacturer had advised the dealer not to diagnose the vehicle due to an incomplete oil change history. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

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 it’s not covered. It has 98,289 miles

We have a 2016 Kia Forte 5 that did not meet the criteria when the other 2016 Kia Forte's were recalled due to engine failure as it has a 2.0L engine. On or about [XXX], while driving this vehicle, the car lost all power and came to a stop on a busy highway. It still had electrical power, but failed to accelerate and we lost the ability to steer or control the car. We were able to get it off the road and called for a tow. The car was towed to a repair shop and we were informed that the engine failed, and needed to be replaced. This is the same situation that is occurring with the current Kia engine recalls. The garage attempted to contact Kia and we were told that due to the car not selling well in the US, it was considered a niche vehicle, and therefore no recalls were made. The car was in perfect running order with no signs of failure, no lights on the dashboard to warn of a malfunctioning component, and no audible sounds of a failing engine. Our safety, as well as others, was put at risk due to the car losing all power on a 55mph road that is heavily travelled and could cause an accident. The engine was inspected by a certified mechanic and all they can determine is that the engine failed and it needs to be replaced. This placed my wife in a dangerous situation that could have ended badly. To date, the car has been towed back to our home and sits in our driveway as there is no current fix to it, but the reason for the original recall on the 1.6L engines, and the current recall on Kia engines, is the same that occurred with this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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.

The fuel input is not working properly. Will not allow fuel to go into fuel tank. Risk of fuel spilling and fire hazard.

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.

I was two states away at conference for my side job. My car turned off without warning. No lights no nothing. I couldn't use my hazards or anything. It was dark outside already. I called AAA and the person with me called 911. Someone stopped and jumped me off. We got back to the hotel. The next day another consultants husband looked at my car and we discovered there was no oil in the engine. I had driven more than 450 miles to get to conference the day before by myself. The oil light had never came on during my trip. It only came on when my entire instrument panel lit up when the car cutoff. I am a female and was traveling by myself and put over 1100 miles on my car that trip. If it had turned off at any point on my trip before I had gotten to my destination I would have been alone and not known what to do. If I had not had AAA I would have possible had to pay a tow truck that night. I am disappointed that the light didn't give me a warning something was wrong or going wrong. Luckily, I didn't blow my engine

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

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.

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'.

Vehicle is having same symptoms as recalled Kia’s with Nu engine. My engine is consuming oil. I brought it to Kia dealership to have it diagnost and piston rings are not working as they should. This will lead to engine failure. This problem is what is occurring on the recalled Kia’s. I have not had the vehicle for long & am very disappointed in what is going on. I want something done & to have this reported for the other Kia’s who are experiencing the symptoms that don’t have their VIN called. I had my vehicle looked at Cartown Kia in Florence, SC. My tech was Robert & service rep was Kelcey.