Kia C1513 Code: Brake Switch Error
The stability control module thinks the brake light switch is lying about whether you're on the brakes.
Safety first · Consult a professional
- Braking system affected: ABS may be disabled. Drive carefully and have it checked promptly.
At a glance
Severity: Moderate
- Meaning
- Brake Switch Error
- System
- Brakes, ABS & Chassis · Chassis
- Safe to drive?
- With caution
- Typical repair cost
- $10–$1,900
- DIY difficulty
- Easy
Kia's ABS/ESC module watches two independent signals every time you brake: the brake light switch at the top of the pedal and, on ESC-equipped cars, the pressure sensor in the master cylinder circuit. C1513 is set when they disagree, for example when the switch reports the pedal pressed while there's no brake pressure, or pressure rises while the switch stays off. The module then disables ESC and traction control and turns on their warning lights. On many Kias the real problem is mechanical: a stop lamp switch that has failed or drifted out of adjustment, or a deteriorated rubber stopper pad on the pedal arm that lets the switch plunger hang out. Kia has run stop lamp switch and pedal stopper pad recalls on several US models, including certain Sorento, Sportage, Soul, Optima, Rondo, Sedona and Forte vehicles.
Can I keep driving? The brakes themselves work, but your brake lights may stay on or not come on at all, which is a rear-end collision risk, and ESC is off. Check the brake lights right away and get it fixed soon.
How to read C1513
- C Chassis
- 1 Manufacturer-specific
- 5 Brakes, ABS & Chassis
- 13 Specific fault
Symptoms
- ESC/traction control and ABS warning lights on
- Brake lights stuck on with the pedal released, or not lighting when you brake
- Shifter won't come out of Park, or push-button start ignores the brake pedal
- Cruise control won't engage or cancels by itself
- Pieces of crumbled rubber on the driver footwell carpet under the pedal
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Faulty or intermittent stop lamp switch (internal contacts)
- Deteriorated brake pedal stopper pad letting the switch plunger stay extended
- Stop lamp switch out of adjustment after pedal or switch work
- Wiring or connector fault at the switch, or blown stop lamp fuse
- Brake pressure sensor or ESC module fault
Diagnosis step by step
Check for open recalls
Enter your VIN on Kia's owner site and at NHTSA. Stop lamp switch and pedal stopper pad campaigns cover several Kia models, and an open recall makes the fix free.
Walk around the brake lights
Have someone watch the brake lights as you press and release the pedal. Lights that stay on or never come on confirm the switch side, not the ESC module.
Look under the dash at the pedal
With a flashlight, find the switch above the brake pedal arm and the rubber or plastic pad it presses against. A missing or crumbled pad means the plunger isn't being pushed in properly.
Tools: Flashlight
Test the switch circuits
Most Kia switches have two circuits: one closes when you press the pedal (brake lights) and one opens (ECM/cruise). With the connector off, check continuity on each pair while pressing the plunger; both must flip cleanly.
Tools: Multimeter
Compare switch and pressure in live data
In the ABS/ESC live data, the brake switch should go ON exactly when brake pressure starts to rise and OFF when it drops back to zero. A switch that lags or stays on confirms adjustment or switch failure.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Replace pad/switch and clear the code
Fit a new stopper pad and switch, set it per the service procedure so the lights go off with the pedal at rest, then clear C1513 and test drive.
Tools: Pliers, OBD-II scanner
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pedal stopper pad replacement | Yes | $10–$80 |
| Stop lamp switch replacement and adjustment | Yes | $60–$180 |
| Switch wiring or connector repair | No | $100–$250 |
| Brake pressure sensor replacement | No | $250–$600 |
| ABS/ESC module replacement (rare) | No | $900–$1,900 |
Rough US estimates for parts and labor; shop rates vary by region. Not a quote.
Notes by brand
Hyundai
Hyundai uses the same C1513 brake switch logic and had its own stop lamp switch and pedal stopper pad campaigns on models such as Sonata, Elantra and Santa Fe.
Emissions / smog test impact
Depends
C1513 doesn't affect the emissions test, but brake lights that don't work or an ESC warning light can fail a state safety inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Why do crumbs of rubber under the pedal matter?
That's the stopper pad the brake light switch presses against. When it disintegrates, the switch plunger sticks out and the car can think you're braking when you aren't, which sets C1513 and can leave the brake lights on.
Can I replace the brake light switch myself?
On most Kias, yes: it's a plug-in, twist-lock switch above the pedal. The critical part is adjustment, because the brake lights must switch off fully with the pedal released.
Why won't my Kia shift out of Park?
The shift interlock needs a brake-pressed signal from the same switch. A failed switch or missing stopper pad can block it; most Kias have a shift-lock release slot next to the shifter for emergencies.
Is C1513 covered by a recall?
Several Kia models were recalled for stop lamp switch or pedal stopper pad problems. Only a VIN check tells you whether yours is included and whether the work was already done.
Sources
- Manufacturer public service information (cross-checked)
- NHTSA Recalls API
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