NHTSA Complaint #11626274 — 2023 KIA EV6

While driving with the power liftgate partially open, I experienced an inability to accelerate after coming to a stop. I pressed the accelerator and the car rolled gently forward into an intersection at a speed less than 2MPH. A warning displayed on the dash that I needed to close the liftgate before the vehicle would operate correctly, which was impossible because I was in the middle of an intersection with a large chair blocking the liftgate from closing. I was able to restore functionality by turning the car off and turning it back on. Prior to this, there were audible and visual alarms about the open liftgate after each stop. These alarms are described in the manual, which instructs the driver to close the liftgate when the alarms sound. However, driving with a liftgate open is a common use for an small SUV when hauling large or long objects, and contravenes no laws when done properly and safely. The manual does not state, so I did not anticipate, that the vehicle would enter a "limp mode" if I continued to ignore the alarms. Being unexpectedly unable to accelerate is a dangerous behavior, especially if you are in the position to make a left turn across traffic and the car goes into limp mode with cars oncoming. I consider this a safety concern because 1) driving with the liftgate open is not an inherently unsafe activity that warrants disabling the vehicle, and 2) the manual fails to state that the driver might experience sudden loss of ability to accelerate with the liftgate open.