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BrakesPart report

2011 Kia Forte Brakes Problems

Complaints
29about this part
Share
19%of 154 total for the year
Median mileage
110,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Kia Forte, 19% of the 154 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11408500, filed 2021-04, 200,000 miles

“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 complaint #11170159, filed 2019-01, 150,000 miles

“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 complaint #10786802, filed 2015-10, 91,700 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10690252, filed 2015-02, 87,721 miles

“I was hit from behind in my 2011 Kia Forte at 70 MPH while I was at a complete stop. My brakes did not work at all for me to stop on the road before I was pushed into an 8ft deep ditch, into big branches and my car then bounced through a huge field. My air bags did not deploy as they should have, the front of my car is dented in from the impact of the ditch and then the seatbeat did not lock up, it threw me into the steering wheel. I am very unhappy about this. This is the 3rd time I have personally heard about the airbags not deploying in a Kia and the seat belt not locking up.”

NHTSA complaint #10585980, filed 2014-05, 44,015 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202428%
202358%
202227%
202123%
202023%
201943%
201843%
201783%
2016107%
2015166%
2014286%
20133719%
20125218%
20112919%
2010199%

Other parts of the 2011 Kia Forte

Engine
45 complaints
Air bags
35 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
18 complaints
Electrical system
16 complaints
Other or unknown
14 complaints
Vehicle speed control
10 complaints
Exterior lighting
8 complaints
Body and structure
8 complaints
Seat belts
6 complaints
Electronic stability control
5 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Kia Forte

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology