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.
26
Latest Mar 12, 2025
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.
14%
of 181 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.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
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 2011 Kia Sportage submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 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
The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words
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.
NHTSA ID
11647865
Incident
Mar 12, 2025
BrakesEngine
Filed Sep 17, 2024
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 (619-444-7200), and a third dealer, Kearny Mesa Kia (858 223-3131) 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.
NHTSA ID
11615014
Incident
Sep 17, 2024
Brakes
Filed Jul 9, 2024
Fire reported
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.
NHTSA ID
11600476
Incident
Dec 1, 2023
Mileage
170,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jul 8, 2024
I was driving down the highway at 55 mph with the cruise control on and when I came to a stoplight where I had to make a right, the brakes would not depress they were frozen or a hard break pedal. Apparently in 2023 Kia recalled 98,944 Kia Sportage SUVs due to a brake booster issue. My Kia is a 2011. It was very scary and I am having my vehicle towed to a Kia Dealership
NHTSA ID
11600275
Incident
Jul 7, 2024
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 8, 2024
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.
NHTSA ID
11600223
Incident
Jun 10, 2023
Mileage
159,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 7, 2024
Fire reported
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 failure mileage was approximately 150,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ID
11593090
Incident
Dec 8, 2023
Mileage
150,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 7, 2024
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.
NHTSA ID
11587524
Incident
May 7, 2024
Brakes
Filed May 1, 2024
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.
NHTSA ID
11586445
Incident
Sep 25, 2023
Brakes
Filed Mar 8, 2024
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA ID
11576228
Incident
Dec 15, 2023
Brakes
Filed Feb 27, 2024
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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ID
11574189
Incident
Feb 26, 2024
Brakes
Filed Jan 24, 2024
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.
NHTSA ID
11567632
Incident
Jan 24, 2024
Brakes
Filed Jan 23, 2024
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.
NHTSA ID
11567184
Incident
Sep 25, 2023
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jan 20, 2024
Kia still doesn't have a remedy for the recall. It is 2024. I am still at risk
NHTSA ID
11566721
Incident
Jan 20, 2024
Brakes
Filed Nov 28, 2023
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.
NHTSA ID
11557246
Incident
Nov 14, 2023
Mileage
155,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Nov 25, 2023
Drive the car for a certain amount of time (20 mins) park and then drive it again 20 mins back home when it’s already parked smell to burn. What I do? I need the car to drive to work and back home.
NHTSA ID
11556791
Incident
Nov 23, 2023
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Jan 27, 2021
RECALL NO. 13V114 HAS STILL NOT BEEN RESOLVED. WITH NO PREDICABLE FREQUENCY, MY DAUGHTER'S CAR WILL SUDDENLY BE DIFFICULT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND THE STEERING WILL BECOME MORE DIFFICULT, THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL BE INOPERATIVE, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE, BECAUSE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH CONNECTED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IS MALFUNCTIONING. I BELIEVE THIS CAN BE REPAIRED BY A REPLACEMENT STOP LAMP SWITCH, AT LEAST TEMPORARILY. I DO NOT KNOW IF KIA HAS AN ALTERNATE SWITCH AVAILABLE TO INSTALL. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST EIGHT YEARS SINCE THIS RECALL STARTED. PLEASE PUT PRESSURE ON KIA TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I WANT TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED ON MY DAUGHTER'S CAR BUT I'D RATHER NOT PAY FOR IT MYSELF, BUT I WANT TO GET IT REPAIRED THIS YEAR. THANK YOU!
NHTSA ID
11390243
Incident
Aug 7, 2020
Mileage
122,500 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 19, 2019
AS TIME WAIT ON ENGINE DETERIORATED THE CAR WOULD STOP AND NOT MOVE , EVEN WHILE DRIVING. BREAK LIGHTS GO OUT EVERY 3 MONTHS GOT A TICKET BECAUSE OF IT. THEN RADIO BURNT OUT , AFTER THOSE ISSUE . I GOT THE CAR BRAND NEW , ALL WAYS GOT OIL CHANGES AS WELL AS THE TUNE UPS. TOOK ISSUE TO KIA AND THEY KEPT SAYING EVERYTHING WAS FINE . AFTER THEY WORKED ON ISSUES THE BILL WAS OVER 1000 . AFTER ALL THE WORK DONE THERE IS STILL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. SEE ON CREDIT KARMA MY CAR HAS 5 RECALLS . I NEED A LETTER STATING THE RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE, BECAUSE KIA HAS NOT HELPED WITH THE PROBLEMS ON THE CAR AND I CAN'T AFFORD GETTING MORE WORK DONE ON THE CAR. AFTER SHOWING THEM THIS APP THEY STILL WON'T WORK ON IT WITH OUT A LETTER. REALLY NEED HELP THANKS YOU.
NHTSA ID
11245049
Incident
Apr 12, 2016
Brakes
Filed Jan 10, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported
I WAS DRIVING EAST ON A CITY STREET AT PROBABLY LESS THAN SPEED LIMIT. STREET BECOMES A DOWNWARD HILL WHEN DRIVING EAST , AT THE FIRST INTERSECTION THERE IS A STOPLIGHT. I KNOW THIS INTERSECTION WELL AS I DROVE THAT WAY TO WORK FOR 9 YEARS. I SAW LIGHT AT INTERSECTION WAS RED AND SAW VEHICLES STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT. I STARTED BRAKING IN PREPARATION TO STOP AT APPROPRIATE DISTANCE FROM VEHICLES STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT. MY BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH BRAKES FROZE OR WERE STUCK AND WOULD NOT GO DOWN REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE I APPLIED. I SCREAMED ?WHY AREN?T THESE STOPPING?? REPEATEDLY AS I SAW AND FELT MY RIGHT FOOT ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES. I HIT A RED PICK UP IN FRONT OF ME. MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND SEAT BELT FUNCTIONED APPROPRIATELY BUT I FELT I WAS INJURED. I IMMEDIATELY REACHED FOR MY PHONE AND CALLED 911. FIRE DEPT PERSONNEL ARRIVED QUICKLY AS THEY ARE CLOSE BY. THEY PLACED A COLLAR AROUND MY NECK AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO EXIT MY VEHICLE UNTIL EMS ARRIVED TO PUT ME IN AMBULANCE AND TAKE ME TO ER. POLICE OFFICER LATER CAME TO ER WITH MY VEHICLE DOCUMENTS. HE TOLD ME VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WOULD BE TAKEN TO POLICE IMPOUND LOT. HE SAID HE HAD TO GIVE ME A TRAFFIC TICKET FOR CARELESS DRIVING BECAUSE I HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. HE SAID IT WAS THE LEAST VIOLATION HE COULD CITE ME FOR.VEHICLE TOWED TO COLLISION CENTER WHERE IT REMAINS STORED. I ONLY HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE. I FILED COMPLAINT WITH KIA ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE, PROVIDED PICTURES, COPY OF TRAFFIC TICKET AS REQUESTED, AND PICTURES OF MY SEVERELY BRUISED FOOT. I WAS INFORMED BY KIA REP TODAY THAT THEIR ENGINEERS FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF BRAKE FAILURE IN PICTURES AND I WAS TICKETED FOR CARELESS DRIVING. THEY FOUND NO REASON TO EXAMINE BRAKES. I ASKED FOR COPY OF ENGINEERS REPORT BUT WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT PROVIDE THAT. *BF *TR
NHTSA ID
11061563
Incident
Dec 11, 2017
Mileage
44,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Dec 11, 2017
PIERDE FUERZA Y LE SUENA MUCHO EL MOTOR
NHTSA ID
11053884
Incident
Jan 15, 2015
Mileage
5 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ID
10935135
Incident
Dec 5, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 23, 2014
Crash reported
WE OWN THE CAR, 2011 KIA SPORTAGE SX T-GDI, FOR LESS THAN 3 MONTHS AND I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP PRETTY MUCH EVERY OTHER WEEK WITH SOME ISSUES. LAST PROBLEM WE HAD WAS AN ACCELERATOR/SPEED CONTROL WHEN THE CAR WASN'T SHIFTING OR ACCELERATING OVER 25-30 MPH EVEN THE RPM WERE UP TO 6-7X1000, AND I WAS ABLE TO FLOOR THE PEDAL AND KEEP IT THERE, WAS NO SPEED RESPONSE. THE ONLY FIX WAS PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, BUT EVEN AFTER THAT IT COULD TAKE SEVERAL TIMES TO DO THE SAME PROCEDURE.I FINALLY GOT AN APPOINTMENT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON TUESDAY MORNING 11NOV14, PICK IT UP THURSDAY AFTERNOON 13NOV14, THEY SAID I HAD A BAD BATTERY THAT MIGHT CAUSE THE PROBLEM. SO I END UP PAYING FOR A NEW BATTERY AND REPLACING IT, AND AT THE SAME TIME THE DEALERS REPLACED A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH, AND I WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WORKS GREAT. NEXT MORNING ON FRIDAY, SAME ISSUE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL, VEHICLE IS DRIVING UNUSUAL AND ON TOP OF THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED THE DEALERS IMMEDIATELY THEY SAID IF THE LIGHT IS NOT FLASHING ITS SAFE TO DRIVE AND THERE ARE NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE UNTIL MONDAY 17NOV14. SUNDAY DRIVING AROUND THE CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS ALL DAY LONG AND THAT EVENING COMING HOME AFTER FILLED UP THE TANK, AT ABOUT 25MPH SPEED CONTROL WAS GIVING ME A HARD TIME AND SHIFTING AT A VERY DELAYED TIMES OR NOT SHIFTING AT ALL, APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION TRIED TO STOP AND THE BRAKE SEIZED FIRST COUPLE TIMES, ACCELERATING INSTEAD OF STOPPING, AND WHEN ALREADY ENTERING THE INTERSECTION BEING SLIPPERY I WAS ABLE TO DO A SLIGHTLY LEFT SLIDING ON THE WET ROAD AFTER BRAKES FINALLY ENGAGED BUT WAS TO LATE TO AVOID THE COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR WHICH HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY. SAME PROBLEM, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CAR NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE DEALER'S SERVICE SAID ITS GOOD TO GO! SAFE AND DRIVE-ABLE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10660303
Incident
Nov 16, 2014
Mileage
25,182 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Nov 19, 2014
Crash reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
NHTSA ID
10659322
Incident
Nov 16, 2014
Mileage
25,000 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 5, 2014
THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THIS VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONS. THE MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH HAS CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. ADDITIONALLY, THE MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH HAS RESULTED IN INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF THE PUSH-BUTTON START FEATURE. FAILURE TO ILLUMINATE THE STOP LAMPS DURING BRAKING OR INABILITY TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. *TR
NHTSA ID
10631138
Incident
Dec 2, 2013
Mileage
19,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed Jun 5, 2014
AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE PREVENTING THE SHIFTER FROM BEING MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION AND CAUSING THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. FAILURE TO ILLUMINATE THE STOP LAMPS DURING BRAKING OR INABILITY TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. KIA WILL SEND AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS IN MAY 2013. *TR ***SPOKE TO OWNER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO CRASH
NHTSA ID
10596320
Incident
Jun 4, 2014
Mileage
83,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 21, 2014
THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT START DUE TO A FAULTY BRAKE SENSOR SAFETY SWITCH. *TR
NHTSA ID
10573927
Incident
Mar 12, 2014
Mileage
47,000 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