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severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Of the 12 brakes complaints filed for the 2009 Kia Sportage, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
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.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
A fire increases the risk of injury.
The 2009 Kia Sportage has a pattern of brake system defects that owners describe as safety-critical. The most common issue is HECU (Hydraulic Control Unit) corrosion caused by moisture and road salt entering the engine compartment. Owners report warning lights (brake, ABS, ESC) illuminating, and in one case DTC code C2380 triggering, which Kia's own recall (SC138, Rev 1) says requires HECU replacement. However, dealers are refusing to perform this recall repair outside of warranty, even though safety recalls have no legal time limit. One owner reports the dealer has changed its excuse multiple times to avoid the repair.
Stop lamp switch failures disable brake lights entirely, with one owner reporting they only get the center brake light strip working. Kia issued recall 13V114000 in 2013 to replace this switch, but owners say the condition returns even after the recall replacement.
A critical hazard: one owner reports complete brake failure at 30 mph descending a slope, resulting in an uncontrolled intersection entry. Another describes the brakes engaging without pedal input at 40 mph. A third found their ABS module leaking brake fluid—a potential total brake loss scenario. Rear brake seizure from corrosion happens repeatedly in winter climates, sometimes four times in four years despite component replacement. One owner also discovered a melted wiring harness during recall notification, suggesting thermal failure risk.
Recall campaign 22V800000 parts remained unavailable for extended periods, leaving owners unable to perform necessary repairs on vehicles with known defects.
Same Kia Sportage brakes reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2011 · 2012
The HECU circuit board corrodes and fails, typically triggered by moisture and road salt exposure to the engine compartment. DTC code C2380 is pulled when this occurs. Kia issued a recall (referenced as SC138, Rev 1) to replace the HECU when this code appears, but dealers have denied warranty claims and post-recall repairs, citing warranty expiration and prior recall examinations as reasons not to perform the replacement.
When: Reported at 55K miles (initial purchase mileage) with failure after exposure to Wisconsin winters; also at 93,157 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light illuminated on dash; ESC (Electronic Stability Control) light illuminated; ABS warning light illuminated; Multiple warning lights after recall repair completion; DTC code C2380
Codes mentioned: C2380
Repairs/costs cited: HECU replacement required per recall. Dealer attempted to lengthen brake lines 3–4 inches during prior recall exam, which complicated replacement. Cost of out-of-warranty replacement quoted around $2,500 by one owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall SC138, Rev 1 (initially addressed 2/6/2017) calls for HECU replacement when C2380 code occurs. NHTSA Campaign 16V815000 (Electrical System) and 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). Kia America stated responsibility lies entirely with dealer; manufacturer claims zero influence over dealer compliance.
The stop lamp switch fails, disabling brake lights and triggering erratic ESC and cruise control behavior. NHTSA Campaign 13V114000 addressed this in 2013 with a replacement, but owners report the condition persists after the recall repair was performed, indicating either incomplete repair or recurring failure of the replacement switch.
When: 2013 recall replacement performed; recurrence reported later. One failure at approximately 25,848 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights not illuminating when pedal depressed (only center brake light strip works); ESC OFF light illuminating without reason; Cruise control engaging but not setting/holding; Intermittent brake light failures
Repairs/costs cited: Stop lamp switch replacement. Dealers reported switch was already replaced per 2013 recall, preventing free replacement on recurrence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 13V114000 (Exterior Lighting, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) issued in 2013. Some vehicles later excluded from campaign despite exhibiting identical symptoms.
The HCU fails and causes the brakes to engage without driver input while the vehicle is in motion. The ESC indicator illuminates concurrently. This represents an uncontrolled braking hazard while driving at normal speeds.
When: At 86,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ESC indicator light illuminated; Brakes engage without brake pedal being depressed; Intermittent occurrence; Happens at normal driving speeds (40 mph)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed HCU failure but vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified; no response documented.
The ABS module develops a leak, allowing brake fluid to escape. This represents a safety hazard because loss of brake fluid can result in total brake failure. Owners report the ABS module should not leak fluid regardless of whether the ABS function is operating.
When: Timing not specified; owner notes ABS failure occurred sooner than expected
Symptoms owners cite: ABS module failure; Brake fluid leaking from ABS module; Loss of ABS function
Repairs/costs cited: ABS module replacement quoted at approximately $2,500. Dealers characterized as defective part and safety hazard.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
During notification of NHTSA Campaign 22V800000, an owner discovered the wiring harness had melted in the HECU area. This indicates a thermal or electrical failure in the brake control system that poses a fire risk, as referenced in the recall bulletin.
When: During recall notification period; repair parts not yet available
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal sound from brake area; Wiring harness melted near HECU; Recall parts unavailable at time of discovery
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired due to parts unavailability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) issued but parts distribution was disconnected, preventing repair.
Rear brake rotors and pads seize after prolonged parking or exposure to winter conditions and road salt. Corrosion builds up internally, leading to repeated seizures. One owner experienced this failure four times over four years (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), indicating the defect is not corrected by routine replacement.
When: First occurrence reported 6/11/2010 at unknown mileage; recurred in 2011, 2012, and 2013
Symptoms owners cite: Brake seizure after winter storage or prolonged parking; Corrosion on rear brake rotors and pads; Premature brake wear and pad degradation; Grinding noise during braking
Repairs/costs cited: Rear brake rotors and pads replaced on 6/11/2010 and recurrences treated with additional replacements. One owner reported replacement of front brakes before 80,000 miles, with salt corrosion of caliper grease locking calipers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
The brakes fail entirely to stop the vehicle, producing only grinding noise. The driver loses all braking ability while descending a slope at 30 mph and enters an intersection uncontrolled. This is a critical safety failure.
When: Timing and mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: No braking response when pedal depressed; Grinding noise from brakes; Total loss of stopping ability
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Owners notified of NHTSA Campaign 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) but could not obtain repair because parts were unavailable for an extended period. This left vehicles with known safety defects unrepaired and unusable.
When: During recall campaign period (campaign 22V800000)
Symptoms owners cite: No failure reported in some cases but parts unavailable; Melted wiring harness and abnormal sounds in other cases
Repairs/costs cited: Parts distribution disconnect prevented recall completion.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). Manufacturer instructed owners to contact dealer for assistance but parts were not distributed.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
My anti lock brakes module or called ABS. I took the car to my mechanic and he said, the ABS should not have went out this soon. He also said the ABS is leaking brake fluid. This is a safety hazard. A ABS module should not leak brake, even if it is not working. If I have not went to my mechanic, I could have lost my brakes. I got it at Kia of bradley 1010 tighe dr, bradley, il 60914 (815)…
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was determined that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Kia sportage. While driving 40 MPH, the ESC indicator illuminated and the brakes engaged without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic control unit failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…
Cpsc: i1480398a. 2009 Kia sportage. Consumer stated that the front brakes were with replaced with less than 80,000. *ln it was reported that salt corrodes the grease on the calipers locking them up.
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
Based on the 12 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 48,972 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover brakes issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.