KIA Sorento Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 395 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the KIA Sorento across 23 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (72). The words owners use most often: “brakes failed” (5% of reports).
- 395service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 41mention a crash
- 23mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- 29%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 failed: mentioned in 20 of 395 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?
Based on 225 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 395 complaints, 41 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 23 an injury.
KIA Sorento service brakes complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sorento | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2025 Sorento | 6 | 8% | 65 |
| 2024 Sorento | 5 | 12% | — |
| 2023 Sorento | 11 | 9% | 35,000 |
| 2022 Sorento | 17 | 9% | — |
| 2021 Sorento | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2020 Sorento | 5 | 4% | 16,000 |
| 2019 Sorento | 13 | 3% | 13,040 |
| 2018 Sorento | 8 | 3% | 33,625 |
| 2017 Sorento | 22 | 3% | 5,500 |
| 2016 Sorento | 23 | 2% | 66,000 |
| 2015 Sorento | 21 | 3% | 80,000 |
| 2014 Sorento | 44 | 4% | 57,500 |
| 2013 Sorento | 35 | 4% | 58,500 |
| 2012 Sorento | 33 | 4% | 57,111 |
| 2011 Sorento | 72 | 5% | 70,605 |
| 2009 Sorento | 2 | 4% | 180,000 |
| 2008 Sorento | 19 | 9% | 60,300 |
| 2007 Sorento | 18 | 12% | 107,800 |
| 2006 Sorento | 16 | 7% | 92,000 |
| 2005 Sorento | 6 | 2% | 111,000 |
| 2004 Sorento | 7 | 3% | 116,000 |
| 2003 Sorento | 9 | 3% | 84,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outside
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 outside
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 outside
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/module
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:caliper
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.
Bought my 2025 Kia Sorento brand new in November of 2025. Summer of 2026 with 30,000 miles on it, all of the dash lights kept flashing at me, including the red brake light, and messages saying CHECK ESC, CHECK ABS, CHECK DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM/ Happened several times but the car would still…
My 2024 Kia Sorento has experienced a dangerous brake failure on three separate occasions in which the brake pedal went to the floor and the vehicle lost normal braking capability. The first failure occurred on 7/1/2026 and was confirmed by the Kia dealer; the master cylinder was found leaking…
I am filing an official safety complaint against the manufacturer for refusing to perform federally mandated safety recall repairs on my vehicle. My vehicle is impacted by critical safety recalls involving high-severity fire risks, specifically the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU)…
The abs module has failed. Yes vehicle is available for inspections if wanted and would be appreciated. Had it scanned by dealership and itâs too expensive to fix. Lights on are abs. Traction control. Auto hold. Autonomous braking. Thank you
The brakes failed; they felt spongy, as if my foot were pressing directly against the road. The car accelerated and I headed toward a wall; the sensors didn't stop the vehicle. It came to a halt against the wall after the impact. I was on my way to the repair shop for a scheduled appointment due to…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sorentos have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 395 owner complaints about service brakes 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?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the KIA Sorento?
The most frequent phrase is “brakes failed”, in 20 of 395 complaints.
Other KIA Sorento problems
- Engine problems (3,847)
- Electrical System problems (1,396)
- Power Train problems (1,187)
- Structure problems (936)
- Exterior Lighting problems (845)
- Air Bags problems (717)
- Steering problems (542)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (409)
See all KIA Sorento problems.