2014 Kia Optima brakes problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V652000Sep 25, 20231,730,192 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.

• Recall 21V331000May 10, 2021440,370 vehiclesPark outside
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

  Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

  Risk: An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

  Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.

• Recall 20V519000Aug 27, 2020440,370 vehiclesPark outside
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

  Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

  Risk: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

  Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 5, 2026MSBrakesEngine

   The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that after leaving the vehicle parked for approximately 4 hours, the contact returned to the vehicle and the engine running even though the vehicle was turned off. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the traction control light, ABS, and the parking brake light were illuminated. The contact stopped, parked the vehicle, and restarted the vehicle, attempting to reset the vehicle; however, the lights remained illuminated.…

   NHTSA complaint #11769003 · source
2. Filed Feb 9, 2026130,000 miGABrakes

   The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power, and smoke was coming from under the hood. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the contact was informed that the recall could not be…

   NHTSA complaint #11716654 · source
3. Filed Jan 2, 2026100,000 miMNTowedBrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V10000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and 21V331000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the engine and entering the cabin of the vehicle through the A/C vents. The check engine warning light and ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while…

   NHTSA complaint #11708343 · source
4. Filed Dec 22, 2025UTCrash1 injuredTowedAirbagsBrakes

   The contact works as an investigator for the Utah Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division. The contact was investigating a 2014 Kia Optima with a salvaged title and reported that the air bags failed to deploy in a front-end collision. The contact stated that the air bags may have been removed or the air bag sensors were disconnected. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at 30-35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11706493 · source
5. Filed Oct 6, 2025FLBody & StructureBrakesElectrical System

   [XXX] , [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Email: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Date: October 5, 2025 Kia America, Inc. Consumer Affairs Department [XXX] Subject: Request for Goodwill Repair – Defective Paint on 2014 Kia Optima LX Dear Kia Consumer Affairs Team, I am writing to formally request assistance regarding the defective paint on my 2012 Kia Optima LX. The paint has begun to peel and flake on several areas of the vehicle, including [insert locations — e.g., the hood and roof, if you want to…

   NHTSA complaint #11691564 · source
6. Filed Aug 19, 2025ARBrakesElectrical SystemSteering

   While driving Kia Optima, unable to turn steering wheel. No notice when first starting vehicle. While driving, a traction and steering wheel light turns on without a sound(ding) to notify driver. Then once driver attempts to turn, unable due to steering wheel locked. Unsafe to drive on the road. Dangerous for all passengers. Our safety is put at risk due to unable to turn steering wheel while driving. Must turn vehicle off in middle of road, then it resets so steering wheel…

   NHTSA complaint #11681739 · source
7. Filed Jun 11, 202580,000 miCABrakesEngine

   The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under two unidentified NHTSA recalls; however, the recall repairs failed to prevent the failures from occurring. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to a stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal felt spongey and depressed to the floorboard. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the…

   NHTSA complaint #11666347 · source
8. Filed Jun 5, 202565,000 miWABrakesEngine

   The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated after the vehicle was started and warmed up, the engine made an abnormal loud knocking sound. The vehicle was towed to Chavez Automotive, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. Additionally, the dealer was contacted for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the dealer…

   NHTSA complaint #11665157 · source
9. Filed May 8, 2025133,000 miKSTowedBrakesEngine

   The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that there was a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that while driving 5 - 10 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and lost all…

   NHTSA complaint #11659671 · source
10. Filed Apr 14, 2025294,000 miVABrakesEngine

    The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the oil level was lower than expected. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle vibrated while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and the engine was replaced under the recall in September 2020. The contact stated that 5 years after the recall repair was completed, after approximately one month, the brake failure…

    NHTSA complaint #11654417 · source
11. Filed Dec 16, 2024NYCrashTowedBrakesEngineOther / Unknown

    Hit dig mark in road caused by a plow about a half inch to a 1 inch deep by 5 to 7 inches wide while driving 15 mph down the road into work on November 19,2024 around 1:03/1:10 pm next thing I know I am upside down in my car in a ditch about four to five feet wide by 3-4 feet deep

    NHTSA complaint #11631095 · source
12. Filed Nov 26, 2024NYCrashTowedBody & StructureBrakesOther / Unknown

    My car overturned/flipped over after i hit a very small bump in the road located on [XXX] in Utica Ny doing about 15 mph in a trailer park where I worked I have printed out all of my recalls on my 2014 Kia Optima GDI there was some brake fluid on the ground around the area where my car landed in a ditch however the Sheriff that came to the scene of the accident and the female state troopers failed to even check or smell the fluid after I informed both the officers and the…

    NHTSA complaint #11627394 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology