2014 Kia Forte Brake Problems

28 owners have reported brakes problems with the 2014 Kia Forte to NHTSA — 6% of all 444 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 70,000 miles. That ranks #4 of 15 Forte model years for brake complaints (a typical year has 8). One related recall has been issued.

28complaints
70ktypical miles
1related recalls
5crashes
0fires
7injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    633%
  • 25k–50k
    00%
  • 50k–75k
    422%
  • 75k–100k
    16%
  • 100k–150k
    422%
  • 150k+
    317%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Kia Forte owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating as intended. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be diagnosed to determine the cause of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 249,000.

249,000 miles · Jan 2026

I have been trying to have my brakes line repair for a recall for over a year with the local Kia dealer as they refused to see me for over a year due to not buying vehicle there. I lost my brakes due to the recall on the lines and not being able to get an appointment. I almost died when my brakes went out. I called the local Kia dealer was told again I had to wait and that no promises could be months before touch the car. I had to fix it so I had it brought to an outside shop and submitted for reimbursement it has been over 60days no updates and no communication with the Kia claims department. I was told my claim would take about 30 days now we are almost at 60 with no updates when I call they say Derrick will call me back. No return emails or calling. My claim number is [redacted] with rental I paid almost $1800 for repairs that should have been covered along with a rental. …

Sep 2025

I had a brake system failure of some sort happen today. My life and the lives of many others were put in extreme danger. I was driving at about 40 MPH and was approaching a red light. I pressed down on my brake pedal to begin slowing down, but I got absolutely nothing in response. Out of panic, I pumped my brake pedal. This again, did not slow me down at all and my brake pedal fell to the floor then went stiff. After it fell to the floor and went stiff, I pumped and pressed down on it again with all of my strength, at which point I was able to get a very small response and slow myself down to a stop. This is the 4th time this has happened to me in the past 45 days, I took the car to a local AAA shop but they found zero issues with my braking system (cylinders, fluid, lines, drums, pads, etc.) There has never been a warning light of any kind related to my brakes, wheels, etc. …

Dec 2025

The vehicle lost braking ability while being operated on the roadway. The brake pedal went to the floor, and the brake warning light came on. The operator was able to push hard on the brake pedal enough to eventually bring the vehicle to a safe stop. Upon inspection it was determined that the brake system had lost all brake fluid due to corrosion of one of the rear brake lines at the site of the retainer clip. There is also advanced corrosion on the other rear brake line at the site of the retainer clips. KIA already initiated a voluntary recall for this issue on KIA Forte's 2010-2013, but the problem obviously exists for later model KIA Forte vehicles. This vehicle was only operated in NY during winter months for two years, in 2018 and 2019, so this level of corrosion on the brake lines should not have occurred. This brake failure could have easily caused a serious accident and injury.

Mar 2023

My vehicle was leaking fluid, so I took it in and discovered that my vehicle's ABS module failed in what was described to me as an "unusual way" at both the initial garage where I took it and, later, to the dealership, which was the only place that could do the actual repair. Some research showed that the failure matched the way this component failed in Kia and Hyundais that were recalled for this issue, which the dealership acknowledged. But my specific car wasn't included in the recall, so I had to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket to repair it. Since then, I've been waiting for the recall to expand to include my vehicle so I could be reimbursed, because it seems very unlikely my vehicle didn't get the same flawed system that was recalled in the other Kias and Hyundais. I'm told submitting this could help.

Jul 2023

My wife's 2014 Kia Forte brakes went on me without warning, they went all the way to the floor and I immediately knew it was a hydraulic problem. the vehicle has just over 2500 actual miles on it. It was towed to a dealership were they determined it was a hydraulic issue and there was a recall on brake lines corrosion prematurely, I saw no leaks but the service manager told us that there was a manufacturer recall for that issue. Our vehicle has been at that dealership for 30 days already awaiting replacement parts with no progress, it will be months April 14, 2023. I need to know if the recall is valid.

Feb 2023

Takata recall needs to recall the breaks on the 2014 Kia Forte. On novemeber 21st 2016 I totalled my Kia due to failure of manafacurer breaks they didnt stop me and I rear ended a car which hot another that hit another. The speed control on the car is very hard to control I bearly push on fhe gas and it zoomed off t went from 0-30 really quick. Durring the wreck I was going approximately 25-30 MPH which when I hit the car due to the breaks failing my car bouced off of it and the airbags never deployed. The road was dry it was dark outside ot was 5:58 am and very clear outside. The roads were very dry not slick at alll my car jolted as the breaks tried to stop me but they never atopped me. It was on a back road heading to take my husband to work.

64,000 miles · Nov 2016 · crash · 3 injuries

My daughter had a car crash on July 22, 2017 due to brakes not working properly. Air bags did not deploy. She was driving on the interstate in tuscaloosa, al and there were no other drivers on the road thank god. Her car hydroplaned and hit a railing. She could have been killed. Unknown about the fault or problem that created the unsafe condition. Her car is at a body shop in alabama so I will obtain repair invoices and police accident report as soon as possible. My daughter does not have car insurance.

0 miles · Jul 2017 · crash

The problems with the brakes happen when the car is in motion and on both sides of the vehicle. The rear caliper guide pins were frozen by corrosion, preventing the cylinder to extend and engage the brake pads on the rotor. This resulted in the lose of any rear braking action. When the anti-lock braking would engage due to lost road contact, (ie. Icy or bumpy/rough roads) there was no braking action at all. During normal driving, the rear brakes being frozen, the car relies solely on the front calipers to stop the car. No accidents happened during this time. I decided to replace the rear pads and noticed when I removed the wheel I found the rear rotor was rusted and pitted due to no contact with the pads. When I removed the caliper assembly the pins were frozen in place and could not be be freed. This required that the whole assembly needed to be replaced. …

70,000 miles · Aug 2018

Car had began burning through oil rapidly but upon inspection at oil changes, no leak or cause could be detected. The oil light indicator never came on either. The car would begin ticking while driving, and noticeably drove differently but problem could not be determined. No check engine light ever came on. On a clear day while driving about 45 MPH on highway, vehicle gave a loud and forceful jerk and popping sound, and promptly lost power and speed, and the brakes quit working. I was fortunate to pull off and use ebrake to stop car once coasted to a safer spot. I could have been rear ended. The car had once again burned through all oil with no indication from the panel, and I was told the engine had blown. …

112,000 miles · Oct 2019

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages

NHTSA recall 17V-773 · Dec 1, 2017 · 134,366 vehicles

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Forte and Forte Koup vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.

Brake complaints in other Forte years

’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’241929523728161084422242
Brake complaints per model year, Kia Forte.

Frequently asked questions

How common are brake problems on the 2014 Kia Forte?

NHTSA has 28 complaints about the brakes of the 2014 Kia Forte, 6% of the model year's 444 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2014 Kia Forte brake problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-773 (pedals and linkages, Dec 1, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2014 Kia Forte brake problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.