RoadVitals

2015 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.
16
Latest Feb 10, 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.
6%
of 258 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

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 2015 Kia Forte submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 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

AirbagsBrakesEngine
Filed Feb 10, 2026

Plese can you fex may car

NHTSA ID
11717120
Incident
Feb 10, 2026
Brakes
Filed Sep 25, 2025

I was driving today and upon braking trying to come to a four way stop, the brake pedal went to the floor with no stopping. My vehicle went through the 4 way stop endangering me and my passengers. The piston blew out where all fluid leaked over the place. This is dangerous.

NHTSA ID
11689697
Incident
Sep 25, 2025
Brakes
Filed Jun 27, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Forte. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the brakes failed to respond while the brake pedal was being depressed. The contact was able to come to a stop by engaging the parking brake. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,334.

NHTSA ID
11597268
Incident
Nov 15, 2023
Mileage
56,334 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 31, 2023

Going down an incline the brakes can go to the floor. Usually if the pavement is a little bumpy. It’s like you loose all braking.

NHTSA ID
11535593
Incident
Aug 20, 2016
Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 2023

Kia issued recall to inspect/repair potential corrosion of brake lines. Dealer inspected car on 12/8/22 and advised repair/replacement was needed and parts would be order. Now almost 2 months later and still no part. Dealer states back ordered. Complaint filed with Kia customer service and no meaningful response. In fact other than acknowledging complaint no response whatsoever. Yet Kia advises this is a potential safety issue and should be repaired ASAP so as to avoid accidents/damage, etc.. Kia cannot or will not provided any information regarding parts availability and subsequent required repair. If transportation is needed we are forced to drive a vehicle with known safety issues because of manufacturers lack of response.

NHTSA ID
11505512
Incident
Dec 8, 2022
BrakesEngine
Filed Jan 4, 2023

I start to notice the lamp as well as a knocking sound in October of 2022 I was concerned so I took it to a local mechanic and was told that this particular model car was on a recall for engine fire hazard. He then advised me to call the dealership I purchased the vehicle from. I then called them to let them know what is going on with the car, the employee tells me they can't do the work and referred me to another dealership that's a larger facility. To my knowledge of doing research, I then found out that the engine can catch fire when shut off or in process of being driven so it's very dangerous regarding me and my family. I then called the dealership and they asked for my VIN number, they then tell me yes, this car has 3 different recalls that are showing, and I made an appointment to have it inspected on Jan 2 of 2023 and I took my car to the dealership, and they confirmed I need a new engine. They then told me they will not repair my vehicle. I've never gotten anything in the mail stating there was a recall on any of the parts for my KIA 2015 until the knocking from the engine and the lamp coming on and was told by a local mechanic that there's a recall on this model.

NHTSA ID
11500206
Incident
Jan 2, 2023
Brakes
Filed Dec 2, 2022

Received inspection letter dated 8/19/22 from Kia to inspect/replace if necessary brake line. First available appointment was 9/27/22. Inspection revealed a severely rotted brake line and invoice notation that vehicle is unsafe to drive. I contacted 3 other Kia dealerships and was given the familiar response that the parts are on back order with not estimate time for arrival. I contacted Kia customer service for a remedy but experienced hour long wait on hold only to be disconnected. Several attempts later customer service suggested I seek an off dealer shop and pay for the repair and be reimbursed by Kia. I was not able to get service through a third party either. I was assigned a case number 15188053 but no viable resolution.

NHTSA ID
11495728
Incident
Sep 27, 2022
Brakes
Filed Oct 26, 2022

Kia recalled my brake line but won’t fix claiming parts in Korea on back order going on months. They took pics of corrosion. They said if something happens it’s my fault.

NHTSA ID
11491079
Incident
Oct 9, 2022
Brakes
Filed Oct 9, 2022

I received a recall notice from KIa Corporation notifying me of a recall for brake lines rusting on my car and told me to take it to dealer to have issue inspected. If found to be in need of replacement they would be replaced at no charge to me. I took the car into dealership and they took photos of the rusted brake lines and informed me they would be replaced by KIA at no charge. That was on September 14 2022. Dealership told me the parts would come in the week following and they would call me. They never called and I called them weekly and they told me on the last call that KIA did not have the parts and they did not know they would receive them.

NHTSA ID
11488564
Incident
Sep 14, 2022
Brakes
Filed Sep 21, 2022

Brake lines failed while driving. All of the brake fluid leaked out while driving making this a dangerous situation. Brake light came on and loss of all brakes came next. Had it towed to a service station where it was confirmed the brake lines had rusted causing the leak. This is a known issue for Kia and they have issued a voluntary recall. This should be made a mandatory recall ASAP.

NHTSA ID
11485759
Incident
Aug 19, 2022
Brakes
Filed Aug 1, 2021
Crash reported3 injuries reported

Water leaks from under the dash covering the floor. And making the brand and acceleration peddles wet and slick. Slowing to stop at my hom and my foot slide from the brake peddle and was unable to safely slow down before impacting my husband’s truck.

NHTSA ID
11427348
Incident
Aug 1, 2021
Brakes
Filed Feb 21, 2021

AFTER HEARING THE CAR WAS MAKING A STRANGE SOUND WHILE IN MOTION AND BRINGING IT INTO THE DEALER 3 TIMES OVER THE SPAN OF A YEAR, IT WAS IDENTIFIED THAT BOTH FRONT CALIPERS WERE FROZEN/BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BEFORE REALIZING THAT THIS WAS THE ISSUE, THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING, FRONT BRAKE PADS, AND REAR BRAKES ALL WERE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF OVERCOMPENSATING FOR THE CALIPERS.

NHTSA ID
11397200
Incident
Feb 18, 2021
AirbagsBrakesFuel system
Filed May 19, 2019

TAKATA INFLATORS? RECEIVE VOLUNTARY EMISSION RECALL NOTICE FROM KIA 1/16/18 TOOK CAR IN TO BE SERVICE FOR THE RECALL 2/3/18 TO KIA OF EAST HARTFORD, CT- DROVE CAR OFF THE LOT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. LOUD SOUND AND BLACK SMOKE FROM REAR END OF THE CAR, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR STALLED. CALL SERVICE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY AND WAS TOLD TO TURN CAR ON AND OFF, THAT THE COMPUTER HAD TO RESET. CAR CAME BACK ON BUT THE AIRBAG, LOW TIRE PRESSURE AND ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. BROUGHT CAR BACK TO KIA OF EAST HARTFORD SEVERAL TIMES WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG, INSTEAD THAT THE SENSOR WERE OFF. THEN EVENTUALLY TOOK THE CAR TO COLUMBIA KIA AND WAS TOLD THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE BUT NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY, THE FUEL CANISTER WAS ALSO CRACKED BUT NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE TPS MODULE WAS ALSO DAMAGE (WHICH WAS REPAIRED BY COLUMBIA KIA THAT ACTUALLY TOOK MY CLAIM SERIOUS). MADE A COMPLAINT TICKET WITH KIA MANUFACTURER REF#12976894 BUT HAS GOTTEN NO WHERE. IN ADDITION COMPLAINT WAS MADE 07/07/18 THAT WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A STOP AND THE GROUND SURFACE IS UNEVEN THE CAR WOULD JERK AND PROPEL FORWARD. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THAT IS HOW THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WORK. COMPLAINED TO KIA REGARDING THE MULTIPLE TIMES OF NEAR MISSED ACCIDENTS DUE TO MECHANICAL BRAKING SYSTEM AND CAR STALLS. AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR WITH ALL OF THE WARRANTY OFFERED, WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET KIA TO AGREE TO FIX THE TPS MODULE. ALL OF THE OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CAR WAS NOTED BY KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY WERE DEFECTIVE, NOT WEAR AND TEAR, BUT ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HAVING PROBLEM WITH FINDING ANYONE THAT WOULD EVEN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE AIRBAG ISSUE DUE TO POSSIBLE LIABILITY CONCERNS AND ONGOING RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11208496
Incident
Feb 3, 2018
Mileage
75,461 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 19, 2019

TAKATA RECALL: MY BRAKE LIGHTS FROM BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES ARE ALWAYS GONG OUT. I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO REPLACE BULBS. I'VE EVEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND HAD THE ENTIRE LIGHTING WIRES BRAND NEW AND STILL HAVE THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11181120
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Brakes
Filed Jan 4, 2019

BOUGHT CAR FROM KIA 2015 FORTE 4 DOOR WITH THEIR CERTIFICATION WITH 32500 MILES TOOK CAR IN FOR 2ND OIL CHANGE AT 40400 MILES WAS TOLD REAR BRAKES WERE INTO THE ROTORS AND FRONT BRAKES WERE STARTING TO DO THE SAME. WHAT WERE THE BRAKE PADS LIKE WHEN THEY WERE CERTIFIED?

NHTSA ID
11165294
Incident
Jan 3, 2019
Mileage
40,400 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 1, 2016
Crash reported

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AS I BACKED OUT OF MY GARAGE IN MARCH OF 2016. I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND BEGAN TO PUSH THE GAS TO BACK OUT. THE CAR ENGINE REVVED LOUDLY AND THE CAR SHOT OUT OF THE GARAGE. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THINKING I POSSIBLY HAD MY FOOT ON THE WRONG PEDAL (EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE), I LOOKED DOWN AT MY FEET AND VERIFIED THAT MY FOOT WAS INDEED ON THE BRAKE AND NOT THE GAS PEDAL. I THEN PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT SLOW DOWN; IT CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED. AT THIS POINT, I HAD GONE DOWN MY DRIVEWAY ACROSS THE STREET AND WAS IN MY NEIGHBORS' DRIVEWAY HEADED TOWARD THEIR HOUSE. THEN, I TRIED PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AND THAT STILL DID NOT STOP OR EVEN SLOW DOWN THE CAR. IT JUST MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE. MY NEXT STEP WOULD HAVE BEEN TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT I HAD ALREADY HIT THE OUTSIDE WALL OF MY NEIGHBORS' GARAGE AND THAT IS WHEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED AND BEGAN IDLING NORMALLY. I TOWED IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THEY RAN TESTS ON THE BRAKES, THROTTLE, ETC. AND FOUND NO ABNORMALITIES. WHEN I ASKED WHAT INFORMATION WAS GATHERED FROM THE CONTROL MODULE, I WAS TOLD THAT NO HISTORY CODES WERE SHOWN. SO, ACCORDING TO THEM THERE WAS NO RECORD OF ME BRAKING OR THE CAR ACCELERATING. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THAT IS POSSIBLE. I ASKED TWICE FOR COPIES OF THE ACTUAL TESTS AND DATA THAT WAS DOWNLOADED FROM THE CONTROL MODULE, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE THEM. I WAS TOLD THE INFORMATION WAS TYPED WORD FOR WORD IN THE SUMMARY SECTION OF THE RECEIPT. I AM NOW LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR, SINCE I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS ONE AND EXPRESSED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE. HOW CAN THEY ALLOW A CAR BACK ON THE ROAD WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR WHY IT ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY? I'M BAFFLED BY THIS. UNFORTUNATELY, MY STORY IS NOT UNIQUE.

NHTSA ID
10852998
Incident
Mar 14, 2016
Mileage
20,000 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.

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Data sources

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