RoadVitals

2010 Kia Forte Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Apr 21, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 221 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Kia Forte submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Apr 21, 2026

My check engine light came on and I got it checked out and had a c1053 code show up. The repair shop told me I had a recall but my car is 2010 so it’s not falling within the recall year range.

NHTSA ID
11732807
Incident
Apr 21, 2026
Brakes
Filed Jan 5, 2025

Brake light switch outage keeps happening

NHTSA ID
11634184
Incident
Oct 12, 2024
Brakes
Filed Jul 24, 2024

My car was sitting in the driveway went out of park. I was able to get it stopped and pull emergency brake before any crash occurred. I seen that the brake switch was on recall and thought I should see if I can get it fixed.

NHTSA ID
11604365
Incident
Jul 23, 2024
BrakesEngineExterior lighting
Filed May 11, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving and while at a complete stop, she noticed an abnormal burning odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the third brake light assembly had melted. The mechanic replaced the third brake light assembly; however, the burning odor persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the valve cover gasket was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made abnormal rattling sounds. The dealer diagnosed that the belt tensioner needed to be replaced. The part was replaced by AAA. The contact stated that the rattling sounds were reduced; however, the burning odor persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she was concerned for her safety. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

NHTSA ID
11521569
Incident
May 11, 2022
Mileage
77,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the rear brake lights would not properly illuminate while depressing the brake pedal. After replacing the brake light bulbs, the failure recurred. The contact indicated that while depressing the brake pedal the passenger’s side brake light would not illuminate however, after releasing the brake pedal, the driver’s side brake light would turn off and the passenger’s side brake light would illuminate. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

NHTSA ID
11468585
Incident
Apr 1, 2022
Mileage
131,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed May 12, 2021

PULLING OUT DRIVE WAY GOING TO THE LEFT FELT LIKE PASSENGER WHEEL WAS LOCKING UP AND DOES IT QUITE A BIT. ALSO NTB IN CLEVELAND, TN SAID THERE WAS LOTS WRONG WITH UNDER NEATH , ALSO IT STILL FEELS LIKE IT'S RUNNING AFTER BEING CUT OFF. AND IT HAS A RIM THAT IS CRACKED AND WHEN I GOT IT I THOUGHT IT NEEDED TIRES CAUSE I HAD TO AIR TIRE EVERY DAY OR SO BUT NOW IT'S MORE THAN A FEW TIMES DAILY AND I JUST LEARNED HOW UNSAFE THAT IS TO BE DRIVING FOR MY KIDS AND I BUT FOR OTHERS AS WELL

NHTSA ID
11416288
Incident
Nov 11, 2020
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 6, 2020
Crash reported

MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT DOESN'T WORK/ASIC IS DAMAGED. TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE KEEPS LEAKING FLUID THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING A CRASH.

NHTSA ID
11378094
Incident
Dec 6, 2020
Mileage
212,435 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 16, 2019
Crash reported

AFTER BRAKING TO STOP AT RED LIGHT ON A HIGHWAY ON A HILL, KIA FORTE 2010 KEPT MOVING UPHILL AT LOW SPEED (5MPH OR LESS). BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. CAR STOPPED AFTER HITTING BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY AFTER THAT, BUT CAR SOMETIMES ROCKS AFTER BEING PUT IN PARK.

NHTSA ID
11280490
Incident
Nov 15, 2019
Mileage
74,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 4, 2019

CAR DID NOT STOP WHEN PLACED IN PARK , SHIFTERS GETS STUCK. WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN REVERSE PARK , THE CAR MOVED FORWARD INSTEAD OF REVERSE , NOT STOPING ,HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AS THE CAR WAS MOVING FORWARD ( WHILE ON REVERSE) KEPT MOVING FWD AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES WITHOUT PRESSING THE FAS PEDAL . HAD TO STOP BY USING EMERGENCY BRAKE. TURNED OFF THE CAR TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN REVERSE THE CAR KEPT MOVING DANGEROUSLY FORWARD

NHTSA ID
11277949
Incident
Nov 3, 2019
Mileage
93,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 29, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE PROGRESSING WITH NO WARNING. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND WAS UNRESPONSIVE SO THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE BRAKE PEDAL EACH TIME THE FAILURE HAPPENED. A DEALER HAD NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HAD NOT INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11143730
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
Brakes
Filed Sep 23, 2018

LEFT REAR CALIPER STUCK AT 73,000 MILES AROUND 7/3/15, OVERHEATING AND RUINING THE PAD AND ROTOR. RIGHT REAR CALIPER STUCK AT 111,500 MILES AROUND 9/20/18, OVERHEATING AND RUINING THE PAD AND ROTOR. WHILE ONE DID NOT OCCUR IN THIS CASE, A STUCK CALIPER IS A FIRE RISK AND TWICE IN THREE YEARS SEEMS TOO FREQUENT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID
11131308
Incident
Jul 3, 2015
Mileage
73,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Mar 17, 2018

TOOK MY KIA FORTE IN TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE. I HAVE THE OIL CHANGED REGULARLY JUST AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE, AND JUST HAD IT CHANGED LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AGO. THE SHOP SAID THE ENGINE HAS MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT. THEY SAID I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE RECALLS ON KIA MOTORS AND THEY SAID THAT MY ENGINE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST BUT THAT THERE ARE MANY OF THE SAME MOTORS THAT ARE FAILING AND I WOULD HAVE TO CALL KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO FIND OUT IF MAYBE THEY WILL ADD MY ENGINE. I SEE NOTHING BUT WHERE OTHER KIA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH BOTH THE 2L & 2.4L ENGINE AND KIA IS BEING NASTY ABOUT REPLACING THEM. I AM VERY UPSET AS MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THEIR RECALL AND KNOW THAT IT SHOULD BE.

NHTSA ID
11079951
Incident
Mar 16, 2018
Mileage
130,000 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Nov 29, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE BULB FAILED, WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED WITHIN THE HOLSTER, AND HAD FALLEN INTO THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MADE THE CONTACT AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MANEUVER FROM THE PARK POSITION. A TOW COMPANY WAS CALLED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE TOW DRIVER SHOWED THE CONTACT A TRICK TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT THEN NOTIFIED UNIVERSAL KIA HICKORY HOLLOW (5406 TARGET DR, ANTIOCH, TN, 37013) AND UNIVERSAL KIA RIVERGATE (1536 GALLATIN PIKE N, MADISON, TN, 37115) OF THE FAILURES. THE DEALERS CONFIRMED THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11051160
Incident
Jun 1, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 3, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT VERTICALLY WHEN I NEEDED TO GIVE THE CAR SOME GAS RATHER THAN JUST LIFT FOOT OFF BRAKE TO GET OUT OF SPOT. THE CAR DELAYED--WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I TRIED AGAIN AND IT SHOT OUT RAPIDLY UNCONTROLLABLY OUT OF THE SPOT, SIDE SWIPING THE CAR NEXT TO ME AND GOING INTO A REVERSE FIGURE EIGHT SWERVING OVER PARKING LOT AND WOULD NOT BRAKE. THE CAR ENDED UP SWERVING INTO THE BACK OF A PARKED RANGE ROVER AS I THREW MY CAR INTO PARK SINCE IT WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WAS ANOTHER COMPLAINT LIKE MINE ON LINE ABOUT SOMEONE WITH THE SAME MODEL AND ABOUT 38 K ON CAR WHOSE CAR ACCELERATION DID THIS MOVING GOING FORWARD. I ENDED UP WITH SUSTAINED INJURIES WITH BODY OUT OF ALIGNMENT, HIP, AND BACK PAIN. NO ONE ELSE WAS HURT BECAUSE NO ONE WAS IN PARKING LOT OR CARS.

NHTSA ID
10745799
Incident
Jul 15, 2015
Mileage
30 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 5, 2014

I RECENTLY HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS ON MY 2010 KIA FORTE. IT WAS NOT DUE TO BRAKE WEAR OR ANY OF THE NORMAL BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM WAS ALL MY BRAKES SEIZED UP AND THE REAR ONES IN PARTICULAR HEATED UP TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WERE CLOSE TO FAILING. THE DEALER SAID IT MAY HAVE NOT OCCURRED, IF THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN MORE MILES DAILY YET NO FURTHER INFORMATION COULD BE PROVIDED ON THE BRAKE ISSUE. I LIVE IN AN AREA THAT HAS MANY CLASSIC CARS AND MY WIFE?S OWN AUNT OWNED A CAR EVEN THOUGH SHE COULD NOT DRIVE IT IN HER LATER YEARS, SO IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO WOULD DRIVE HER TO APPOINTMENTS AND ELSEWHERE. AS LONG AS A VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN DAILY, WHICH THIS WAS, I DON?T BELIEVE THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED. KIA MOTORS ALSO DID NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED AND COULD PROVIDE NO EXPLANATION. I AM WRITING TO YOU BECAUSE OF MY CONCERNS OF POSSIBLE BRAKE FAILURE AND THAT THE BRAKE PARTS SUPPLIED ON THE KIA APPARENTLY DO NOT CONTAIN ANY ANTI-CORROSIVE MATERIALS OF ANY TYPE AND THE INTENSE HEAT CAUSED MY BRAKE FLUID TO BECOME CONTAMINATED. FROM SERVICE ORDER: CUSTOMER STATES WHEN DRIVING SOMETIMES RIGHT AND LEFT WHEEL BREAKS GET VERY HOT; INSPECTED FRONT AND REAR BRAKES FOUND PADS ARE STUCK IN THE ANCHORS AND NEEDS SLIDE SERVICE WHILE PERFORMING SERVICE FOUND REAR PADS GOT SO HOT THEY ARE SEPARATING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED; PERFORMED FRONT AND REAR CALIPER SLIDE SERVICE AND REPLACED REAR PADS ALL WORKING AS INTENDED AT THIS TIME. FLUSH OLD FLUID FROM SYSTEM, CHECK LINKAGE AND HOSES, BLEED AIR FROM SYSTEM, ROAD TEST; PERFORMED BRAKE FLUID FLUSH AS NEEDED, FLUSH CONTAMINATED FLUID, INSTALLED FRESH FLUID AND BLED SYSTEM AS REQUIRED, ROAD TESTED OK *TR

NHTSA ID
10641531
Incident
Jun 23, 2014
Mileage
10,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 10, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA FORTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10555413
Incident
Sep 15, 2013
Mileage
42,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceExterior lighting
Filed Oct 14, 2013

ESC LIGHT STAYS ON, BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK, AND CRUISE CONTROL WORKS SPORADICALLY, ALL FUSES ARE WORKING, A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REFLECTS THAT THE A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MIGHT BE THE CAUSE, WHICH IN FACT IT WAS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10547867
Incident
Oct 14, 2013
Mileage
31,000 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 31, 2013

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND A MAN FLAGGED ME DOWN AT A RED LIGHT TO LET ME KNOW THAT NONE OF MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE WORKING. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE CRUISE CONTROL AS WELL AS TRACTION CONTROL BUTTONS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY ISSUE WITH THE FUSES. IF I CAN NOT FIND A FIX TO THIS PROBLEM IT MAY RESULT IN MYSELF GETTING REAR ENDED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10532871
Incident
Jul 30, 2013
Mileage
30,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed May 20, 2013

UPON PARKING MY VEHICLE, I COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE OR NEUTRAL, RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND REMOVE MY KEYS. AS I WAS UNABLE TO DO THIS, I COULD NOT LEAVE MY VEHICLE AND FEARED IT COULD ROLL FROM ITS PARKING SPOT. AT THIS TIME, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT COMING ON WHEN I WOULD PRESS THE BRAKES. ALSO, MY ESC CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON INDICATING THIS FUNCTION WAS NO LONGER WORKING. WHEN TALKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, I LEARNED THERE IS AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH OTHER MODELS THAT HAS RESULTED IN A RECALL. HOWEVER, MY FORTE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO RESTART MY VEHICLE OVER FIFTEEN MINUTES, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK. HOWEVER, MY ESC LIGHT REMAINED ON AFTER THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10512878
Incident
May 20, 2013
Mileage
26,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 12, 2012

WHILE DRIVING FROM MY KIDS PEDIATRICIAN OFFICE. I NOTICED THE TRACTION CONTROL STAYED OFF AND WOULD NOT TURN ON. THAT AFFECTED MY BRAKE LIGHTS. I NOTICED THAT SAME PART IS PUT AS A RECALL FOR THE SORENTO AND SOUL BUT NOT FOR THE FORTE. IF IT IS THE SAME RECALL THE FORTE SHOULD BE INCLUDED. FOR THE VEHICLE BEING ONLY TWO YEARS OLD IT SHOULD BE COVERED AS A RECALL AND DUE TO THE SAFETY IMPACT THAT IT MAY CAUSE REAR END COLLISION DUE TO THE DRIVER NOT NOTICING THAT THE TCS AFFECTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10488088
Incident
Dec 12, 2012
Mileage
65,555 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .