KIA Sorento Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 15, 2026 · 289 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 289 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the KIA Sorento across 17 model years. The 2012 model year has the most (69). The words owners use most often: “hydraulic contacted” (18% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Hydraulic contacted: mentioned in 53 of 289 complaints (18%)

At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?

Based on 131 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles26 · 20%
10k–25k miles12 · 9%
25k–50k miles12 · 9%
50k–75k miles15 · 11%
75k–100k miles12 · 9%
100k–150k miles31 · 24%
150k+ miles23 · 18%

How serious are the reports?

Of 289 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 8 an injury.

KIA Sorento service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year

Peak: 2012, with 69 complaints
2003: 142003142004: 442005: 6200562006: 772007: 5200752008: 882009: 6200962011: 59592012: 692012692013: 54542014: 372014372015: 15152017: 1201712019: 112023: 1202312024: 112026: 120261

n = 289 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearService Brakes, Hydraulic complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 Sorento117%600
2024 Sorento12%7,000
2023 Sorento11%12,000
2019 Sorento10%42,000
2017 Sorento10%20
2015 Sorento152%96,351
2014 Sorento374%93,000
2013 Sorento546%103,000
2012 Sorento698%116,863
2011 Sorento594%70,000
2009 Sorento611%140,000
2008 Sorento84%62,600
2007 Sorento53%22,750
2006 Sorento73%9,000
2005 Sorento62%22,648
2004 Sorento42%33,700
2003 Sorento145%22,500

When owners reported it

Peak: 2024, with 138 complaints
2004: 620042005: 62006: 520062007: 52008: 620082009: 32010: 420102011: 132012: 520122013: 32014: 120142015: 12016: 120162019: 12020: 1120202021: 92022: 720222023: 422024: 13820241382025: 132026: 92026

n = 289 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (5)

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · 1,730,192 vehicles

Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

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 outsideMay 10, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V331000 · 440,370 vehicles

Model years: 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 outsideAug 27, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V519000 · 440,370 vehicles

Model years: 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.

Electrical system; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/moduleFeb 14, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V088000 · 228,829 vehicles

Model years: 2007, 2008, 2009

Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliperNov 24, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V599000 · 7,697 vehicles

Model years: 2011

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 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. There were several unknown warning lights…

Received Aug 19, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11758066

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal shaking in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with improperly sized brake rotors. The rotors were resurfaced; however, the failure…

Received Jun 24, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11746301

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled further than normal intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle…

Received Jun 10, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11743313

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, smoke emanated from the vehicle's hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact coasted to a driveway and attempted to open the hood when the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The vehicle was…

Received Jun 4, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11742183

The contact owns a 2026 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 2 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop and rolled forward. The Forward Collision Avoidance feature also failed, causing the vehicle to crash into a…

Received May 12, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11737357
KIA Sorento
Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi DCT AWD Platinum (IV, Facelift). Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all KIA Sorentos have service brakes, hydraulic problems?

No. NHTSA has 289 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the KIA Sorento. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the KIA Sorento service brakes, hydraulic?

Yes: 5 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 Sorento?

The most frequent phrase is “hydraulic contacted”, in 53 of 289 complaints.

Other KIA Sorento problems

See all KIA Sorento problems.