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 ↗2013 Kia Sportage brakes problems
severe 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
1fire
1injury
What stands out
Among the 19 model years of Kia Sportage in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
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.
TSB: GROANING NOISE FROM BRAKE SYSTEM (SA169) - This bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the front brake pads on some 2013MY Sportage (SL) vehicles, produced from November 1, 2012 through December 8, 2012, which may exhibit a loud groaning noise coming from the front brake pads.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a cluster of brake-system failures and related engine issues. Brake grabbing and excessive hardness appear early in ownership, followed by loud grinding noises from front brakes despite multiple dealer cleaning and resurfacing attempts. Several owners report warped rotors and complete brake-pad-caliper failure as early as 18,000 miles. One critical case involved total brake failure on approach to a junction, causing a crash with injuries.
Engine stalling without warning is common, occurring at various speeds and mileages—sometimes with no warning lights, sometimes with check-engine illumination. One owner's engine required complete replacement at 50,000 miles. Another vehicle developed an electrical short to the battery and starter, causing recurring stalls. A 2013 Sportage with 218,000 miles experienced an engine compartment fire that self-extinguished.
A significant portion of complaints involve NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic)—nearly half the complaints cite this recall. Owners consistently report that parts for this recall remain unavailable long after notification, with manufacturers acknowledging delays that have "exceeded a reasonable amount of time." Diagnostic issues compound the problem: one dealer misdiagnosed an ABS warning light as a failed gas cap and replaced it twice without solving the actual fault. Infotainment systems fail intermittently, suggesting broader electrical control problems tied to the brake-system hydraulic electronics unit (HECU) covered under the recall.
Same Kia Sportage brakes reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Brake grabbing and hardness
Brakes grab or feel excessively tight, particularly on dry roads. One owner reported tighter brakes after dealer service, though symptoms partially improved.
When: Early ownership, ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: brakes grab on dry roads; overly tight brake feel; inconsistent brake response
Repairs/costs cited: JT's Kia (dealer) performed unspecified work; owner noted tighter brakes afterward but underlying power-loss issue persisted
Engine stalling and loss of power
Vehicle loses power without warning while driving at normal speeds or going uphill. No warning lights illuminate in some cases; check engine light in others. Engine failure confirmed in at least one case requiring replacement.
When: Throughout ownership range; 50,000 miles reported in one case
Symptoms owners cite: complete loss of power while driving; inability to restart after stalling; loss of power going uphill; no warning lights; check engine light illumination
Codes mentioned: engine failure diagnosed
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle required engine replacement; dealer unable to complete work. Another diagnosed with electrical short circuit to battery and starter; repairs did not resolve recurring stalls.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and engine warranty extension mentioned; manufacturer denied coverage when timeframe exceeded
Front brake noise and grinding
Loud sandpaper-like grinding noise from front brakes, especially when backing up or after cold soak. Noise persists despite multiple dealer cleaning attempts, rotor resurfacing, and graphite coating applications. Hard braking produces internal grinding sound.
When: Around 13,000–14,000 miles; recurring across multiple service visits
Symptoms owners cite: extreme loud grinding noise from front brakes; noise during backing up; noise subsides after driving then returns; internal grinding when hard braking; noise persists despite cleaning and coating
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer cleaned rotors multiple times, sprayed rotors, applied graphite base coating; all attempts failed to resolve noise. Dealer offered goodwill rotor and pad replacement but wanted customer to waive further claims.
Warped rotors and brake component failure
Brake rotors warp, causing violent shaking during braking. Subsequent inspection revealed pads, rotors, and calipers all failed and required replacement at relatively low mileage.
When: 18,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: violent shaking when depressing brake pedal; warped rotors; brake pads failed; brake calipers failed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer repaired warped rotors initially; later inspection found brake pads, rotors, and calipers all requiring replacement. Vehicle not repaired per narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure
Engine fire
Smoke visible inside cabin at stop light, then smoke and flames observed coming from under hood while parking. Fire self-extinguished without fire department intervention.
When: 218,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: smoke from cabin vents at stop light; smoke from under hood; flames visible from front of vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not yet towed; cause of fire not determined
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VIN included in NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); owner indicated vehicle experienced failure listed in recall
Complete brake failure
Total loss of braking ability on approach to junction despite repeated brake pedal pumping. Resulted in crash and injuries. Cruise control failed to deactivate when brake pedal applied.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: complete brake failure; brake pedal depressed but no braking action; cruise control not deactivated by brake pedal; resulted in collision
Repairs/costs cited: Currently under investigation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed; investigation ongoing
Electrical issues and starting failure
Check engine light illumination with abnormal engine ticking on startup. Vehicle fails to start after parking and becomes undrivable. Burning odor present near engine compartment in related case.
When: 55,000 miles in one case; 94,864 miles in another
Symptoms owners cite: abnormal ticking sound on startup; check engine warning light; vehicle fails to start; burning odor from engine compartment; vehicle becomes undrivable
Codes mentioned: unknown sensor replaced in one case
Repairs/costs cited: One independent mechanic replaced unknown sensor but failure persisted. Another case diagnosed with electrical short circuit to battery and starter; repair did not prevent recurrence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 noted; part availability issue delays repair. Manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for recall repair.
ABS warning light with gas cap misdiagnosis
ABS warning light illuminates while driving. Dealer incorrectly diagnosed as failed gas cap and replaced it twice; warning light recurred both times. Actual root cause remains unknown.
When: 87,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illumination at 30 MPH; warning light recurs after gas cap replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Gas cap replaced twice by dealer; both repairs failed to resolve warning light. Vehicle not repaired for actual issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner received notification of NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 and scheduled dealer appointment
Infotainment system inoperability
Infotainment system intermittently inoperable. Related to broader electrical or hydraulic control issues indicated by recall campaign.
When: 68,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: infotainment system intermittently inoperable
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired due to recall part unavailability
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 noted; part not available for recall repair
Brake fluid and rust issues with radiator leak
Brakes make abnormal noise and show surface rust. Radiator leaking fluid simultaneously. Brake fluid level required attention.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: abnormal brake noise at various speeds; brake rust; radiator fluid leak
Repairs/costs cited: Brake fluid added and brakes replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2013 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 2013 Kia Sportage?
It's a meaningful issue. 24 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 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 18,000 and 87,000 miles, with the median around 55,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,000; a quarter make it past 87,000. 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/2013/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.