2011 Kia Forte Brakes Problems
Owners filed 32 brake-related complaints for the 2011 Kia Forte, 21% of all 153 complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 91,700. NHTSA also lists a related brakes recall (23V652000) tied to fire risk, so the pattern is not isolated to one part.
- Brakes complaints
- 32
- 21% of 153
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 91,700 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Owners report the electronic stability control (ESC) light illuminating along with a loud noise, followed by the vehicle unexpectedly decelerating as the brakes engaged on their own.
- Some owners describe brake failure while reversing or coming to a stop, resulting in collisions with objects like light posts or buildings.
- Several complaints describe fire starting near the front of the vehicle or under the hood, sometimes while parked and unoccupied, with smoke and warning lights appearing beforehand in at least one case.
- Owners report the ESC warning light flashing repeatedly along with a loss of power while driving on dry, straight roads, with dealers unable to permanently fix the issue after repeated visits.
- One owner reported brake lights failing due to a blown fuse, which also prevented the shifter from coming out of park until the fuse was replaced.
When 2011 Kia Forte brake complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 28, 2011, latest Jul 31, 2026.
Brakes recalls for the 2011 Kia Forte
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
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. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Brakes complaints by Forte model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many brake complaints does the 2011 Kia Forte have?
- NHTSA lists 32 brake-related complaints for the 2011 Kia Forte, which is 21% of all 153 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a brake recall for the 2011 Kia Forte?
- Yes. NHTSA recall campaign 23V652000 covers brakes on the 2011 Forte among other Kia models, with a park-outside advisory due to fire risk while the recall repair is pending.
- At what mileage do brake problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for brake-related complaints on the 2011 Kia Forte is 91,700 miles.
- Were there any crashes or fires linked to brake complaints?
- NHTSA data tied to this brake complaint set shows 3 crashes, 3 fires, and 2 injuries reported for the 2011 Kia Forte.
- How does the 2011 Forte compare to other Forte years for brake complaints?
- The 2011 Forte's brake complaints made up 21% of that year's total complaints, higher than the 2010 Forte's 11% and most later years like 2015 (7%) and 2018 (3%).