2014 Kia Optima · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 41owner reports
- 100,000median miles
- 8involved a crash
Newest report Feb 9, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
41 of the 546 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 41 reports
Brake wear on other Optima years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (9 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the brakes cover the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
All 7 recalls on the 2014 Kia Optima, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Optima
Hyundai and kia abs module fires. Open.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 71,500 and 136,423 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Brake lights only work when car has lights off when Libyans are on brake lights stay on entire time”
Filed Feb 6, 2025
“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”
Filed Dec 16, 2024
“Vehicle is making a humming noise while the car is off. Both the brake light and ABS lights are on. Based on year, make and model, vehicle is one of the cars included in: nhtsa ID-23V-652000, however VIN does not show an active recall. Repairs will have to come out of pocket since there is not a recall by VIN, even though vehicle is having the same symptoms as recall aforementioned.”
Filed Oct 6, 2023 · 136,423 miles
“While driving my car an Alan went off telling me to pull over and turn off the vehicle. Unfortunately, I had no steering, brakes or acceleration and me and my two little boys were almost hit. I checked and my car year, make and model had a recall for the exact issue and module but mine wasnât listed in the recall and I think it should be!”
Filed Oct 1, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 8 of 41 reports involved a crash and 6 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 129 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 113 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 53 reports
- Vehicle fire 39 reports
- Paint peels or body rusts 33 reports