KIA Sportage Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 158 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the KIA Sportage across 22 model years. The 2023 model year has the most (30). The words owners use most often: “service brakes hydraulic” (6% of reports).
- 158service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 29mention a crash
- 13mention an injury
- 6related recalls
- 26%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.
- Service brakes hydraulic: mentioned in 10 of 158 complaints (6%)
- Brake pedal depressed: mentioned in 9 of 158 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?
Based on 67 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 158 complaints, 29 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 13 an injury.
KIA Sportage service brakes complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sportage | 5 | 19% | — |
| 2025 Sportage | 5 | 9% | — |
| 2024 Sportage | 6 | 8% | — |
| 2023 Sportage | 30 | 16% | 5,725 |
| 2022 Sportage | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2020 Sportage | 6 | 4% | 9,000 |
| 2019 Sportage | 3 | 4% | 300 |
| 2018 Sportage | 6 | 4% | 5,080 |
| 2017 Sportage | 15 | 4% | 89,500 |
| 2016 Sportage | 7 | 5% | 55,000 |
| 2015 Sportage | 3 | 2% | 38,500 |
| 2014 Sportage | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2013 Sportage | 6 | 2% | 16,928 |
| 2011 Sportage | 12 | 7% | 28,713 |
| 2010 Sportage | 2 | 10% | 67,797 |
| 2009 Sportage | 8 | 10% | 53,000 |
| 2008 Sportage | 15 | 15% | 75,000 |
| 2007 Sportage | 9 | 12% | 89,785 |
| 2006 Sportage | 5 | 5% | 110,623 |
| 2005 Sportage | 3 | 4% | 97,717 |
| 2002 Sportage | 4 | 2% | 120,600 |
| 2000 Sportage | 3 | 1% | 152,033 |
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.
My car had begun to accelerate when pressing the brake pedal. The first time it happened the car kinda stuttered as it fought itself, but the car stopped. That was also the only time it stuttered and corrected itself. The next few times it happened, the car was not as easy to control but was able…
â¢12,000 Miles: Front rotors required complete replacement. â¢21,000 Miles: Front rotors failed and required replacement a second time. â¢28,000 Miles: Front seat cushion required repair due to material separation. â¢34,000 Miles: Front rotors failed and required replacement a third time…
Unexplainable issues with brake pedal. Makes noise inside cabin that sounds like a squeaky door. Happens when depressing brake pedal at 20mph or less and does not in reverse. Pedal feels odd, somewhat pulsating and when turning, I believe, the front passenger wheel pulls. Steering wheel is…
I have had repeated failure/wear of my rotors on my 2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige, starting at about 12k miles and recurring roughly every 3 months from there. I have had multiple dealers look at it and they keep blaming me for the problem. I am not a rough driver, I drive mostly freeway, do not…
When attempting to disengage the cruise control, I must apply sufficient force as to actually apply the brakes. My expectation is that a simple tap on the brake pedal would release the cruise control and begin a coasting mode. This is not the case; the SUV continues at the same forward speed until…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sportages have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 158 owner complaints about service brakes 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?
Yes: 6 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 Sportage?
The most frequent phrase is “service brakes hydraulic”, in 10 of 158 complaints, followed by “brake pedal depressed” (9).
Other KIA Sportage problems
- Engine problems (1,506)
- Electrical System problems (630)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (480)
- Power Train problems (457)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (429)
- Air Bags problems (293)
- Structure problems (276)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (266)
See all KIA Sportage problems.