What 134 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Forte Koup

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.

NHTSA ODI 11694440

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.

NHTSA ODI 11684559

My headlights blank on and off like a christmas tree. I put them on auto or the running lights and they do the same things. The dashboard lights do the same things inside the car. It also happen when I turn my turn signal on or put my car on bright or dim them.

NHTSA ODI 11555515

The headlights flicker off when the turn signal is applied and also sometimes on bumps in the road. This could be very dangerous because there are no headlights when they’re supposed to be on. The dealer told me that they’ve seen that issue before, but told me there’s no recalls on my model and year, so I have to pay to replace a multi function part. I wrote to Kia as well and they told me since my car is out of warranty, it’s up to me to fix that and pay. I don’t even have 50,000 miles on my car! And this problem is not due to me but due to a malfunction of the car. I researched this and see that there are other models of Kia that have the same issue that were recalled to repair by Kia. I have attached information from the web about a recall for Kia’s that is the same year as my car, but a different model. There are no warning lights when this happens, so I have to pay attention to make sure the lights come back on. I have also attached the case number from Kia in which they told me they are not responsible for this.

NHTSA ODI 11483549

ALL LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING , HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES TURN OFF WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS USED. DASH LIGHTS WILL FLICKER EVEN WHILE PARKED.

NHTSA ODI 11232895

"TAKATA RECALL". MY HEADLIGHT WIRING ON THE DRIVER SIDE KEEPS MELTING AND BLOWING THE BULBS WHICH ARE NOT CHEAP. HAD IT FIXED SEVERAL TIMES BUT IT IS STILL HAPPENING. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD TO ME AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 11187456

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 ODI 11175758

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 ODI 10924524

NOTICE MY LIGHTS WOULD GO ON & OFF ON DASH BOARD DURING G DAY TIMES THINKING CAR HAD DIMMING EFFECTS, THEN NOTICE WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF & LIGHTS SHOULD BE OFF THEY WOULD STAY ON. THEN I WOULD BE SITTING OUTSIDE LOOK AT CAR & LIGHTS WOULD JUST COME ON BY THEMSELVES. THE WORST I WAS TRYING & HEADLIGHTS & INSIDES LIGHTS WENT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND CONTINUE TO DO SO. I'M SCARED FOR ME AND MY FAMILY SAFETY. I DONT EVEN WANT THE CAR ANYMORE AND SOMETIMES SMELLS LIKE THERE'S ELECTRICAL BURNING OR SOMETHING DONT KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT.

NHTSA ODI 10872288