Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 22% | 1,000 miles |
| 2025 | 5 | 9% | — |
| 2024 | 7 | 10% | 6,000 miles |
| 2023 | 34 | 18% | 11,000 miles |
| 2022 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2020 | 12 | 7% | 11,000 miles |
| 2019 | 7 | 10% | 46,000 miles |
| 2018 | 11 | 7% | 16,000 miles |
| 2017 | 26 | 6% | 94,000 miles |
| 2016 | 38 | 28% | 55,000 miles |
| 2015 | 31 | 21% | 86,000 miles |
| 2014 | 24 | 19% | 121,000 miles |
| 2013 | 25 | 7% | 55,000 miles |
| 2012 | 11 | 3% | 4,000 miles |
| 2011 | 25 | 14% | 47,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 30% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 15 | 19% | 55,000 miles |
| 2008 | 23 | 23% | 93,000 miles |
| 2007 | 12 | 16% | 60,000 miles |
| 2006 | 10 | 9% | 96,000 miles |
| 2005 | 6 | 9% | 89,000 miles |
| 2002 | 25 | 11% | 15,000 miles |
| 2001 | 27 | 12% | 20,000 miles |
| 2000 | 54 | 18% | 19,000 miles |
| 1999 | 44 | 15% | 28,000 miles |
| 1998 | 71 | 23% | 73,000 miles |
| 1997 | 19 | 10% | 53,000 miles |
| 1996 | 15 | 26% | — |
| 1995 | 6 | 11% | — |
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 owns a 2026 Kia Sportage HEV. The contact stated that while approaching a traffic signal light at nighttime while it was raining, the brake pedal was depressed, and when the vehicle hit a pothole, the brakes failed to respond. To avoid colliding into the vehicle in front, the contact veered the steering wheel and pumped the brakes. After a few minutes the brakes functioned as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. However, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a claim was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 600.
I was stopped in the left hand turn lane, then accelerated to cross 2 lanes of traffic. I then let off the accelerator, and applied the brakes to stop, and the brakes did not function. I then rear ended a vehicle in front of me due to the intermittent loss of brakes. It may have also been the propulsion system kept going. Either way the vehicle maintained the same speed of about 15mph until I collided with the vehicle in front of me which stopped me. The brakes worked fine again after the collision. There also was no Forward Collision Avoidance system that was triggered in any way. This vehicle is a Rental Car.
Statement for NHTSA Complaint: I am filing this complaint regarding a 2025 Kia Sportage EX (VIN: [redacted] ) that I purchased, which was sold to me with a defective brake booster. This defect resulted in a complete brake failure, putting my safety and the safety of others at serious risk. When the issue occurred, I lost braking power, which could have led to a severe accident. After bringing the vehicle in for repair, it was confirmed that the brake booster was faulty. Kia of America has only offered to reimburse me for my $1,000 insurance deductible, despite selling me a defective vehicle that should never have been on the road. They have not taken full responsibility for the issue, nor have they provided an appropriate resolution. This is a major safety concern, and I am concerned that other Kia Sportage owners may be driving with the same defect, unaware of the potential danger. …
In November 2025, with approximately 6,900 miles on the vehicle, I reported brake issues to the dealership. After inspection, the dealership resurfaced (turned) the brake rotors at no charge. At that time, I was led to believe that the issue had been corrected. However, in June 2026, with only 14,300 miles on the vehicle, I returned to the dealership because the same symptoms had reappeared. I was informed that the rotors again require resurfacing and that the brake pads now need replacement as well. why has the same issue returned so quickly? Is there a defect in the rotors, brake pads, calipers, brake system design, or another component that has not been identified and corrected? I do not believe that my driving habits are the cause of this problem. Prior to purchasing this Sportage, I owned two vehicles from other manufacturers. …
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while attempting to park in his residential carport, the brake pedal was depressed the brake pedal was stiff and did not move down as intended. The contact used excessive force but the vehicle failed to come to a stop. The vehicle collided with the screen room of his residence taking out three of the four walls of the patio. There were no injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the failure was not able to be replicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,100.
Sudden Unintended Acceleration - 2024 Kia Sportage - Safety Hazard. Incident Date: April 18, 2026. Location: Parking lot. While pulling into a parking space at low speed, I brought the vehicle to a complete stop with my foot on the brake. Immediately after stopping, the vehicle suddenly and forcefully accelerated forward on its own without my foot on the accelerator. I was actively pressing the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not respond as expected and continued to accelerate. The acceleration was strong enough that the vehicle jumped over the parking bumper with both front tires and struck a fixed post. Even after impact with the post, the vehicle continued to push forward as if still accelerating, until it hit another barrier and finally came to a stop. At no time did I press the accelerator pedal. The vehicle's behavior felt completely uncontrolled and unsafe. …
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, attempting to merge onto the roadway, and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to decelerate. As a result, the vehicle crashed into semi-truck on the driver's side. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The driver was transported to an area hospital and treated for whiplash and back pain. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who did not diagnose the failure. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number 23V410000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,000.
The contact was driving a 2023 Kia Sportage loaner vehicle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and pressing the brake pedal the braking system malfunctioned and the brake pedal extended to the floor causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the vehicle sustained front-end damage but the air bag did not deploy. Also, during the crash, the second vehicle was pushed into the rear of a third vehicle. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failures was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the crash. The manufacturer has not yet contacted us. The failure mileage was 450.
Related recalls (7)
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 › Power assist
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.
Remedy: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
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.
Remedy: 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…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Show 2 more recalls
Parking brake
On certain sport utility vehicles, the parking brake lever ratchet pawl was not properly manufactured and my damage the teeth of the parking brake lever ratchet. Damaged parking brake lever ratchet teeth May prevent the parking brake from engaging or May allow the parking brake to release after it has been engaged.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the parking brake lever assembly. The recall began on August 1, 2005. Owners May contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, increase the clearance between the brake pipe and steering intermediate shaft coupling.
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 Sportage years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (71), 2000 (54), 1999 (44), 2016 (38) and 2023 (34) model years. Brake complaints make up 23% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Kia Sportage brake problems?
Yes — 7 recalls, including 23V-652 (control unit/module, Sep 25, 2023); 23V-410 (power assist, Jun 7, 2023); 22V-800 (control unit/module, Oct 24, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Sportage brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (60 mentions), followed by the foundation components (43).
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.