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.
28
Latest Jul 31, 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.
18%
of 153 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.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
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 2011 Kia Forte submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 28 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
The 25 most recent of 28, in the owner's own words
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, a bystander went into the contact's place of employment and stated that there was a fire inside the vehicle in the parking lot. The contact became aware that his vehicle was the one on fire. No warning lights were illuminated prior to parking the vehicle. The cause of the failure was unknown. The contact's wife attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher but was unable to extinguish the fire. The contact called the Fire Department, and the firemen were able to extinguish the fire and were required to remove the dashboard in order to extinguish it. The Fire Department filed a report. A Police report was filed. The contact stated that his wife sought medical attention for smoke inhalation. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.
NHTSA ID
11754070
Incident
Jul 31, 2026
Mileage
300,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the TPMS, red brake light, and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was jumping and jerking during acceleration and deceleration. After restarting the vehicle, there was resistance while accelerating, and the jerking persisted. The contact stated that the failures started one week after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was then driven to a dealer, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 273,000.
NHTSA ID
11720801
Incident
Feb 25, 2026
Mileage
273,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from under the hood, and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact noticed a burning odor in the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed pollution control system. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken for the State Inspection, and the vehicle failed the inspection due to a failed pollution system. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that the failure described in the recall notification indicated a possible engine fire. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
NHTSA ID
11708830
Incident
Nov 5, 2023
Mileage
85,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 21, 2025
Fire reported
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an unusual ticking sound and smoke coming from under the hood. In addition, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed smoke that was coming from the HECU fuse box. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for three weeks without any communication from the dealer. The contact was unsure if the vehicle had been inspected or not. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA ID
11694817
Incident
Sep 23, 2025
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 18, 2024
Recalls
NHTSA ID
11620503
Incident
Oct 18, 2024
Brakes
Filed Jul 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning wiring odor inside the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 28,800. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA ID
11599217
Incident
Jun 28, 2024
Mileage
28,800 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were available, an appointment was made. The contact stated when she arrived for the appointment, after waiting for 3 hours, the dealer made her aware that the part was not available and that the system was down. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact attempted to make the manufacturer aware of the issue, however; the contact only had the option to hear an automated recording. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA ID
11596116
Incident
Nov 14, 2023
BrakesEngine
Filed Jun 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the check engine, ABS, and Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) warning lights were illuminated. There was a burning odor emitting from underneath the hood near the engine compartment. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 200,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA ID
11594423
Incident
Sep 25, 2023
Mileage
200,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 25, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ID
11585223
Incident
Apr 25, 2024
Brakes
Filed Apr 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ID
11583139
Incident
Apr 15, 2024
Brakes
Filed Apr 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ID
11581068
Incident
Apr 4, 2024
Brakes
Filed Mar 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ID
11576685
Incident
Sep 25, 2023
Brakes
Filed Mar 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ID
11575535
Incident
Mar 5, 2024
Brakes
Filed Feb 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ID
11569594
Incident
Feb 2, 2024
Brakes
Filed Jan 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ID
11568736
Incident
Sep 25, 2023
Brakes
Filed Jan 10, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ID
11564546
Incident
Jan 10, 2024
Brakes
Filed Nov 27, 2023
Fire reported
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact stated that he had parked the vehicle and upon walking towards the vehicle, he noticed that the front end of the vehicle had caught on fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report and a police report were filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it was totaled. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) that he related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA ID
11557041
Incident
Jun 6, 2023
Brakes
Filed Nov 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that there was a burning odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ID
11556652
Incident
Sep 25, 2023
Mileage
130,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 30, 2023
No incident yet, but I see other Kia's that have been recalled for powertrain system and air bag issues. The power train issue comes up when I get my engine light checked and the airbag light is on. Also, a constant problem is the break switch, the push button car won't start sometimes and the steering wheel doesnt lock because immobilizer Is a problem and other Kia's have been recalled but not mine, instead they sent me a wheel car lock. I see online so many people complaining about the push button car not starting like mine which may be due to the immobilizer issue and theft. It is annoying to see other vehicle recalled but not mine.
NHTSA ID
11535370
Incident
Jul 26, 2023
BrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 16, 2021
BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN CAR IS OFF, I HAVE TO PUSH UP ON BRAKE PEDAL TO TURN IT OFF. WHILE DRIVING IT SEEMS LIKE THE BRAKE ENGAGES CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE POWER, I HAVE TO STEP OFF THE GAS, AND REAPPLY AND SOMETIMES IT STILL FEELS LIKE THE BRAKE IS STILL ENGAGED. THIS ISSUE DOES HAPPEN AT LEAST 3 TIMES DAILY. PUSHING UP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES GET IT TO STOP UNTIL I HAVE TO BRAKE. WHILE DRIVING MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TWICE IN 2021, THINKING THIS WOULD FIX THE ISSUE AND IT DOES NOT. HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS
NHTSA ID
11408500
Incident
Mar 15, 2021
Mileage
200,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 4, 2020
BRAKE LINE BURST NEAR CENTER OF CAR WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. MAINTAINED ENOUGH BRAKE PRESSURE TO COME TO A SAFE STOP. INVESTIGATION REVEALED EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF BRAKE LINES RUNNING FROM FRONT TO REAR OF VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY AT CONTACT POINTS WITH EACH RESTRAINT. *TR
NHTSA ID
11327224
Incident
Jun 2, 2020
Mileage
110,000 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed May 21, 2019
BRAKE LIGHT STAY ON ALL THE TIME EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT OFF
NHTSA ID
11209149
Incident
May 21, 2019
AirbagsBrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 15, 2019
I GOT INTO AN AUTO ACCIDENT A YEAR AGO AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. I DISCOVERED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS STILL DRIVABLE BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER ONE. WELL JUST THE OTHER DAY MY INSIDE DASH LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS , WELL BASICALLY ALL LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING IN AND OUT. MADE THE CAR BREAK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY. NEW FUEL PUMP, CHECKED STARTER AND ALTERNATOR. ALL OF THOSE ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. BUT MY CAR IS STILL BROKE DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
NHTSA ID
11170159
Incident
Jan 13, 2019
Mileage
150,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesEngine
Filed Oct 28, 2015
TOOK MY 2011 KIA FORTE INTO THE KIA DEALERSHIP TODAY BECAUSE THE ENGINE IS MAKING A TICKING SOUND. I HAVE HAD TWO OTHER MECHANICS IN RECENT WEEKS TELL ME IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE LIFTERS AND/OR THE PISTONS INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE KIA MECHANIC REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A TICKING SOUND, BUT IN FORMED ME THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY $1100 TO HAVE THE AIR BAG SENSOR REPAIRED BEFORE I CAN SELL THE CAR. ALSO, MY BRAKES WILL OCCASIONALLY MAKE A VERY LOUD 'THUMP' WHEN I APPLY THEM, BUT THE KIA DEALER CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM.
NHTSA ID
10786802
Incident
Oct 28, 2015
Mileage
91,700 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 24, 2015
CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. I HAD NO IDEA AT THE TIME WHAT THE ISSUE COULD BE BECAUSE IN THE KIA OWNERS MANUAL IT DOES NOT STATE THAT ONCE THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT, YOU CAN NOT TAKE IT OUT OF PARK. CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR UNTIL I USED THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE TO TAKE IT OUT OF GEAR. DROVE IT HOME AND FOUND A BLOWN FUZE (BRAKE LIGHT FUSE) .. REPLACED IT AND DROVE FINE (WHILE IT WAS DOING THIS THE ELECTRICAL SUSPENSION LIGHT CAME ON ALSO). FAST FORWARD 7 DAYS, WAS DRIVING OUT OF TOWN AND THE SUSPENSION LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AND I KNEW THEN THE ISSUE WAS BACK. SURE ENOUGH. HAD TO TAKE IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP OUT OF TOWN .. THEY REPLACED MY FUZE, BRAKE LIGHT BULB AND BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY SWITCH. FAST FORWARD A WEEK AND A HALF AND THE PROBLEM IS BACK ... KIA IS TELLING ME OVER $1000 AND I'M NOT GOING TO BE GUARANTEED THAT THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER AND PURCHASED THIS CAR BECAUSE I FELT IT WOULD BE A SAFE CAR FOR ME AND MY SON AND NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT IS NOT SAFE ... NO BRAKE LIGHTS ARE SERIOUSLY NOT SAFE AT ALL!!! *JS
NHTSA ID
10690252
Incident
Feb 6, 2015
Mileage
87,721 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