2020 Kia Optima Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 5%of 153 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,175miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the brakes of the 2020 Kia Optima, 5% of the 153 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,175 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The fcw forward collision warning system seems to not get activated under any circusnstances. I have changed the sensitivity of the system to all levels and it never seems to detect the car in front of it. It never warns you of an inminent collision. The car is always in motion when I tried the system”
NHTSA complaint #11298277, filed 2020-01, 2,000 miles“For the past few days I have been feeling a left to right movement at times when I press the brake pedal so after further checking I noticed it moves left to right when moved by hand my car only has 36128 miles so why is this coming loose already?”
NHTSA complaint #11413990, filed 2021-04, 38,118 miles“I own a 2020 Kia Optima (my second one in less than a year). Three weeks ago, I applied my brakes before entering a curve. In the process, I hit a bump (not a pot hole) in the road's and my brakes disengaged and I thought I would lose control of the vehicle because I was not sure the brake were going to engage in time for me miss a hit on collusion. The same thing happen again, yesterday. This is not the first time I have experienced brake problems with a Kia Optima. In my 2016, the same thing was occurring. The service shop replace a rod or something the braking system. …”
NHTSA complaint #11353811, filed 2020-09, 7,450 miles“The fcw forward collision warning system seems to not get activated under any circusnstances. I have changed the sensitivity of the system to all levels and it never seems to detect the car in front of it. It never warns you of an collision.”
NHTSA complaint #11337484, filed 2020-07, 2,900 miles“It is impossible to use the brake pedal if the shoe size is us10+. The distance between the floor and the knee airbag mechanism does not allow the use of the brake pedal.”
NHTSA complaint #11414072, filed 2021-04, 20 milesRelated 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…
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 2020 Kia Optima
104 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Kia Optima
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