Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 33% | 1,000 miles |
| 2025 | 6 | 8% | 0 miles |
| 2024 | 6 | 14% | 7,000 miles |
| 2023 | 12 | 10% | 35,000 miles |
| 2022 | 18 | 9% | 70,000 miles |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% | 20,000 miles |
| 2019 | 14 | 3% | 18,000 miles |
| 2018 | 8 | 3% | 64,000 miles |
| 2017 | 23 | 3% | 6,000 miles |
| 2016 | 24 | 2% | 69,000 miles |
| 2015 | 37 | 5% | 93,000 miles |
| 2014 | 84 | 9% | 80,000 miles |
| 2013 | 88 | 9% | 75,000 miles |
| 2012 | 103 | 12% | 90,000 miles |
| 2011 | 132 | 9% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 8 | 15% | 180,000 miles |
| 2008 | 27 | 12% | 60,000 miles |
| 2007 | 24 | 16% | 98,000 miles |
| 2006 | 26 | 11% | 59,000 miles |
| 2005 | 14 | 5% | 48,000 miles |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% | 112,000 miles |
| 2003 | 24 | 8% | 36,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact leased a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to increase over 20 MPH. The 20 MPH limited message was displayed. The brake pedal was hard to depress. The driver pulled over and called the salesman at the dealer, who discussed red flags. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted. While driving 45 MPH, turning left, the brake pedal was applied, but the brakes violently pumped upwards for about nine car lengths. The vehicle eventually slowed down. The speed decreased from 40 MPH to 20 MPH, and he crashed into a Toyota Corolla stopped at the light. There was an unknown abnormal warning sound detected. There were no reported injuries, airbags, fire, or police report filed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the bumper was cracked and two unknown sensors were damaged. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Driving 40 mph coming around a bend. There was a car stopped about to rear off to the left and when coming up around the turn I saw and tried to stop. I was about two car lengths behind the car when I pressed the brake down and I pushed it all the way down and nothing happened. It was grinding and shaky when pressing it down. Not tight or anything. I feel like I normally would have that tension right away to be able to stop. There was no warning or anything and the car always has warnings when something is close.
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal shaking in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with improperly sized brake rotors. The rotors were resurfaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was subsequently returned to the dealer, and the rotors were replaced, but the failure continued. The contact stated that the wheels were affected by the rotor failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,000.
1. **Component or System Failure:** - The malfunction occurred in the **automatic braking system** while the vehicle was in **snow mode**. The brakes engaged and locked the wheels, resulting in a loss of traction. - This system is available for inspection upon request to assess the failure, where the car was towed to. 2. **Safety Risk:** - The automatic brakes locking the wheels put the driver at risk by causing the vehicle to slide uncontrollably. - The situation was further exacerbated by the fact that the vehicle collided with a tree, indicating a significant safety concern. 3. **Reproduction of the Problem:** - It is unclear if the issue has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, but given the nature of the malfunction, it would be advisable to have it inspected by a professional to verify the problem. 4. …
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH or higher, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes seized with an abnormal sound coming from the brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in an undisclosed recall related to rotors, and the rotors were replaced under the recall. However, approximately 2 months after the repair, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the rotors had failed again and needed to be resurfaced. The dealer started to resurface the rotors, but the contact decided to stop the process. The contact researched and determined that rotors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes spontaneously engaged. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact stated there was no other vehicles nearby when the failure occurred on several occasions. Additionally, the sunroof was deactivated due to the software being disconnected spontaneously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and informed the contact that the manufacturer needed to be contacted to check the logs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Auto Hold feature activated, and the check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and DTCs U0164, U0123, U01B0, and U1131 were retrieved. The independent mechanic stated that the battery needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic also informed the contact of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was repaired; however, the warning lights illuminated, and the failure persisted. Additionally, the parking brake warning light was illuminated. In addition, the air conditioning system was leaking refrigerant and intermittently was blowing out hot air. The A/C started blowing colder air minutes later. …
1)Transmission keeps slipping on a car that is one year old. Typically it's from a park>drive or park>reverse but it also happens while accelerating. The worse instance so far has been while I was pulling across an intersection and my gas pedal was to the floor and the car just froze like it was in neutral... rpms went up but car "disengaged" and I had to let off the gas and try again and it engaged. This was a HUGE safety issue as cars were coming at me and I was stuck. I have take the car to KIA FOUR times for this issue and they keep telling me that if there was an issue there would be a check engine light on and they can't do anything. 2) Adaptive cruise control and lane assist functions keep randomly stopping and have to be reset. 3) Rotors are crap. I have had to to have them turned twice in the first year of ownership and they are making a squealing sound now for a 3rd time. …
Related recalls (4)
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Sorento years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (132), 2012 (103), 2013 (88), 2014 (84) and 2015 (37) model years. Brake complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Kia Sorento brake problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 23V-652 (control unit/module, Sep 25, 2023); 21V-331 (control unit/module, May 10, 2021); 20V-519 (control unit/module, Aug 27, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Sorento brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components › disc › rotor (16 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (7).
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.