KIA Optima Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 211 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the KIA Optima across 15 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (53). The words owners use most often: “brakes hydraulic contacted” (15% of reports).
- 211service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 14mention a crash
- 13mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 42%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Brakes hydraulic contacted: mentioned in 31 of 211 complaints (15%)
- Fire department: mentioned in 21 of 211 complaints (10%)
- Burning odor: mentioned in 18 of 211 complaints (9%)
- Motive power: mentioned in 11 of 211 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 130 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 211 complaints, 14 mention a crash, 28 a fire, 13 an injury.
KIA Optima service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Optima | 1 | 0% | 20,000 |
| 2016 Optima | 2 | 0% | 103,417 |
| 2015 Optima | 41 | 4% | 113,500 |
| 2014 Optima | 17 | 3% | 108,374 |
| 2013 Optima | 53 | 4% | 130,000 |
| 2012 Optima | 35 | 4% | 130,000 |
| 2011 Optima | 21 | 4% | 129,000 |
| 2009 Optima | 4 | 3% | 19,058 |
| 2008 Optima | 4 | 3% | 2,600 |
| 2007 Optima | 2 | 1% | 17,750 |
| 2005 Optima | 2 | 1% | 42,000 |
| 2004 Optima | 5 | 2% | 4,532 |
| 2003 Optima | 3 | 2% | 54,500 |
| 2002 Optima | 9 | 8% | 45,593 |
| 2001 Optima | 12 | 8% | 15,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outside
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outside
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outside
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while pulling into the driveway, the ABS warning light remained illuminated after the vehicle was powered off. The contact stated that the parking brake warning light unexpectedly illuminated while the vehicle was being operated. The…
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to start due to the battery being drained from the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) remaining on while the vehicle was turned off. After recharging the battery, the HECU made a buzzing sound while the battery…
The contact owns a 2015 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 owned a 2016 KIAÂ OPTIMA. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH occupied with her husband the contact heard a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle and smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle as you looked in the drive side rear view mirror and while depressing the brake…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Optimas have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 211 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the KIA Optima. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Optima service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the KIA Optima?
The most frequent phrase is “brakes hydraulic contacted”, in 31 of 211 complaints, followed by “fire department” (21).
Other KIA Optima problems
- Engine problems (3,164)
- Electrical System problems (936)
- Steering problems (758)
- Air Bags problems (563)
- Structure problems (559)
- Power Train problems (508)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (381)
- Exterior Lighting problems (359)
See all KIA Optima problems.