I have no rear brake light. The ESC off light comes on in the dash. I can turn on the cruise control but I can't set a speed for cruise control. I have a remote starter that has a safety switch when the brake is pressed turns the remote starter off that isn't working correctly cause there is no signal that the brake has been pressed. *tr
2008 Kia Sorento brakes problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 14 brakes complaints filed for the 2008 Kia Sorento, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report that the 2008 Sorento's brakes require pushing the pedal all the way to the floor to stop the vehicle, with no response to light pressure. One owner said the problem existed from day one despite multiple brake service visits. Another reported the pedal had to be pressed hard, yet the vehicle still took too long to brake on highways.
Two separate incidents describe brake pedal presses causing the engine to accelerate instead—one collision at 35 mph and another at low speed after a dealer brake check. Within hours of leaving the shop, that vehicle lost control again.
Front brake rotors have warped repeatedly on some vehicles; one owner replaced them three times and faced a fourth replacement by 79,000 miles. Dealers and Kia declined responsibility once warranty expired.
ABS brakes malfunction on slippery surfaces, locking wheels and causing slides even though warning lights don't illuminate. Brake squeaking that worsens over time has persisted through multiple dealer visits without diagnosis.
One vehicle has no rear brake lights and a failed brake pedal signal that disables cruise control and a remote starter's safety switch. An electrical issue with the brake system is suspected.
Nine owners received notice of NHTSA recall 20V088000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic) but dealers confirmed parts were unavailable, leaving vehicles unrepaired indefinitely.
Same Kia Sorento brakes reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Reduced brake responsiveness / extended stopping distance
Brake pedal requires full hard depression to achieve any braking effect; incremental pedal pressure produces no stopping power. Problem persists across multiple brake pad and shoe replacements and is dangerous at highway speeds and during emergency stops.
When: Reported from purchase; one case at 30,000 miles; intermittent over vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal must be pressed all the way down to engage; No braking response to light or incremental pedal pressure; Long delay between pedal input and vehicle deceleration; Unsafe braking distance, especially on highways; Problem continues after multiple brake service visits
Repairs/costs cited: Brake shoes and brake pads replaced multiple times without resolving issue; rotors replaced; master cylinder inspected but not identified as root cause
Unintended acceleration instead of braking
In at least two documented cases, pressing the brake pedal caused the vehicle to accelerate instead of decelerate. One incident resulted in collision at 35 mph; second occurred 2 hours after brake service at a dealer, resulting in loss of control and curb strike.
When: Within 3 months of purchase; post-service
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates when brake pedal is depressed; Loss of vehicle control; Collision with another vehicle; Collision with curb; Problem recurred after dealer brake inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Brakes checked and serviced at dealer; issue recurred within 2 hours of leaving shop
Front rotor warping
Front brake rotors have warped and required replacement multiple times. One owner replaced rotors three times and was facing a fourth replacement by 79,000 miles. Owner views this as a design defect rather than normal wear.
When: By 79,000 miles; multiple occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Front rotors warp repeatedly; Degraded braking performance tied to rotor condition; Multiple rotor replacements required within warranty and beyond
Repairs/costs cited: Front rotors replaced four times; owner bears cost after warranty expiration
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia declined responsibility after vehicle left warranty, per owner report
Brake squeaking / noise
Persistent squeaking sound when brake pedal is depressed; noise increases in volume over time. Dealer unable to identify cause despite multiple service visits.
When: Early in ownership; approximately 1,620 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Audible squeaking when brake pedal depressed; Noise progressively louder; No mechanical failure identified by dealer after four or five visits
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits produced no diagnosis or repair
ABS system malfunction in slippery conditions
When ABS brakes are pressed hard on slippery/snowy/icy surfaces, the pedal produces abnormal noise and feel described as a warning of lock-up, yet wheels lock up and vehicle slides. ABS and ECS warning lights do not illuminate. One incident resulted in vehicle sliding into an intersection.
When: Started occurring a year prior to complaint; winter conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise and pedal feel when braking hard on slippery surfaces; Wheels lock and vehicle slides despite warning signals; ABS warning light does not illuminate; ECS warning light does not illuminate; Occurs in 4x4 mode
Repairs/costs cited: Not inspected or repaired at time of complaint
Brake light electrical failure
No rear brake light illumination; ESC OFF light illuminates on dash. Cruise control cannot be set to a speed despite being engageable. Remote starter safety switch (brake-press activated) non-functional due to no brake signal being sent.
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brake lights not functioning; ESC OFF warning light on dash; Cruise control engages but will not set/hold speed; Remote starter safety switch inoperative; No electrical signal from brake pedal detected by vehicle systems
Recall repair unavailability (NHTSA Campaign 20V088000)
Nine complaints received notification of NHTSA Campaign 20V088000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). Multiple dealers confirmed parts required for the recall remedy were unavailable. Vehicles remained unrepaired for extended periods while manufacturer did not provide alternative remedy timeline or part sourcing.
When: Campaign issued around 2020; complaints span 2020-2021
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received but cannot be completed; Repair parts unavailable across multiple dealers; One case noted vehicle overheated at 4 mph with failed recall notice; One case noted intermittent check engine light with recall notice; Manufacturer acknowledged delays in recall completion
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs performed; parts distribution documented as disconnected
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V088000 issued for electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic; repair parts unavailable; manufacturer informed some owners of unavailability; parts distribution confirmed disconnected
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Kia sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v088000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called gossett Kia south (2680 mt moriah rd, memphis, tn 38115;(901) 328-8173) where it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the…
Had brakes trouble with your 2008 Kia Sorento?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2008 Kia Sorento?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 30,000 and 69,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 69,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Kia/Sorento.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.