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2023 Kia Sportage Brakes Problems

18 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data

18
Complaints
1
Recalls
4
Crashes
Mar 2024Dec 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Brakes Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #23V410000

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.

Fix: 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.

Owner Complaints (18)

criticalSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Dec 2025

Your brakes failed while driving on the road, even though the dealership said everything was fine during multiple service visits. A repair shop later confirmed the rotors and brakes were damaged. Kia is aware of a fix for these defective parts but has refused to replace them under warranty. The fix will likely involve replacing the brake rotors and brake pads.

Parts you may need:

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NHTSA #: 11705759
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2025

Purchased a CPO Sportage XPro April 2025. As I am unfamiliar with the mechanisms of Kia, unbeknownst to me, my engine revved the first week of purchase. Since this incident, the engine has revved while braking on [XXX] while driving down a city street. The next incident occurred on [XXX] , while exiting the highway and coming to a stop. My passenger, who happens to be a mechanical engineer asked if bumped the gears for the engine to revv as it did, which I did not. The fourth occurrence was [XXX], while driving city streets and coming to a stop. I contacted Kia after the [XXX] incident and they drove the car and could not duplicate my safety concern. When the engine revvs while braking, there are no malfunction warnings messages and goes back to normal within 30 seconds or when I shift back to park and drive. As the safety issue is intermittent, not sure if there is a scheduled duplication of the occurrence. Nonetheless, in review of several complaints via NHTSA, I see a similarities in NHTSA Campaign 23-V-410 and wondering the applicability to my Sportage despite no recalls. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA #: 11680283
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: May 2025

My car is a 2023 Kia Sportage with 38,000 miles on it. I was informed upon getting my brake pads changed that my master cylinder for my brakes were not working, which is extremely dangerous and should not have happened until the car had at least 100,000 miles if ever. Not only did I have to pay out-of-pocket because Kia refused to get me in for a month so I had to go to a private repair shop to get this taken care of even though I was under warranty. This extremely concerning.

NHTSA #: 11660074
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jul 2024

I RECEIVED A LETTER LAST YEAR ABOUT BRAKE BOOSTER . KIA HAD A RECALL ON THIS I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT IT WAS A RECALL. I'M WONDERING WILL KIA STILL VALUE THE RECALL. I WILL BE GETTING MY CAR SERVIE AND INSPECTED ON 8-13.

NHTSA #: 11604935
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jun 2024

I feel shaking when I apply the brakes. I took it to Vision Kia in Canandaigua, NY, where I purchased it brand new, and they said the rotors are warped because of braking and heating up. They said that they are not under warranty. My car has 16,000 miles on it, the brakes should not be bad already.

NHTSA #: 11597334
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jun 2024

The brakes become extremely stiff, making it difficult to start the vehicle. Once the vehicle is running, the brakes leak air when pressed, and stopping distance has been noticeably increased.

NHTSA #: 11593827
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Jun 2024

Rotors are warping on car. Started after 5k miles and progressively got worse.

NHTSA #: 11593310
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Apr 2024

fallaron los frenos

NHTSA #: 11582489
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2024

Experience vibration/pulsation when braking creating poor braking ability, increased braking distance,potential loss of control. Dealer replaced original front rotors and brake pads at approximately 12000 miles. Now at 23000, the condition exists again. I believe there is a material or design issue causing premature brake wear and pulsation causing an unsafe condition.

NHTSA #: 11578360
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,BACK OVER PREVENTION
CrashFiled: Nov 2023

I parked my car. It reversed slowly and hit a wall made of metal net. I started my car, drove a little forward, and parked it again. The car is now parked as normal. I took my car to the dealer and informed them about a brake problem. They verified that it was a brake booster problem. The repair process took 21 days. I am currently attempting to claim the accident, but the Kia company is providing various reasons for potential denial.

NHTSA #: 11554455
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
CrashFiled: Sep 2023

My Kia Sportage suddenly unintentionally accelerated hitting the building in front of me. As I was parking my vehicle at Dunkin Donuts, pressing on the car brake, the car did the opposite of braking and accelerated and hit the building. My vehicle didn't stop until it hit the building. Witness was there and police was called.

NHTSA #: 11546480
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2023

Leased NEW Kia Sportage on 1/1/22 Went in for oil change on 11/11/22 3 hrs later told a "forced" update "burned" out the computer and car was not driveable On 11/30/22 was driving to work on LI expressway, car shut down without warning while I was driving, smelled something burning, called 911, car towed to dealer. Told it was defective fuel injector. 1/29/23 I reported brakes grinding and vibration sound coming from engine, RPM's rev up but car doesn't accelerate. Brakes needed to be cut. Was told since there was no "code" nothing could be done about engine sound/rpm increasing. Car was in for service 3 times because of this issue. 9/10/23 car shut down while I was driving without warning and gas smell in car was nauseating. Car would briefly start & shut down. Car towed to dealer. I have reached out to Kia Corporate numerous times expressing I am afraid to drive the car, the car is dangerous and my life and the lives of others at risk. When car shuts down, ther is NO warning, it just STOPS. I have had nightmares and lost sleep. I travel on highways & busy roads everyday. Kia wanted me to sign waiver releasing them of everything in lieu of 3 months lease payments. Expressed my life & lives of others are worth more than 3 payments. Car has had 2 recalls on top of these issues. I have reached out for help and have been ignored. 9/12/23 told by KIA corporate it would take 2 weeks to escalate my complaint. Car is currently at dealership. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA #: 11544171
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Aug 2023

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to slow the vehicle however, the brakes was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle started spinning and landed in a ditch and struck a wooden fence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,887.

NHTSA #: 11541532
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Aug 2023

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.

NHTSA #: 11540084
mediumSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Aug 2023

I was notified that my vehicle has a recall on the brake booster. My inspection was scheduled August 10, 2023 and I was advised that my vehicle was in fact a vehicle that had a defective part. The dealership has advised me that they can not provide a repair date for the recall because of parts being on back order. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle. I hear unsafe sounds coming from the brake booster and pressing the brakes already feel different. I have advised the dealership that I do not feel safe and they said that they could not do anything about it. I also contacted Kia Corporation and advised them that I do not feel safe driving the vehicle and they said that it was the dealership's responsibility to ensure that I have safe transportation. No one is taking responsibility and I am not feeling safe driving said vehicle. Someone needs to take accountability. I just purchased this vehicle brand new and have no other way to get to and from. Someone needs to contact me immediately.

NHTSA #: 11540164
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V410000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA #: 11535082
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V410000 (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 #: 11534377
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jun 2023

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V410000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA #: 11527948

Other 2023 Kia Sportage Issues