When car is really cold, the brakes when applied get stuck down. I have to physically disengage the brakes.. Even when I park my car at times the brake pedal will be down and only way I noticed is the brake lights in the back or on.. Only time this happens is when its cold outside.. Dealer took 2 times and decided not to take it any more because they advise they can't find the problem. Seems…
2013 Kia Forte brakes problems
severe 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 24 brakes complaints filed for the 2013 Kia Forte, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 8 model years of Kia Forte in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Forte has a documented brake hydraulic defect linked to two active NHTSA recalls. Owners report brake pedal sticking in cold weather, complete brake failure at highway speeds, and internal master cylinder deterioration; repair costs are substantial and Kia has delayed parts availability for years, leaving many vehicles unfixed.
Brake problems on the 2013 Forte fall into two categories: chronic sticking and complete failure. The sticking shows up mostly in cold weather or wet conditions—brake pedal won't come back up after you press it, and you have to physically tap it to release the brakes. Owners report brake lights staying on even when parked, draining the battery. In worse cases, the pedal sticks down unexpectedly while driving, forcing owners to manually disengage it at highway speeds.
More serious are the failure reports: brake pedal goes to the floor unresponsive while the car is moving at 30–80 MPH, resulting in crashes. One owner hit another vehicle at 30 MPH; another crashed into a house when brakes failed completely. One owner's independent mechanic found the master cylinder was disintegrating internally, pieces clogging the brake lines—he paid thousands out of pocket to replace the entire ABS system after Kia denied warranty coverage.
Multiple owners also report smoke and burning smell from the brake/engine area during normal driving, occurring repeatedly even after repair attempts.
Kia issued recalls 17V773000 and 23V652000 for brake hydraulics, but parts have been unavailable for extended periods (some complaints cite 2022–2024 delays). Owners with recall notices were unable to get repairs done; dealers turned them away saying parts weren't available. One owner reported Kia claimed no responsibility once the recall "closed out."
Same Kia Forte brakes reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal sticking or failing to return
Brake pedal sticks to the floor, sinks down, or fails to retract after being pressed. Occurs primarily in cold weather (below 40°F) or when wet. Owners report having to manually tap or physically disengage the pedal to release brakes.
When: Cold weather conditions (below 32-40°F), morning/evening, wet conditions; occurs at highway and city speeds, and while parked
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal stuck to floor or partway down; Pedal will not return to resting position; Must physically tap or push pedal to disengage; Brake lights remain on when parked; Sudden jerking of vehicle when brakes engage unexpectedly; Brake grinding noise when stuck
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, ABS warning light, Traction control light
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder disassembly/internal deterioration reported; one owner replaced entire ABS system out of pocket ($); some dealers performed diagnostic tests ranging from $100+; brake line flushing and component replacement mentioned
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 17V773000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) and 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) issued. Campaign 23V652000 parts not yet available for prolonged period per multiple complaints. Some dealers refused to re-repair vehicles where issue recurred post-recall. Kia stated warranty does not cover product defect; some owners hung up on when contacting corporate.
Complete brake failure during driving
Brake pedal becomes unresponsive or depresses fully to floorboard without warning while vehicle is in motion. Brake system does not respond to pedal input, resulting in loss of stopping power at speeds ranging 30–80 MPH.
When: At 30 MPH, 55-80 MPH cruising speeds, highway driving; failure mileage noted at 159,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal fails to operate or is unresponsive; Brake pedal depresses to floorboard without braking effect; Vehicle does not slow or stop when brakes applied; Crash occurred due to inability to stop; Check engine light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's estimate obtained from independent mechanic (amount not stated); vehicle salvaged and not repaired by owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 17V773000 and 23V652000 applicable but not completed before failure. No manufacturer assistance mentioned.
Master cylinder internal disassembly
Master cylinder deteriorates or comes apart internally, with loose pieces breaking off and clogging brake lines. Defect creates unsafe braking conditions and requires complete brake system overhaul.
When: Occurred on 2013 model; problem worsened over time; not disclosed when first failure began
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal sticking and requiring manual disengagement; Brakes engaging on their own without pedal input; Brake lights coming on when vehicle is parked and off; Reduced braking responsiveness
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replacement plus complete front and rear brake replacement required; one owner had to pay out of pocket for ABS system repair after Kia dealer estimate; estimated as major repair with significant cost burden
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia warranty only, not full product defect coverage. Kia refused to cover defect; owner had to seek independent repair at considerable personal expense.
Brake system overheating and smoke/burning odor
Vehicle produces smoke and abnormal burning odor from engine compartment or brake area during driving. Temperature increases abnormally. Issue occurs repeatedly even after initial repair attempts.
When: Failure mileage around 89,000–196,000 miles; occurs during normal driving at undisclosed speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke visible from passenger side of engine compartment or brake area; Vehicle extremely hot; Abnormal burning odor; Check engine light illuminated; ABS warning light illuminated; Vehicle shaking and vibrating abnormally
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, ABS warning light, ECU warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Initial independent mechanic misdiagnosed as fuel pump failure; second misdiagnosis as thermostat failure. Later related to brake hydraulic recall. One case showed HECU fuse box had melted; vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 identified by owners/independents; parts not available. No repair completed; no manufacturer assistance provided.
Brake lights staying illuminated and battery drain
Brake lights remain on continuously even when vehicle is parked and engine is off, draining battery. Lights only turn off after tapping brake pedal.
When: Occurs when vehicle parked and turned off with no one inside; detected overnight
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights staying on while parked; Battery drained; Lights require manual pedal tap to turn off
Repairs/costs cited: Required jump start from maintenance manager; contributed to overall repair costs and inconvenience
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage; Kia charged owner for diagnostic testing and loaner vehicle.
Brake pedal or gas pedal mechanical failure/laying on floor
Pedal assembly fails mechanically, with pedal laying flat on floor or becoming physically detached. Owners report inability to locate or engage pedal during driving.
When: One case reported at 55 MPH turning into 35 MPH road; related to Takata recall investigation
Symptoms owners cite: Gas pedal found laying on floor of vehicle; Cannot locate or engage pedal during driving; Pedal becomes unresponsive
Repairs/costs cited: Resulted in curb impact and rim/tire damage; owners state brake pedal could suffer same material failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Related to Takata recall but no specific Kia response documented
Delayed recall parts availability
Kia issued recalls (17V773000 and 23V652000 for brake hydraulics) but parts for repair were not available for extended periods, exceeding reasonable timeframe. Owners with recalls on record unable to get repairs completed despite multiple notifications and dealer attempts.
When: Recalls issued 2017 (17V773000) and 2023 (23V652000); parts shortages persisted through 2022–2024; failure mileage varied 32,000–196,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning lights illuminated; Vehicle stalling; Check engine light; Brake system dysfunction (varies by vehicle)
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Parts not available per VIN tool verification; no repairs completed for many owners; dealers could not order parts or had to turn owners away
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 17V773000 and 23V652000 issued; parts unavailable and distribution disconnect documented. Kia exceeded reasonable recall repair timeframe per multiple complaints. One owner stated Kia claimed responsibility ceased after recall closed.
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40–45 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.…
In November 2022 the brake pedal kept sticking to the floor or halfway down causing sudden jerk of the car. Took it to Paramount Kia in Hickory North Carolina. This was a recall. THey repaired the problem. In October, 2023, same thing is happening again. Went to Kia dealership in December. They even kept it over night because this happens in colder weather. They drove it in the morning.…
Yesterday my brake pedal did not engage and had an accident. I had reported to Kia that the brake pedal was sticking and I would have to flip it back up however when I took it in they informed me they could not recreate the problem. Kia should really look into to this costly problem. I have looked at reviews and I see where there is complaints of the same problem.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…
Had brakes trouble with your 2013 Kia Forte?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2013 Kia Forte?
It's a meaningful issue. 24 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 62,000 and 150,000 miles, with the median around 89,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 62,000; a quarter make it past 150,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Kia/Forte.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.