Brake failures are the dominant complaint across these 81 narratives. Owners describe spongy pedals that go to the floor, sudden loss of all braking power while driving, and brake components literally falling apart—one owner found a brake pad on the road after a failure. Multiple owners report brake fluid leaks and calipers that lock up permanently, causing severe drag and burning.
A critical pattern emerges: Kia issued NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 for hydraulic brake system failures in 2011 Sorentos, but recall parts remain unavailable for years after notification. Owners waiting for repair are driving vehicles they know are defective. Three vehicles caught fire in engine compartments while awaiting this recall repair, with one resulting in a total loss at 223,000 miles and another at 70,000 miles.
Master cylinder replacements don't solve the problem—one owner had hers replaced three times, with air in the system that no amount of bleeding could clear. Dealers sometimes deny warranty coverage, claim repeated failures are "bad parts," or request "special permission" to repair vehicles still under factory warranty.
Owners also report ABS and brake warning lights that illuminate unpredictably, sometimes accompanied by loss of power steering and inability to shift gears. Brake lamp switches fail, preventing brake lights from functioning—a serious safety issue when rear-ended. One owner's vehicle caught fire shortly after backup while reversing, with the fire originating near the starter motor.
Failure modes owners describe
Brake fluid leakage and brake component failure
Multiple owners report brake pedal loss of function, spongy pedal feel, loss of braking power, and brake fluid leaks. Some vehicles experienced complete brake failure resulting in crashes, with brake pads and components found separated from assemblies during operation.
When: Varies; reports from early ownership to 285,000 miles; incidents include new vehicle purchases with failure within days
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal loss of pressure; Spongy brake pedal; Brakes failing to stop vehicle; Brake fluid leaks; Brake pads and components separating or falling apart; Brake pedal goes to floor
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic)
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple owners cite replacement of master cylinders (often replaced multiple times without resolution), calipers, brake pads, rotors, brake lines, and brake boosters. One owner reports master cylinder replaced three times and ABS module replaced with continued failure. Costs vary; one repair estimate mentioned $250+ labor difference between dealers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) issued; however, multiple owners report parts remain unavailable for extended periods. Dealers state bad parts or request special permission to repair under warranty. No recall notification provided to some owners per complaints.
Fire originating in engine compartment or electrical system
Multiple owners report vehicle fires originating under the hood or engine compartment. One fire resulted in total loss at 223,000 miles with owner injuries; another at 70,000 miles with vehicle burned to ground; one at 100,000 miles with flames near starter motor. Common element: vehicles awaiting NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 brake recall repair with unavailable parts.
When: 70,000 miles; 100,000 miles; 223,000 miles. Events occurred after notification of pending recall repair.
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke coming from under hood; Smoke in vehicle interior; Flames visible in engine compartment; Burning odor detected before fire; Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle fire spreading rapidly to total loss
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light, NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports fire department report filed, third-party engineer examination ordered but report not yet provided. Another: vehicle deemed total loss, fire department extinguished fire. One: owner used hand-held fire extinguisher; mechanic later diagnosed positive battery cable stuck against shift cable causing short circuit and recommended out-of-pocket repair (not performed).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) identified in narratives. Manufacturer notified in some cases; third-party engineer investigation initiated in at least one case. Recall repair parts unavailable, preventing preventive repair before fires occurred.
ABS and brake warning light illumination with brake function loss
Wheels lock unexpectedly during normal driving with ABS light on, or ABS light illuminates intermittently. Vehicle loses power steering and braking functionality when theft prevention or other warning lights activate. Replacement of sensors and HECU units attempted with mixed results.
When: 156,000 miles; 117,757 miles; unspecified speeds and conditions
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminated; Wheels lock-up suddenly during normal operation; Loss of braking power with lights on; Loss of power steering with warning lights; Traction control light illumination; Hill Assist light illumination; Lights blinking on and off intermittently
Codes mentioned: HECU (Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit) Pressure Sensor failure, ABS unit failure, DTC fault codes (cleared by first dealer, retrieved at second), C1260, 934490RU0
Repairs/costs cited: HECU pressure sensor and ABS unit replacement quoted but not performed in one case. Clock spring and angular velocity sensor replaced in another case (vehicle repaired). One owner reports brake controller replacement resolved issue temporarily before recurrence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty claim denied in one case despite diagnosis by dealer mechanic. No manufacturer recall mentioned for this specific failure mode.
Brake pedal sensor and brake lamp switch malfunction
Brake lamp switch fails or sensor malfunction prevents brake lights from illuminating when pedal pressed, and prevents transmission from engaging Park or Reverse gears. Related to electrical short in brake line per one dealer diagnosis.
When: Unspecified mileage in most reports; one at 72,078 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lamps not illuminating when brake pedal pressed; Vehicle unable to enter Park or Reverse gear; Shifter unable to engage gears; ESC light illumination; DBC light illumination; Traction control light illumination; Incline control light illumination
Codes mentioned: Brake line short circuit (per dealer diagnosis), ABS sensor fault, Traction control sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers report brake line short in sensor area. One dealer stated workaround of turning vehicle off in neutral and restarting resets computer. One owner reports disconnecting and reconnecting sensor temporarily clears lights but they return.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner cites recall for 2006–2011 Kia Sorento brake lamp switch but reports VIN not showing as part of recall despite same symptoms.
Brake drag and caliper lock-up
Rear brake calipers fail to release, causing continuous dragging, excessive heat, and accelerated brake wear. One instance involved caliper slippage with simultaneous brake and rotor failure.
When: Unspecified in most; one at 136,000 miles after brake service
Symptoms owners cite: Brake drag with vehicle pulling to one side; Grinding noise from brakes; Excessive heat from brakes; Groove worn into rotor by locked brake pads; Rear of vehicle dragging; Dragging noise underneath vehicle; Poor fuel economy due to brake drag
Repairs/costs cited: Caliper replacement required. One owner reports rear right wheel speed sensor replaced at 136,000 miles with ABS, brake, and traction lights still illuminated. Another reports calipers slipped, requiring replacement of brake pads and rotors; owner also noted garage leak.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in narratives for this failure mode.
Brake pedal play and delayed engagement with multiple master cylinder failures
Brake pedal exhibits excessive play before engaging, and after master cylinder replacement remains ineffective with air in system that cannot be bled out despite multiple replacement attempts and manual bleeding procedures.
When: Approximately 21 days into repair cycle; vehicle at dealership for extended duration
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive brake pedal play before engaging; Brake pedal goes almost to floor after replacement; Air in brake system persists after bleeding; Brake pedal unresponsive after repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replaced three times at dealership. Mechanical and manual bleeding methods unsuccessful. ABS module replaced. KIA engineer called to site for investigation (repair duration 21 days). Owner suspects first replacement used rebuild kit instead of new part.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: KIA engineer dispatched to dealership to investigate after multiple failed repairs.
Burning odors from engine compartment or cabin without immediate ignition
Owners report abnormal burning plastic or electrical odors from engine compartment or entering cabin during startup or normal operation. Often accompanied by warning lights. In some cases, odor preceded vehicle fires.
When: Unspecified in most cases; mileage ranges 90,000–230,000
Symptoms owners cite: Burning plastic odor in cabin; Burning odor from engine compartment; Odor detected while starting vehicle; Odor detected during normal operation; Odor detected after parking
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs performed in most cases; dealers unable to determine cause or advised no fix available. One case: vehicle towed to independent mechanic; cause could not be determined.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers contacted in multiple cases; no fix available per dealer response. Related to NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 in some owner assessments.
Electrical charging system malfunction with alternator failure
Voltage fluctuates between 11.2 and 19.20 volts during driving and idling, causing erratic operation of lights, radio, and electrical systems. Diagnosed as alternator failure requiring replacement.
When: Unspecified mileage; vehicle receiving NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 recall notification
Symptoms owners cite: Voltage fluctuation between 11.2 and 19.20 volts; Lights illuminating and extinguishing erratically; Radio turning on and off; Electrical systems suddenly activating; Battery drained despite replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replaced by independent mechanic. Battery was replaced before mechanic diagnosis; failure persisted. Owner had to disconnect negative cable for several minutes to reset charging system.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; vehicle was at dealership but no repair provided before owner sought independent mechanic.
Synthesized from 81 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.