2016 Kia Forte acceleration problems

Filed Jan 10, 2026 · Acceleration, Airbags · OH

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.

Filed Aug 2, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · IN

Vehicle issued dtc's p1326 and car failed completely in the middle of a very busy expressway

Filed Jan 25, 2024 · Acceleration · NY

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.

Filed Aug 3, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

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 the federal safety agency to investigate these concerns regarding the 2016 KIA Forte. My Car is available to inspect once more

Filed Jan 21, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · PA

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

Filed Feb 7, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 17,310 miles · TN · crash

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.

Filed Aug 31, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 30,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Mar 28, 2018 · Acceleration, Body · NC

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.

Filed Feb 28, 2018 · Acceleration, Transmission · 2,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Mar 15, 2017 · Acceleration, Suspension · 19,000 miles · TX

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.