2011 KIA Sorento Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the 2011 KIA Sorento, 4% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 70,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “brakes hydraulic contacted” (17% of reports).
- 59service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- 70,000median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 33%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 10 of 59 complaints (17%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 29 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 59 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 2 an injury.
KIA Sorento service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sorento | 1 | 17% | 600 |
| 2024 Sorento | 1 | 2% | 7,000 |
| 2023 Sorento | 1 | 1% | 12,000 |
| 2019 Sorento | 1 | 0% | 42,000 |
| 2017 Sorento | 1 | 0% | 20 |
| 2015 Sorento | 15 | 2% | 96,351 |
| 2014 Sorento | 37 | 4% | 93,000 |
| 2013 Sorento | 54 | 6% | 103,000 |
| 2012 Sorento | 69 | 8% | 116,863 |
| 2011 Sorento | 59 | 4% | 70,000 |
| 2009 Sorento | 6 | 11% | 140,000 |
| 2008 Sorento | 8 | 4% | 62,600 |
| 2007 Sorento | 5 | 3% | 22,750 |
| 2006 Sorento | 7 | 3% | 9,000 |
| 2005 Sorento | 6 | 2% | 22,648 |
| 2004 Sorento | 4 | 2% | 33,700 |
| 2003 Sorento | 14 | 5% | 22,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outside
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:foundation components:disc:caliper
Problem: Kia is recalling certain model year 2011 sorento vehicles manufactured from september 14, 2010, through october 4, 2010. Some of the rear brake calipers may not have been properly machined.
Risk: As a result, brake fluid will leak, followed by illumination of the malfunction indicator light indicating the brake fluid level is low and should be checked, then a soft or spongy brake pedal feel, and if not serviced, reduced braking power which could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear calipers and replace it if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on december 10, 2010. Owners may contact kia consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that, upon reaching her destination and turning the vehicle off, she smelled smoke in the interior of the vehicle. She then observed flames jutting up from underneath the driver's side seat, prompting her to evacuate immediately. Within…
See attached document for complaint
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2011 KIA Sorentos have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 59 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the 2011 KIA Sorento (4% of the 1,520 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2011 KIA Sorento service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems start?
The median reported mileage is 70,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the 2011 KIA Sorento?
The most frequent phrase is “brakes hydraulic contacted”, in 10 of 59 complaints.
Other 2011 KIA Sorento problems
- Engine problems (284)
- Structure problems (268)
- Power Train problems (265)
- Electrical System problems (246)
- Air Bags problems (183)
- Exterior Lighting problems (102)
- Service Brakes problems (72)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (63)
See all 2011 KIA Sorento problems or service brakes, hydraulic problems across all Sorento years.