80 of the 1,017 complaints about the Kia Sportage (7.9%) concern Brakes, making it the model's #5 problem area. That share is 1.3× the Brakes share across all tracked vehicles.
80Complaints · Brakes
7.9%Share of complaints
1.31×vs. all vehicles
20Last 12 months
26.2%Share involving a crash or fire
2Related recalls
Analysis
20 Brakes complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 11 in the 12 months before — up 82%.
21 of these reports (26.2%) describe a crash or fire, with 9 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 23V410000 (2023-06-07, model year 2023).
As the vehicle ahead of me began braking, I attempted to slow down accordingly. Despite applying the brake pedal, my vehicle did not decelerate as expected. The brake went down to the floor without resistance.
Brakes · 2026-10-13 · ODI 11770930 · Crash
My car had begun to accelerate when pressing the brake pedal. The first time it happened the car kinda stuttered as it fought itself, but the car stopped. That was also the only time it stuttered and corrected itself.
Brakes · 2026-07-07 · ODI 11748759 · Crash
I am writing to formally report a severe and life-threatening safety defect regarding my 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid. On September 28, 2026 around 8 am, I experienced a terrifying Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) event while operating the vehicle.
Brakes · 2026-10-01 · ODI 11768268
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the message "Brake Carefully" was displayed. The contact slightly depressed the brake pedal to test the brakes and continued driving; however, the vehicle lost motive power.
Brakes · 2026-09-16 · ODI 11764793
I purchased brand new 2026 kia sportage hybrid end of may 2026 from a kia dealership rairdon kia in burlington, wa. It has less than 2,000 miles currently and there is a squeaking noise from the brakes.
Brakes · 2026-08-12 · ODI 11756427
Electronic parking brake switch has failed. Yes the switch is available for inspection. Electronic parking brake can no longer be manually activated. Failure of the electronic parking brake switch has been confirmed by a dealer (Citrus Kia, Ontario, CA).
Brakes · 2026-08-11 · ODI 11756367
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST Campaign 23V410000 · 2023-06-07 · Model years: 2023
Summary: 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. Kia's number for this recall is SC272.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE Campaign 21V137000 · 2021-03-04 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
⚠ Park-outside / do-not-drive warning
Summary: 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. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
