Brake pedal, hoses and brake fluid Kia: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Kia models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Carens IIIInternal brake fluid leak in the ABS/ESC hydraulic unit with fire riskA February 2025 Safety Gate alert includes Carens built between September 2009 and December 2012. An internal brake fluid leak can cause a short circuit in the ABS/ESC electrical circuit and overheat the fuse box, with a risk of an engine fire.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Ceed IFaulty brake master cylinder on Ceed with ESP built in 2008-2009Yes: in 2010 Kia recalled cee'd models with ESP built between 1 April 2008 and 30 March 2009, because the brake master cylinder could fail to deliver the expected force and lengthen braking distance. The inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the part were free of charge.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Carens IVInternal brake fluid leak that can cause a short circuit in the ABS/ESCA Safety Gate alert from February 2025 covers a Kia recall, including the Carens built between August 2012 and July 2018, for an internal brake fluid leak that can cause a short circuit in the ABS/ESC circuit and a risk of fire.

By Kia model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Frequently asked questions

What faults with the brake system do Kia cars have?

In 3 models from Kia there are 3 documented faults with the brake system. The most important: internal brake fluid leak in the ABS/ESC hydraulic unit with fire risk, faulty brake master cylinder on Ceed with ESP built in 2008-2009 and internal brake fluid leak that can cause a short circuit in the ABS/ESC. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which Kia models have the most problems with the brake system?

Kia Carens III (1 fault), Kia Ceed I (1 fault) and Kia Carens IV (1 fault).