KIA Sportage Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 429 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the KIA Sportage across 27 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (70). The words owners use most often: “brakes hydraulic contacted” (8% of reports).
- 429service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 28mention a crash
- 12mention an injury
- 6related recalls
- 22%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 34 of 429 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 107 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 429 complaints, 28 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 12 an injury.
KIA Sportage service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sportage | 1 | 4% | 600 |
| 2024 Sportage | 1 | 1% | 6,100 |
| 2023 Sportage | 5 | 3% | 11,000 |
| 2020 Sportage | 6 | 4% | 50,750 |
| 2019 Sportage | 4 | 6% | 60,103 |
| 2018 Sportage | 5 | 3% | 65,574 |
| 2017 Sportage | 10 | 2% | 93,703 |
| 2016 Sportage | 31 | 23% | 61,000 |
| 2015 Sportage | 28 | 19% | 95,000 |
| 2014 Sportage | 21 | 17% | 90,531 |
| 2013 Sportage | 19 | 5% | 77,500 |
| 2012 Sportage | 11 | 3% | 3,600 |
| 2011 Sportage | 12 | 7% | 155,000 |
| 2010 Sportage | 4 | 20% | 170,000 |
| 2009 Sportage | 8 | 10% | 65,500 |
| 2008 Sportage | 7 | 7% | 117,000 |
| 2007 Sportage | 3 | 4% | 12,350 |
| 2006 Sportage | 3 | 3% | 33,000 |
| 2005 Sportage | 3 | 4% | 85,000 |
| 2002 Sportage | 21 | 9% | 11,000 |
| 2001 Sportage | 25 | 11% | 24,000 |
| 2000 Sportage | 48 | 16% | 16,064 |
| 1999 Sportage | 44 | 15% | 28,000 |
| 1998 Sportage | 70 | 23% | 73,000 |
| 1997 Sportage | 19 | 10% | 52,575 |
| 1996 Sportage | 14 | 25% | — |
| 1995 Sportage | 6 | 11% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (6)
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outside
Model years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
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:power assist
Model years: 2023
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The brake booster diaphragm may become misaligned and cause an internal vacuum leak, which can result in a loss of power brake assist.
Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake booster as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC272.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outside
Model years: 2008, 2009
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2008-2009 Sportage vehicles previously recalled under recall 16V-815. An engine compartment fire originating from around the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may occur while parked or driving.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the recall repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the HECU, its wiring harness, and its fuses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC253.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outside
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
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 install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC227.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outside
Model years: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 1998, 1999
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles without an anti-lock braking system (abs). The steering intermediate shaft coupling can contact a hydraulic brake pipe causing fluid leakage.
Risk: This condition can cause a loss of rear brake increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, increase the clearance between the brake pipe and steering intermediate shaft coupling.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2026 Kia Sportage HEV. The contact stated that while approaching a traffic signal light at nighttime while it was raining, the brake pedal was depressed, and when the vehicle hit a pothole, the brakes failed to respond. To avoid colliding into the vehicle in front, the contact…
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V703000 (Trail Hitches) and 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the recall repair requests were denied by the manufacturer. The contact stated that while attempting to start the…
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while coming to a gas station rest stop, making a left turn to the fuel pump, the vehicle lost power and coasted to the fuel pump. There were no warning lights illuminated. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000…
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The…
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. 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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sportages have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 429 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the KIA Sportage. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Sportage service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 6 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 Sportage?
The most frequent phrase is “brakes hydraulic contacted”, in 34 of 429 complaints.
Other KIA Sportage problems
- Engine problems (1,506)
- Electrical System problems (630)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (480)
- Power Train problems (457)
- Air Bags problems (293)
- Structure problems (276)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (266)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (192)
See all KIA Sportage problems.