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2019 Kia Sorento Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Jun 8, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 419 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2019 Kia Sorento submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 8, 2026

Multiple lights on dash same time. Auto Hold, Fwd Collision, Adaptive Cruise and ABS. Code said ABS Module faulty. Multiple Safety System affected and rendered useless.

NHTSA ID
11742753
Incident
May 28, 2026
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 1, 2024

My car has been in recall with Kia motors and nothing has been changed or done

NHTSA ID
11628145
Incident
Oct 4, 2024
BrakesElectrical
Filed Nov 6, 2024

This morning my 2019 Kia Sorento lost power all while driving on a busy highway going 70 miles per hour. When this occured the battery light flashed twice and then the instrument cluster had all warning lights. Then the cluster started flashing and the infotainment center lost power. I lost power steering and brakes. This is not the first time this has happened and I am extremely upset. I drove to the nearest dealership because it was the next exit off of the highway. The engine was running but nothing else was working. The dealership could not get it out of park after I arrived and then it would not start. This same issue occured in 2023 and the dealer had it for over 90 days. They claimed everything was fixed and multiple things were not resolved. My cluster has sparatically flashed since 15k miles and this is ridiculous. Kia will not honor warranty or admit that this is a lemon.

NHTSA ID
11623788
Incident
Nov 6, 2024
Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the ABS and the stabili-trak warning lights were illuminated but eventually turned off. The contact stated that the warning lights illuminated intermittently but had gradually illuminated more frequently. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver's side rear wheel ABS sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,040.

NHTSA ID
11606961
Incident
Jul 8, 2024
Mileage
13,040 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 28, 2024

I made a hard brake when first got car. Warning lights for ABS and traction control came on. Battery disconnected. Battery reconnected and codes cleared, but warning lights remained. Code 2400201 on OBDII read. I didn’t check ABS pump for leakage as I don’t know where that is. I can see the ABS Pump module unit aka ABS Hydraulic Control Unit. When I hard brake there is no ABS pumping action. Car just lurches forward real hard. Hope car doesn’t catch on fire.

NHTSA ID
11585653
Incident
Oct 21, 2023
Brakes
Filed Apr 2, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the cruise control activated, the ABS, ESC, Check Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist System, and Auto Hold warning lights illuminated. The cruise control was then inadvertently deactivated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

NHTSA ID
11580766
Incident
Mar 1, 2024
Mileage
42,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 2, 2024

Days prior to routine scheduled maintenance, several warning lights came on. There was a display of Front Collision Warning. Service department could not replicate the warning lights. Days later, the warning and lights came on more frequently. Took car into dealership and they confirmed a problem. Service department replaced: BR001 HECU 26238 C and 58910-C9600 Hydraulic Unit Assy. As I understand this motor is the main component in having the anti-lock braking system functioning normally. The service department told me to keep the receipt, since it wasn't under warranty, in the event there was a product recall. My concern: Even though there were warning lights the warning wasn't significant enough to indicate that there was a potential safety hazard with a malfunctioning brake system. I submit this in the event there are other incidents of this nature that could possibly warrant a recall.

NHTSA ID
11580622
Incident
Mar 20, 2024
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 14, 2024
Crash reported

Check forwarded collision was on and it has disabled my traction control and abs light was on kia had me make an appointment 3 weeks out. Was leaving for work and it was rainy I was doing 30 in a 40 and I tried stopping to slow down because there was a car in front of me stopped at a yeld so I tired to stop harder but back of car stating sliding our so I had to quickly make a move to get to the lane next to me and there is no one over there and I went over a curb and resulting in totalling my car

NHTSA ID
11577468
Incident
Jan 8, 2024
BrakesInterior & seats
Filed Dec 6, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the brakes would pulsate as the vehicle would shake until the vehicle came to a stop. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to two dealers for the issue 7 times. The contact stated that the dealer was unable to determine if the failure was an ABS brake failure or an electrical failure as the vehicle has had electrical failures. The contact stated that the dealer had replaced the tire sensors more than one time, the brain of the electrical system was reprogrammed, and replaced, and the sensor was also replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was currently at the dealer and was informed that the electrical wiring harness was short circuiting and needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that the driver’s side rear passenger’s door handle had detached from the vehicle when her child attempted to open the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the door handle was not replaced as the contact was informed that the door handle was not included in the Extended Warranty. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had electrical issues since the day of purchase. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

NHTSA ID
11558812
Incident
Apr 6, 2023
Mileage
35,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 15, 2023
1 injury reported

My wife was driving and this is what she had happen—I was at the atm, put my car in park. I was to short to reach the atm so I cracked the door open just enough to reach out to the atm to do what I needed to do, when the car jumped out of park into somehow it rolling forward.I then fell out of the car head first, smashing my knee and arm in the ground, then getting run over by the Kia. I was also smashed between the cement pulled the curb and door when it smashed shut My arm leg foot ankle all got run over. I then had to somehow manage to get up and run after the moving car open the door jump into the living car to hit the break to stop the car from causing an accident on a busy road. I then came home.the pain over took my body and I needed up so my husband pulled me up and took my kids to my in-laws house to have them watch the kids so I could be checked out. I then knew I needed help as the adrenaline wore off it was bad, we called an ambulance to come get me and take me to the hospital.

NHTSA ID
11550023
Incident
Oct 13, 2023
Brakes
Filed Jun 14, 2023

There are times when I brake, my brakes will jump or skip before completely braking. My brakes have been checked and replaced. I have seen recalls on the Kia Sportage for the braking system and I believe that the Kia Sorento has the same issues.

NHTSA ID
11527005
Incident
Jan 7, 2022
BrakesSeat belts
Filed Aug 4, 2020
Crash reported2 injuries reported

ON 7/25/2020, MY 2019 KIA SORENTO HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE, FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 4 MONTHS. I TOOK MY SORENTO TO MY DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A "DEFORMED BOOSTER BRAKES VACUUM HOSE"WHICH THEY REPLACED (2 DAYS IN THE SHOP MARCH 23RD TOO MUCH 25TH). ON JULY 13, 2020 IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE CAR WAS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, FOR THE SECOND TIME. A WEEK LATER(JULY 25TH) THEY CALL TO ME TO PICK UP THE CAR. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAD REPLACE THE HOST WITH AN UPDATED VACUUM HOSE, AND THAT KIA COOPERATION ENGINEERS WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. ON SATURDAY 5 DAYS AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WHICH RESULTED IN A ACCIDENT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS CALLING IT A TOTAL LOST. MY CAR IS A LEASE WITH 9,800 MILES ONLY.I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR ONLY. MY WAS NOT THE ONLY KIA SORENTO BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

NHTSA ID
11343232
Incident
Jul 25, 2020
Mileage
9,850 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 31, 2020

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP (19TH AVE AND VINEYARD) THE CAR WILL HESITATE THEN TAKE OFF AT A FAST RATE OF SPEED. THERE HAS BEEN INSTANCES WHERE THE BRAKE SYSTEM HESITATES TO STOP, ALMOST LIKE A DELAYED REACTION (MOSTLY WHILE TRAVELING ON LOCAL STREETS SUCH AS WEST BOUND BASELINE RD). THE BRAKES SQUILL (ALL THE TIME WHEN BRAKING) SO BAD AND SO LOUD. I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN RIPPED OFF ON A CAR THAT'S ALREADY GIVING PROBLEMS LESS THAN SIX MONTHS OF PURCHASE. THE CITY OF ALL INSTANCES IS PHOENIX, AZ.

NHTSA ID
11342467
Incident
Jul 31, 2020
Mileage
12,600 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Jul 18, 2019
Crash reported2 injuries reported

MY KIA SORENTO 2019 HAS BEEN ACTING WEIRD FOR A WHILE. I HAD TALKED TO THE SERVICE GUYS AND I WAS TOLD ALL IS FINE. HERE ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR ISSUES: 1. THE CAR HAS AN ISSUE OF ACCELERATION. ONCE IT REACHES 45MPH IT BECOMES NOISY AND IT FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE. THE ANSWER FROM THE SERVICE GUYS:" IT IS NORMAL." 2. THE BRAKES: IT TAKES TOO MUCH TIME TO STOP. SO, EVEN IF I KEEP MY DISTANCE FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I ALWAYS STRUGGLE TO STOP AT THE SAFE DISTANCE AT THE STOP SIGN OR LIGHTS. THE ANSWER FROM THE SERVICE GUYS: 'NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES.' 3. AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR OR SO, THE MOTOR OVERHEATS SIGNIFICANTLY. 4. FINALLY, THE CAR ROLLED BACK FROM THE PARKING LOT (WHILE ON THE PARK MODE ) AND INJURED TWO PEOPLE, AND DAMAGED ANOTHER CAR.

NHTSA ID
11233153
Incident
Jul 18, 2019
Mileage
17,800 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .