Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Kia Sorento owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated the while driving at unknown speeds the brake pedal was applied but, it depressed to the floorboard happened several times and crashed into an oak tree on his property. The contact engaged the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. Additionally, while driving he crashed into a yellow pole post on another occasion. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, fire, or police report filed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where diagnosed the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,463. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V331000(air bags). The contact stated he was concerned about his safety about driving the vehicle. …
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 consumed by the fire. There was no injury sustained. The local Fire Department was contacted and extinguished the fire, and a fire report was filed. The fire report was provided. The vehicle was towed to the tow lot and deemed a total loss. The contact stated that the dealer was not contacted. The contact was provided notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); by the Fire Department. The contact notified the manufacturer about the failure stated in the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer sent a technician to inspect the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. 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 repair. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel independently turned to the left. The brakes failed to operate as needed. The vehicle slowly stalled and rolled to the shoulder of the road. The message that no key fob was detected was displayed, and the engine seized. The contact replaced the battery in the key fob. The contact started the vehicle. However, when the contact shifted the gear shifter into drive, the steering wheel independently turned to the left again with unknown warning light illuminated. The engine seized again. …
The contact owns a 2014 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. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact stated there was condensation coming out of the exhaust pipes. The contact was stopped by another driver and was informed that the condensation coming out of the exhaust smelled like a bakery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not inspected. The contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed and was provided with the cost of the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). …
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a ticking sound coming from the vehicle. Later, on the same day, while pulling into a friend's driveway, the engine began making a knocking sound. The contact decided to drive to the residence nearby, and the engine started knocking again, eventually causing the engine to fail and the vehicle to lose motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the rods had failed due to excessive rust, causing the rods to knock. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not yet fully inspected or diagnosed. …
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. 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 repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence and became aware that there was gas leaking underneath the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure and diagnosed the vehicle with a crack in the high-pressure fuel pump. The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced and confirmed that parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V519000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, while driving 25 MPH and attempting to make a U-turn, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of a bystander. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer sent a claim to the manufacturer and was awaiting a response. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact's fianc owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. The contact stated the vehicle engine had been misfiring and the brake fluid had been leaking onto the fuse block. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where they had replaced the spark plugs however, the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the fuse box and power relay control was needing to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not provide any assistance as a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired due to the fact that the contact would be responsible for the repair cost. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. 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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and smoke was coming from the engine before the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to move the vehicle to the shoulder and had the vehicle towed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Sorento. 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 check engine, the MIL, and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
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.
Remedy: 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…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
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.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando.
Brake complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2014 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 84 complaints about the brakes of the 2014 Kia Sorento, 9% of the model year's 988 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › wheel speed sensor/tone ring (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Kia Sorento brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-652 (control unit/module, Sep 25, 2023); NHTSA recall 21V-331 (control unit/module, May 10, 2021); NHTSA recall 20V-519 (control unit/module, Aug 27, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Kia Sorento brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 2 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.