PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess assembly oil applied during assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Kia Sportage brakes problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
3injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2012 Kia Sportage describe three distinct brake problems. The first involves sudden loss of braking effectiveness accompanied by loud grinding noise. One owner reported the brakes failed to respond normally on three separate occasions within the first 80 miles of ownership, requiring excessive pedal pressure to stop the vehicle. The noise was described as so severe it sounded like chains around the calipers. During one event while traveling at 45 mph, instrument cluster lights flashed on and off. The dealership was unable to reproduce the issue or identify a fault.
The second problem is a hydraulic brake system defect tied to NHTSA recall 23V652000. Nine owners reported receiving recall notifications but found repair parts unavailable for extended periods, with manufacturers confirming parts were not yet distributed. One owner reported a check engine light and engine ticking sound during the recall wait period, though diagnostic work was deferred.
The third issue involves brake pedal grip padding separating from the pedal during driving. One owner reported the padding fell off while driving at 65 mph on the freeway, creating a slippery pedal surface and potentially blocking pedal movement, which led to loss of vehicle control and a collision with toll lane dividers. The same owner stated the padding has continued to fall off repeatedly. The dealership denied a manufacturing defect without inspecting the vehicle.
Same Kia Sportage brakes reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Brake loss of effectiveness with grinding noise
Brakes suddenly lose stopping power and produce loud grinding noise. Owner reports needing excessive pedal pressure to stop the vehicle. Occurs intermittently in the first 80 miles of ownership. Instrument cluster lights flashed during one event. Dealership could not reproduce or find fault.
When: First 80 miles of ownership; at traffic light stops
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding noise (described as chains wrapped around calipers); Loss of braking effectiveness requiring hard pedal pressure; Instrument cluster lights flashing on and off
Hydraulic brake system defect subject to recall 23V652000
2012 Kia Sportage received NHTSA recall notification 23V652000 for Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Repair parts not available at time of complaint submission. Multiple owners report manufacturer has exceeded reasonable timeframe for recall repair completion. One owner reports check engine light and abnormal ticking sound from engine (unrelated to hydraulic brakes but occurred during recall wait period).
When: At approximately 63,000 miles for owner who experienced check engine light; applicable to all 2012 model year vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received; Check engine warning light illuminated (one owner); Abnormal engine ticking sound (one owner)
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign Number 23V652000
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); recall parts not yet available as of complaint dates; manufacturer confirmed parts unavailable
Brake pedal grip padding detachment
Brake pedal grip padding falls off during driving, creating slippery pedal surface and potentially blocking pedal movement. Owner reports grip padding has continued to fall off repeatedly. Incident occurred at highway speeds (65 mph) resulting in loss of vehicle control and collision with toll lane dividers. Dealership denied manufacturing defect without inspection.
When: At 65 mph on freeway; recurring during subsequent driving
Symptoms owners cite: Grip padding separates from brake pedal; Slippery brake pedal surface; Grip padding blocking pedal operation; Loss of vehicle control at highway speed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership service department denied manufacturing defect without vehicle inspection
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The contact owns a 2012 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…
Had brakes trouble with your 2012 Kia Sportage?
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 2012 Kia Sportage?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 33,300 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.
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/2012/Kia/Sportage.
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.