2014 Kia Optima Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 7%of 591 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the brakes of the 2014 Kia Optima, 7% of the 591 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Brake rear lights went out, changed brake switch and fuse and lights still not working. Only have 49800 miles on the car. Was on highway and a man stooed me and let me know they are not working”
NHTSA complaint #11203154, filed 2019-04, 49,800 miles“I was driving on the highway going 65 MPH and an alert pops up. It said possible bms condition. I immediately pulled to the side, but also noticed my car speed reducing. I safely got into the right shoulder and then the car steering wheel froze up. Another alert to check brakes went on. I pushed the brakes over and over to get the alert off. It then over a time span of 3-5 min started to slowly run low on electricity because the hazards lights were blinking slower. I got it towed and waiting to see what is the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11321454, filed 2020-04, 71,500 miles“I left the dealer lot at closing time 2/5/2021 the traction light and brake lights warnings were on the ABS light the car brakes skidded upon applying brakes driving at a slow speed the car shook while applying brakes and it felt as though the entire motor was going to fall out . Later my 17 year old whom has driven for 2 years was driving a few miles from home she said the steering went out the brakes went out she skid across to the other side of the road did not hit anything yet the entire engine and entire front end of the car came apart the frame and all . …”
NHTSA complaint #11396011, filed 2021-02, 210,000 miles“While driving my check brake light will come on intermittently. Seems to happen more frequently when its warm outside. The traction control light always comes on at the same time. The brake light will go off after the car is turned off and restarted, the traction light will stay on for awhile. Sometimes it will go off after a few miles, others it takes a day to go off. Only difference I can see while driving is that before it comes on the brakes will grab harder than usual. The lights only come on when the car is in motion or immediately after coming to a stop. Never when in park. …”
NHTSA complaint #11317165, filed 2020-03, 45,000 miles“I was trying to back in between2 vehicles in the church parking lot. And while doing so, with my foot on the brake the car lunched backwards with a jerking motion, like it was trying to do 2 different things atone time, at full rate of speed and doing so, it backed into the vehicle to my left, the car acted like it had a mind of it's own. I reported the accident and when the police arrived on the sight, he informed me that he had seen an issue like this happening on the news. I had never heard of and I went online to report this incident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10758899, filed 2015-08, 44,233 milesRelated recalls
- 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima…Covers: Kia Optima 2011–2015, Borrego 2010–2019, RIO 2012–2017 +9 more
- 21V331000May 10, 2021Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak…Covers: Kia Optima 2013–2015, Sorento 2014–2015
- 20V519000Aug 27, 2020Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control…Covers: Kia Optima 2013–2015, Sorento 2014–2015
Related service bulletins
- 10179255Aug 25, 2020PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess…
- 10179256Aug 7, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IBAU SYSTEM REPAIR FOR NOISE AND AIR BLEEDING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 10090944Sep 30, 2016Pitstop: variant coding integrated brake actuation units (ibau) - when replacing the integrated brake actuation unit, it is necessary to perform variant coding of the new module…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 5% |
| 2019 | 19 | 9% |
| 2018 | 17 | 7% |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% |
| 2016 | 24 | 3% |
| 2015 | 90 | 9% |
| 2014 | 42 | 7% |
| 2013 | 114 | 8% |
| 2012 | 88 | 10% |
| 2011 | 47 | 8% |
| 2010 | 4 | 5% |
| 2009 | 21 | 18% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 4 | 3% |
| 2002 | 12 | 11% |
| 2001 | 14 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2014 Kia Optima
284 complaintsSteering
97 complaintsOther or unknown
90 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsFuel system
48 complaintsBody and structure
48 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2014 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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