Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 8% | — |
| 2023 | 4 | 6% | — |
| 2022 | 2 | 7% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 3% | 103,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 3% | 63,000 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 3% | 0 miles |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 2016 | 10 | 7% | 118,000 miles |
| 2015 | 16 | 6% | 56,000 miles |
| 2014 | 28 | 6% | 70,000 miles |
| 2013 | 37 | 19% | 82,000 miles |
| 2012 | 52 | 18% | 82,000 miles |
| 2011 | 29 | 19% | 110,000 miles |
| 2010 | 19 | 9% | 73,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Good morning, I want to report extreme safety concerns about my KIA Forte GT - Line 2023.When I first came home with the car days later the car shut off in the middle of the street while driving just one house up from my house. I attempted to turn it back on and the car would not turn back on and it automatically proceeded to call roadside assistance.I immediately informed the dealership. The car often hesitates, fails to shift and turns completely off. Last Sunday on December 11, 2022 I was about to get on the Roosevelt Boulevard expressway while I was on a street which is a hill that leads me to the expressway going about a reasonable distance. My car proceeded to roll backwards on the hill. I immediately thought to myself this is a huge safety concern. The incident that occurred on December 13,2022 in front of my house was a dealbreaker for me. …
My 2023 Kia Forte keeps automatically braking and coming to a complete stop when pulling out of a parking space. It does it in drive and in reverse. On January 4, 2024 I was pulling out of a parking spot on the road and when my front end was completely in the road the car came to a complete stop and I came very close to causing a collision with another vehicle. I've had it to the dealership for service 4 times and they duplicated the problem on my first visit and told me they feel my car stopped because it detected a curb and their resolution was to turn off the front end collision assistance safety feature. On the 3rd visit they said my tires did not even roll because I had snow in my wheel wells and that's why my car stops but my wheels roll I drove my car there. …
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle shut off and independently restarted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed of a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) engine compartment failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown manufacturer's recall. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall and the vehicle had to be repaired out-of-pocket. The failure mileage was 8,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear brake lights failed to illuminate while depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the A/C was blowing hot air. Additionally, the front and rear passenger's side windows were rolling down independently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously in a crash, and the frame was overheating. The contact confirmed that the vehicle did not have a Salvage Title. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,900.
Brakes completely locked up during my attempt to stop the vehicle does have abs and that is supposed to allow the wheels to keep moving so that you can try to maneuver and when I made contact with the other vehicle the airbag never deployed
ABS light, parking break light, tire pressure light, ESC light, and outdoor temperature and climate control all flicker and the speedometer stops working. Multiple cars with same make and model have same issue and are constantly in and out of the dealer with the issue unresolved.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where unknown sensors were replaced. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. Additionally, the ABS warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Forte. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
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.
NHTSA investigations
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Forte years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (52), 2013 (37), 2011 (29), 2014 (28) and 2010 (19) model years. Brake complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Kia Forte brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 23V-652 (control unit/module, Sep 25, 2023); 17V-773 (pedals and linkages, Dec 1, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Forte brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 32% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock › abs warning light (2 mentions), followed by the foundation components › drum › wheel cylinders (1).
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.