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 2011 Kia Sportage owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact called on behalf of his girlfriend who owned a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that his girlfriend parked the vehicle at her driveway residence, and she discovered that the vehicle had caught on fire underneath the front. The fire department was called and the police arrived on the scene later. The fire was extinguished with water. It was unknown if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and later was declared a total loss by the insurance company. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. and the contact related the failure to this recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked overnight and next to her home, it was started but the contact left the vehicle in park and on as she retrieved a personal item from inside the home, and upon return, it was discovered that the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The police arrived on the scene and filed a police report but no information was available. The origin of the fire was unknown. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact recently received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and related the failure to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel and the radio became inoperable. The contact also stated the ignition system stopped working as intended, and the vehicle had to be started manually with the key. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the local dealer was contacted several times and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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 159,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
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 ABS warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not 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 155,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V101000 (Engine) and 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer, a second dealer, Team Kia of El Cajon [phone]), and a third dealer, Kearny Mesa Kia [phone]) were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and a case was opened. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
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 repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
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 repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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 repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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 local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. 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.
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 Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2011 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Kia Sportage, 14% of the model year's 181 complaints. The component named most often is antilock › control unit/module (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Kia Sportage brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-652 (control unit/module, Sep 25, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Kia Sportage brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury 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.