2013 Kia Forte Brakes Problems

The system that is failing are the brakes and the tail lights. They used to be an open recall for the brake pedal stopper pad, however I’m not sure if that part is able to break again because in October I remember hitting the break and something I heard a crack down by the pedal, but I wasn’t able to see if anything had broken. I can’t check after that. I’ve have had continuous issues with my tail lights. The tail lights won’t turn on. They’ll turn on sometimes sometimes they won’t. The tail lights will stay on. I won’t blink when I break. They’ll just stay on one of them will be on the others will be off.

NHTSA ID

11724344

Incident

Oct 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the brake pedal failed to operate as needed and depressed to the floorboard without warning. As a result of the brake failure, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact stated that both front driver and front passenger seat belts failed to retract as both she and her son were violently jerked forward upon impact. The air bags deployed upon impact. A police report was filed. Both the contact and her son were treated for minor pain and bruising at a local hospital. The whereabouts of the other driver are unknown. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, where the contact was given an estimate for the repair. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer had yet been notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that there were two recalls on the vehicle, NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V773000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics). The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the independent mechanic, where it could be salvaged. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.

NHTSA ID

11709918

Incident

Dec 20, 2025

Mileage

159,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to 55-70 MPH. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal slightly, the vehicle came to a complete stop. The ABS, traction control, and ECU warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V773000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the residence, where the contact opened the hood and noticed an abnormal burning odor and smoke. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the battery had failed, and the HECU fuse box had melted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11604214

Incident

Jun 22, 2024

Mileage

150,000 mi

I recently discovered that my car has a could safety recalls, regarding the HECU possibly having a short, and a brittle brake switch stopper. I called my local Kia dealer - Cartown Kia in Nicholasville, KY - about this issue, and was informed that it might not potentially be fixed for upwards of 2 months (2 weeks of I show up with my car today). This is not going to be fixed in a timely manner, especially with the risk of my car catching fire, and the dealership not providing a loaner car.

NHTSA ID

11601750

Incident

Jul 13, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted and taken to a dealer. The dealer was not able to diagnose the vehicle; however, an unknown software update was performed, and it was confirmed that parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11593138

Incident

Jun 1, 2024

Mileage

32,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11590396

Incident

Sep 25, 2023

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while at a complete stop at the traffic light, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after accelerating at 20 MPH from the complete stop, another vehicle crashed into the passenger's side of the vehicle, and the vehicle was pushed towards a residence. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond, causing the front end of the vehicle to crash into the residence. The air bags deployed. There was no injury sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), which she related to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11582549

Incident

Apr 12, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, smoke was detected, and vehicle was extremely hot. The contact stated that it was unknown if there were any warning lights illuminated. 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 made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11576183

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Mileage

89,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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

11576006

Incident

Jul 1, 2023

Engine light abs sensor from right wheel Repair at Mavis Tire 1701 19th St Bessemer Al 35020 phone# Mavis 205 666 0750 Repair made 08/18/2023 $381.12 total I have invoice from Mavis Tire I am unable to send my invoice.

NHTSA ID

11564756

Incident

Aug 28, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 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 local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11563555

Incident

Nov 14, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40–45 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11559684

Incident

Nov 28, 2023

Mileage

99,000 mi

In November 2022 the brake pedal kept sticking to the floor or halfway down causing sudden jerk of the car. Took it to Paramount Kia in Hickory North Carolina. This was a recall. THey repaired the problem. In October, 2023, same thing is happening again. Went to Kia dealership in December. They even kept it over night because this happens in colder weather. They drove it in the morning. THe temperature did not drop enough. THey called me and said there was nothing wrong and to come get the car. I had called them before this and told them the same thing was happening again like it did in 2022. They were familiar with the car. They basically refused to help me. I let a relative drive the car when weather was cold and they told me when they put on the brake, they almost went through the windshield. I need this to be fixed again. Dealership had told me they were not going to replace the same part a second time.

NHTSA ID

11559560

Incident

Dec 2, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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

11557259

Incident

Nov 24, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he observed smoke coming from the passenger’s side of the engine compartment, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the thermostat. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the VIN was included, but the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 196,000.

NHTSA ID

11557092

Incident

Oct 22, 2023

Mileage

196,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V440000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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

11556675

Incident

Nov 22, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact received a 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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

11555976

Incident

Nov 18, 2023

No warning light or nothing just out the blue started knocking and shaking violently lost power almost got hit by a tractortrailer. It has been confirmed from independent shop #4 rod bearing spun and paper thin this happened on interstate 81 near UVA medical center the date was 8-2-2023

NHTSA ID

11538809

Incident

Aug 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V773000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, other drivers were honking at him. The contact’s brother, who was following behind in another vehicle, alerted the contact that the brake lights failed to illuminate while the vehicle was stopping. Additionally, the transmission was able to shift gears while the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer did not perform the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ID

11510866

Incident

Mar 1, 2023

Mileage

94,000 mi

Recurrence of brake issue related to vehicle recall late 2017 which was fixed on my vehicle on Feb 14, 2018. Kia says since recall closed out it's not their responsibility.

NHTSA ID

11492625

Incident

Nov 7, 2022

MY ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON , NOW IT'S SAYING THAT IT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERY TIME . STARTED MY CAR UP THE NEXT DAY THEN THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT . SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT . MY BRAKES ARE ACTING WEIRD , AND TIRE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON .

NHTSA ID

11366473

Incident

Oct 17, 2020

MY BRAKE PEDDLE BEGAN TO STICK. I WOULD HAVE TO TAP ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE TO GET IT TO UNSTICK. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALER NEAR ME. THEY TOLD ME IT COULD BE DUE THE THE BRAKE STOPPER RECALL. THEY WANTED TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THEN. WHICH I COULD NOT AFFORD AT THAT TIME. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE. THE BRAKES ACTUALLY STARTED ENGAGING ON THEIR OWN. ONE TIME I WAS ON THE HWY AND HAD TO PULL OVER AND TAP ON MY BRAKES TO GET THEM TO UNENGAGE . I TOOK MY CAR BACK TP THE DEALER HAD THEM DO THE DIAGNOSTICS. THEY TOLD ME MY MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND BRAKES FRONT AND REAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SO I CALLED KIA CORPORATE AFYER READING THE DIAGNOSTICS REPORT. I WAS HUNG UP ON TWICE! I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER PLACE AND HAD THEM DO THEIR OWN DIAGNOSTICS. I HAD TO COME OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE A REPAIR THE ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM ON MY CAR. IT WAS DUE TO A DEFECT INSIDE THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE MAATER CYLINDER WAS COMING APART FROM THE INSIDE. THE PEICES WERE CLOGGING MY BRAKE LINES. YET KIA ONLY DYOOD BEHIND A WARRENTY NOT THE PRODUCT . I HAVE AND LIVE ON A LIMITED INCOME DUE TO MY PHYSICAL DISABILITIES. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN GOOD FAITH THAT KIA WAS A GOOD AND LOYAL CONSUMER. I AM STILL STUGGLING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. MY NEIGHBORS KEPT KNOCKING O. MY DOOR ONE MORNING TO TELL ME MY LIGHTS ON MY CAR WERE ON. I WENT OUT TO CHECK AND IT WAS IN FACT MY BRAKE LIGHTS. I HAD TO TAP ON MY BRAKE PEDDLE TO GET THEM TO TURN OFF. IT RAN MY BATTERY DOWN. I HAD TO CALL MY MAINTENANCE MANAGER FOR A JUMP START. KIA EVEN HAD TO NERVE TO CHARGE ME FOR A LOANER CAR TO DRIVE WHILE THEY CONDUCTED THE DIAGNOSTICS. I DO HAVE ALL REPORTS AND PAPER WORK AND RECEIPTS. I WAS SO PROUD OF MY NEW CAR. NOW I AM FINANCIALLY STRAPPED DUE TO THIS MAJOR DEFECT THAT WAS IN MY 2013 MASTER CYLINDER. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON CITY STREETS,THE HWY AND PARKED, TURNED OFF WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11311597

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

79,979 mi

WIFE GOT KILLED IN IT WENT THRU A BRIDGE CLOSED

NHTSA ID

11286434

Incident

Mar 21, 2016

I WAS LOOKING UP THE BLUE BOOK VALUE AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR DEALING WITH THE BREAKS, SEATBELT, AND AIRBAG. I MADE A CALL TO KIA, GAVE THEM THE VIN NUMBER AND THEY SAID THE CAR HAVEN'T BEEN FIXED. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS AND I DID NOT GET A CARFAX SHEET.

NHTSA ID

11193774

Incident

Mar 30, 2019

Mileage

132,000 mi

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ONTO ONE SIDE, I COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AND IT MADE A U-TURN ONTO THE SAME STREET I WAS DRIVING ON, HITTING THE CURB, ROLLING OVER. I WAS FOUND UPSIDE DOWN IN MY CAR UNCONSCIOUS FROM THE CRASH BECAUSE MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID

11171034

Incident

Jan 17, 2019

Mileage

108,000 mi