Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Kia Sorento owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I went in to the burlington, wa kia dealership for this recall fix. And after waiting an hour they tell me they don't have the right part. It's now been about a month later and I'm still waiting to hear when the part will be available. I don't think this is ok for a safety issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V088000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle decelerate. The contact stated she depressed the brake pedal however the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact also stated she saw smoke exiting the hood. The contact stated a sheriff was on the scene to assist her and he opened the hood and more smoke was seen however, no flames were seen. The vehicle was towed to Kia of vacaville (651 orange dr, vacaville, ca 95687; [phone]), where it was diagnosed with a cracked radiator that needs to be replaced. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard while attempting to stop the vehicle. The vehicle did not respond and rear ended a second vehicle. The front end of the contact's vehicle was severely damaged, but the air bag did not deploy. The driver sustained an injured right ankle that required medical attention. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,600. The consumer stated once she was aware she was rolling backwards, she puthe vehicle in park, it continued to roll. The consumer then shifted into drive striking another vehicle.
I received a manufacturer recall notice about possible fires due to braking circuits in the early spring, but the dealership knew nothing about it. The car was parked outside as suggested. I received a second notice at the end of June. The SUV was serviced 7/14/20 for a recall on the braking circuit. On 8/22/20 a beautifully clear Saturday, I was driving home from a neighboring community on a paved country road. I noticed that the ESC off indicator light displayed on the dashboard. I stopped to look in the manual to see if the car was driveable. I parked my car in the garage after arriving home and noticed that tail lights/brake lights remained on even with the engine turned off. Because of two prior manufacturer warnings about fire with the electrical system, I parked the car outside away from the house as recommended. …
I was driving on the highway when my steering wheel became really stiff like I lost power steering. I looked at my dash and had a check engine light, oil light, ABS light, and ESC off light illuminated. I pressed the gas to try to switch lanes as I was in the far left lane and needed to reach the shoulder to figure out what was going on, and the car would not accelerate. I turned my flashers on and was luckily able to make it to the shoulder without causing an accident. When I was on the shoulder I turned the key off and then back on. The check engine light and oil light went away, but the ABS light and the ESC light remained on. I started to drive back towards my house and felt the car idling roughly when at a stop. At home my husband disconnected the battery for a few minutes which solved the rough idling issue but the ABS and ESC lights are still on. …
My daughter was on her way to work,she was coming to a stop at the end of the road and had no brakes and she continued on across the road went up the bank across the road and when she reached the top it began sliding down and ended up laying on the passenger side. Thankfully she was not hurt to bad. I have had the car checked out,replaced the windshield and passenger door window and mirror. The mechanic replaced the master cylinder,and still had no breaks,come to find out after calling Kia they said it was the (hecu) unit.they are saying it will cost around 1500.00 to replace this.I have never heard of nothing more ridiculous. The car is still drivable. The passenger side doors are bent-up some,but they open and close just fine don't look good but its still drivable. I think Kia should replace this (hecu) because its a factory defect.
I just received a recall on my Kia Sorento, it says it is due to a electrical anti lock brake system. And followed by this letter my light does stay on for this part and other lights are on too do to this. I'm scared to death to drive this Kia now. I think for this kind of problem, they should recall the entire vehicle. And give me a brand new Kia sorrento. Because this is life or death,and this is the only vehicle I have to take care of my daughter. To school and doctor, or what ever her needs and mine are. I am a single mother on a fixed income and I'm very scared for mine and my child's life or who rides with us. So I think Kia dealership should take my Kia that's recalled and give me a new one for that. I travel alot everyday and I need a dependable vehicle and shouldn't have to worry about my family's safety for using my Kia.
I own a 2007 Kia Sorento. Recently, my check engine and ESC off lights became illuminated on my dashboard. I noticed that my brake lights were not illuminating when I pressed the brake pedal. After looking up my car make and model on the NHTSA website, I noticed there was a recall for my model year Sorento for the exact same problems (NHTSA campaign number 13V114000/Kia service campaign sc098). I took the carto my local Kia dealership and they told me I was not eligible for the recall as my VIN was not included. As such, I have to drive around without functional brake lamps until I get this problem resolved--increasing my chances of being rear-ended. I travel constantly for work so I do not have the luxury of not driving. This needs to be investigated and resolved.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the brake lights failed to illuminate when the brakes were depressed. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle due to not knowing that the contact was applying the brakes. The contact sustained injuries to the back and a police report was not filed. After the crash, the contact received notification that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign number: 13V114000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 170,000.
NHTSA site does not yet reflect that NHTSA recall #: 20V088 affects my vehicle. Your site, which issued that recall states that there are 0 unresolved recalls for my vehicle, but my vehicle has not yet been serviced for that recall. The NHTSA site needs to be updated regarding this recall dated March 25, 2020, with dealer service responses commencing April 10, 2020. Mailed recall notice received from Kia. Thank you for your important work, and stay safe.
Brake complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2007 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the brakes of the 2007 Kia Sorento, 16% of the model year's 154 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2007 Kia Sorento brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2007 Kia Sorento, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Kia Sorento brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.